Sri Kurmam Kurmanatha Temple, also known as Kurmanathaswamy Temple, in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh is one of the unique temples of India dedicated to Kurma Avatar (Tortoise) of Lord Vishnu.
Sri Kurmam Kurmanatha Temple Andhra Pradesh
Srikurmam Temple is one of the most ancient and sacred temples located in Andhra Pradesh, India. Situated in the town which bears the name of presiding deity of the temple, Sri Kurmam, this holy shrine, which is more than a million years old, has always attracted devotees of Lord Vishnu from all over the world. The village is located about 13 km east of the Srikakulam town.
Unique Temple dedicated to Kurma Avatar
The main deity of Sri Kurmam Temple is Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in the form of Kurma (tortoise) Avatara. In fact, it is regarded as the only ‘swyambhu’ temple in the world where Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Kurma Avatara. The image of the Lord is not sculpted by a man, but it is believed to be a real fossil of a large turtle. The head is shaped like that of a Kurmam and the tail is represented by a saligrama presented by Adi Shankaracharya.
Srikurmam Temple Architecture
This temple is specifically known for its marvellous architecture. The southern entrance is adorned by some of the finest examples of classical Indian sculpture. The temple also has 108 pillars, where no pillar is identical to one another. The walls on the temple are beautified with mural paintings and frescoes, which are made up of natural colours. The frescoes found in Sri Kurmam temple bear a great deal of resemblance to the frescoes found in the caves of Ajanta and Ellora.Unlike the majority of temples in India, the chief deity is facing the west and therefore, the temple has two flag posts or Dwaja Stambhaas, one in the east and one in the west.Interestingly, the temple also has an underground tunnel, called Kaasi Dwaram, which goes to Varanasi, which is located more than a thousand kilometres away.
Legends of Srikurmam Temple
According to legend, a pious king, known as Sweta Maharaj, observed severe penance for several years at a stretch. To fulfil the wish of his devotee, Lord Vishnu manifested here in form of the Kurma Avataar. The lake in front the temple, called Sweta Puskarini, is believed to have been formed by the Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu.
Kurmanathaswamy Temple Festivals
Apart from the daily prayers and rituals, one of the biggest festivals organized in the temple is the 3 day Dolotsavam. The day of the festival falls on the day of Falguna Paurnami every year. Apart from that, one day festivals like Kalyanotsavam and Mukkoti ekadasi are also organised. One day annual Janmadinam (also called Kurma Jayanthi) is celebrated on the day of Jyeshta Bahula Dwadesi. So, if you want to immerse yourself in the glory of Lord Vishnu or just marvel at the grandeur of ancient architecture, then the Sri Kurmam temple is a must visit.Temple Location
The Sri Kurmam Temple is located in the village of Sri Kurmam, which is situated in the Gara Mandal of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh. The village is situated on the North-eastern Coast of Andhra Pradesh, facing the Bay of Bengal.Sri Kurmam is connected with regular bus services from Srikakulam bus station. Srikakulam Road Station, located at the Amadalavalasa railhead of Srikakulam town, is the nearest railway station, 23 km away. Visakhapatnam International Airport is located 125 km from Srikurmam.
Contact Address
Srikurmanadha TempleSrikurmam,
Srikakulam District
Andhra Pradesh, India
Pin code: 532404
Phone: +91 8942283555, 9491000669, 9951173104, 9491573249
Darshan/Pooja Timings
The temple opens daily from 6:00 AM to 7:45 PM with very short breaks.Nearby Attraction
Surya Narayana Temple at Arasavilli, dedicated to Sun God, is around 2 km from Srikakulam bus stand and on the way to Sri Kurmanatha Temple.--
Related Posts
--
Comments
Post a Comment