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About Samalkot

Samalkot is a small town in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the mandal headquarters of Kakinada rural. The city is strategically located in the East-Godavari district. The most important Pancharama Shri Kumararama Bheemeshwara Swamy temple is situated in Samalkot right next to the railway station.

Location and Demography of Samalkot

Samalkot is located at 17.0500°N 82.1833°E and has an average elevation of 9 meters. given below is the location guide of Samalkot.

About Samalkot

According to 2001 census Samalkot had a total population of 73, 602. The average literacy rate was 70% which was way higher than the national average rate of 59.5%. Male literacy rate was 75% and female literacy rate was 66%.

Economy of Samalkot

Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RInfra) announced securing the EPC contract of a 2,400 megawatts (3,200,000 hp) gas-based Combined Cycle Power Project at Samalkot. The East-Godavri district is a gas rich belt and the project is strategically located here. It is in fact one of the largest power plant to be set up in the country. Gas and steam turbines have already been placed at the project site and work is on in full swing.

Transportation of Samalkot

Samalkot Railway Station


About SamalkotRailways are the lifeline of the country. It connects the entire length and breadth of the country. Although Samalkot is a small city, it is well connected via rail network to other towns of the state and the neighboring states.

Samalkot railway station is an important junction Visakhapatnam – Vijayawada section of Howrah-Chennai main line.

Airports near Samalkot


Nearest domestic airport – Rajahmundry (64km)
Nearest international airport – Vishakhapatnam (161km)

Places to see in Samalkot

Samalkot Brihadeshwara Temple


About SamalkotIt is one of the main tourist attractions of Samalkot. The Samalkot Brihaeshwara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It attracts a lot of local tourists and devotees from different parts of the country. Maha Shivratri is one of the most popular festivals which is celebrated with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm.
The temple was built by Chalukya Kumara rama (son of Vikramaditya) during the end of 9th century. The temple structure resembles the other Pancharama temple at Draksharama which is also called Bhimeswara Alayam. The main entrance of the temple is popularly known as Surya Dwaram. The intricate carvings and magnificent architecture of the temple are its main highlights. A beautiful state of Goddess Shri Bala Thripura Sundari can also be seen at the temple. Eka Shila Nandi is kept at the temple entrance opposite to Shiva lingam while for darshan of Shiva Lingam devotees need to go to the first floor. To the east of the temple there is a mantap called Koneti from where one can see the Pushkarni (Pushkarini) Lake.

History of Samalkot Brihadeshwara Temple

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and he is referred to as Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy here. Experts believe that the Shiv Lingam installed at the temple was done by Lord Kumaraswamy. Since the architecture of the temple is Dravidian style and it was built by King Chalukya Bhima – thus, the name is Bhimeswara. Another interesting legend about the Shiv Lingam at the temple states that during Tarakasura vadha, the Shiva Linga broke into five pieces and one of the pieces fell here. Since then the temple is called Kumararama. Kumara Swamy, the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati established Lord Bhimeswara Swamy’s idol at the temple. The construction of the temple began in 892 AD and continued with 922 AD.

Architecture of Samalkot Brihadeshwara Temple

The beautiful temple is one of the main tourist attractions of the region. The 16 feet limestone Shiv Lingam is the main highlight of the temple. It rises from the pedestal on the ground floor and enters the second floor by piercing the roof, where the Rudrabhaga is worshipped. There is a magnificent mandappam supported by 100 pillars. The four gopura - dvaras have ardha - mandapas on either side. The inner wall is divided into two sections and separated by a cornice. There is also a two storeyed pillared mandapa inside the temple.

Ekasila Nandi, a bull carved out from a single stone stands at the entrance of the temple guarding the Shiv Lingam. The main entrance of the temple is called Surya Dwaram and it is adorned with increate carvings.

Recent excavations done at the temple yielded numerous figures dating back to almost a 1000 years. All these figures are now preserved at the temple premises itself.

Daily abhishek is carried out at the temple during November – December. A gala celebration called Kalayana Mahotsav is carried out at the temple during February – March.

Timings – 6:00 am – 12:00pm; 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm


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