Places to visit at Srikakulam

Srikakulam is a city in AndhraPradesh, India. It borders Orissa from one side and Bay Of Bengal from other. Few of my relatives live here so I planned to visit them as well. This was my first trip with my daughter. Her first trip ofcourse she doesn't understand anything but I m glad that she doesnt cry when she travels and eats well. Like many other south india tourist places Srikakulam also gives us some beautiful ancient temples.

Arsavalli

Its 1.6km from main city. It is one of the very limited temples of Sun god. I knew about Konark sun temple in odisha but in konark there is no idol all the doors of the temples are sealed. Arsavalli temple is constructed in such a way that twice a year in February and June the sun rays touches the feet of the idol in the temple during dawn. The idols are carved out of single black granite stone.

Our next spot was

Srikurmam.

Srikurmam is around 12kms from Arsavalli. Its on the same route. Its 10km straight drive then a right turn to enter into the Srikurmam Village. Its a Vishnu temple.

Main attraction of the temple is tortoises. There are many small and cute tortoises in the temple premises with a special star mark on their back.

Even the idol inside the temple is tortoise. Its god vishnu's kurmam avatar. As per the priest its god vishnu himself came here as kurmam avatar. Several inscriptions are engraved on the walls and pillars of the temple. Don't miss 10 idols of 10 different avatars of god vishnu made of granite stone is placed in the premises of the temple.

Sri Mukhalingam

50km from Srikakulam main town towards Narasanpeta. 28Kms Straight drive on Srikakulam-Narasanpeta road then turn left and another 22Kms on Paralakhemundi-Narasanpeta road to reach Srimukhalingam village. There are few temples in entrance of the village, but we decided to visit them while returning. Srimukhalingam was built in 9th century during Chalukyan and Orissian rulers. This shiva linga has face thats why called as Mukhalingeswar and its also called Madhukeswar called this lingam came from Madhulu (roots) of a neem tree. This temple was made during the reign of Ananta Verma King, its almost 2300 years old, and there is a mud vessel inside the temple which is 500 years old.

Sri Bhimeswar temple

There are two other temples Sri Bhimeswar and Sri Someswar temple. Bhimeswar temple is close to Madhukeswar temple just on other side of the road. This temple faces east with many stone sculptures inside the temple.

Sri Someswar temple

The last one is Sri Someswar temple situated at the entrance of the village. A huge polished linga is enshrined in the sanctorum. This temple faces west, with 9 planets engraved at the entrance door. This temple is beautifully decorated with intricate designs.