Religious Tourism

Arasavilli

The famous Sun God Temple situated in Arasavalli Village which is at a distance of about 1 K.M. east of SRIKAKULAM Town in Andhra Pradesh head quarters of the coastal district in Andhra Pradesh . It is one of the ancient and all among two sun God temples in our Country. According to Padmapuranam , Sage Kasyapa installed the Idol of Surya at Arasavalli for the Welfare of mankind . Therefore , the Surya is of Kasyapasa Gotra . He is also termed as planetary King . The ‘ Sthalapuranam ‘ of the temple narrates that lord Devendra had founded this temple and installed the existing idol of the sun God commonly known as Lord suryanarayana Swamy Varu under the following circumstances . Once Lord Devendra , Ignoring the words of Dwarapalaka Nandi , attempted to force his entry for Darshan of Sri Rudrakoteswara Swamy varu at an untimely hour when Lord siva was along with his consort . The Dwarapalaka Nandi in the discharge of his duties kicked the intruder.

Srikurmam

srikurmam is one of the ancient and famous temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the village called as Srikurmam. Sri Kurmam is the second form of Lord Vishnu wherein He takes the Avatara (form) of a Tortoise and hence the Lord here is called as “Sri Kurmanatha”. This is the only temple in the entire country where Lord Vishnu is seen in “Kurmavatara”. Some inscriptions has it that the presiding deity of this temple Lord Shiva and was worshipped by Saivaites (devotees of Lord Siva). It was later change to Vaishnavite by Sri Ramanujacharya – the most important philosopher and saint of Sri Vaishnavam (sect of people who worship Lord Vishnu). The temple is supposed to have been built out of a face rock. There are many inscriptions on the pillars of the temple, most of them in Devanagari (scripting language) script dating from 11th to 19th century AD. The architecture of the temple is magnificent with beautiful sculpture, paintings and carvings. You just cannot move your eyes off the carvings.

Pilgrim Attractions

Ancient temple constructed between 9th and 11th Centuries in it’s prestine form
The Trinity of Madhukeswara, Someswara and Bheemeswara Temples
The Lingam is formed by the trunk of Madhuca tree with a naturally carved face
Architecture grandeur of red stone sculpture
On the banks of beautiful river Vamsadhara
protected by Central Archeological Department

Salihundam

Salihundam is a village and panchayat in Gara Mandal of SRIKAKULAM district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is situated on the south bank of River Vamsadhara at a distance of 5 kilometers west of Kalingapatnam and 18 kilometers from SRIKAKULAM town. It was known as Salivatika(meaning rice emporium). But many called it “Salyapetika” (meaning box of bones or relics). There are a number of Buddhist stupas and a huge monastic complex on a hillock amidst scenic surroundings. The site was first discovered by Gidugu Venkata Rama Murthy in 1919. During excavations relic caskets, four stupas, a Chaityagriha, structural emples and a number of sculptures reflecting the three phases of Buddhism – Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana were found dating back to about 2nd century BC to 12th century AD. The statues of ‘Tara'[1] and Marichi were discovered at this site and from here Buddhism spread to Sumatra and other far-eastern countries.

Srimukhalingam

Srimukhalingeswara Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the left banks of River Vamsadhara. Elegantly carved, this temple is a group of three temples dedicated to three forms of Lord Shiva namely, Mukhalingeswara, Bhimeswara and Someswara. The temple is built in Indo-Aryan style. To witness one of the marvellous sculptures, carvings and intricate architecture, one has to visit this temple. The architecture of the temple is so elegant that one just cannot move eyes from it. As you observe closely, you can see that every piece and corner of the temple is as excellent as the other. At the entrance, which is a huge arched gate, you are welcomed by two lions on each side of the few stair-cases. The first gate takes you to the outer prakara have where there is you a Nandi in a mandapam.

Mandasa

This Place is situated at the foot Mahendragiti which is at a distance of 26 kms.from Sompeta town.There is a fort which is considered to be the highest is south india and it is place of tourist interest.In this village the temple of Varahaswamy attracts the attention of the tourists .

Sangam

Sangam is a village and a pilgrimage site in Vangara mandal in SRIKAKULAM district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. [1] It is about 56 kilometers from SRIKAKULAM Town and 20 kilometers from Rajam. River Nagavali, Suvarnamukhi and Vegavati confluence takes place here. Hence it is a Triveni sangam similar to one well known in Allahabad. One of the five lingas of Lord Sangameswara is here. Thousands of devotees gather here on Maha Sivaratri Festival. Sangham is in Vangara Mandal, it is 56 Kms. from SRIKAKULAM. Here three rivers viz. Nagavali, Suvarnamukhi and Vegavathi merge together. The Sangameswara temple located here is one of the five linga kshetras, thousands of people congregate here on Mahasivaratri.