Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Art & Culture
Why in News?
A man was detained for desecrating the century-old 'Shiva Lingam' at the historic Draksharamam temple in Andhra Pradesh.
It is known as the Lord Bhimeswara Swami Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Location –East Godavari District, near the Godavari River, accessible from Kakinada and Rajahmundry.
Main Deity –
Lord Bhimeswara Swamy (Shiva) in the form of a 2.6 m tall Spatika Linga (crystal) and
His consort goddess Manikyamba.
Other shrines –The temple complex also contains several smaller shrines dedicated to deities such as Vishnu, Ganesha, Durga, and others, collectively referred to as Daksha Vatika.
The Bhimeswara temple, one of the five powerful temples of Lord Shiva (Pancharama shrines) and also known as Dakshina Kasi Kshetram (Southern Varanasi).
Construction –It was built by the Eastern Chalukyan King Bhima (892–902 A.D.).
Patronage – The temple was patronised by dynasties like Chalukyas, Cholas, Kakatiyas, Reddi Kings, Vijayanagaras, and others.
Architecture –The temple is large, built in Dravidian style, with three concentric compound walls.
The temple is in a two-storied complex resembling a fort.
It has two main halls—the Mukha Mandapa and the Ardha Mandapa—and is surrounded by tall walls.
It has four gateways in cardinal directions, each associated with a goddess (Gogulamma, Nookambika, Moodhambike, Ghattambike).
Sacred Water– The Sapta Godavari Kundam is a sacred pond, revered for performing religious rituals.
Festivals –Devi Navaratrulu, Kartheeka Masam, Subrahmanya Shasti, Bhisma Ekadasi, Maha Shivaratri, etc.
Cultural Significance –
It is mentioned in the Skanda Purana.
Celebrated by Telugu poet Srinatha Kavi Sarvabhowmudu in Bhimeswara Puranam.
It was associated with Lord Rama, Surya, and Indra, who are believed to have worshipped here.
