Sampath Gurram Bhubalapally

TheKaleshwaram Trilinga Kshetram, popularly known as the Sri Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, is a major pilgrimage site in Jayashankar Bhupapalli district. Also known as “South Kashi”, it represents Triveni Sangamam of the south. It stands as a symbol of spiritual grandeur and historical significance as the shrine sits at the confluence of the Godavari, Pranahita, and the subterranean Saraswati rivers. This centuries-old holy temple is situated amid densely forested terrain.

Believed to be the confluence of the Godavari, Pranahita, and the subterranean Sarasvati rivers, this holy site is honored by devotees as Dakshina Kashi.

The temple’s glory is described in the Skanda Purana under the section called “Kaleshvara Khanda.” According to the Puranas, Lord Rama visited this region during his exile in the Dandaka forest in the Treta Yuga. Ancient Rama temples in the surrounding area reinforce this belief.

The principal shrine is the Sri Kaleshvara Mukteshwara Swami Temple, located on the left bank of the Godavari.

Puranic accounts say that Yama Dharma Raja performed severe penance here worshiping Lord Shiva. Pleased by Yama’s devotion, Lord Shiva blessed him and granted boons to those who dwell here. Consequently, the temple uniquely houses two Shiva lingas on the same pedestal — Kaleshvara and Mukteshwara.

Devotees believe this is the only temple in the Telugu States where Yama Dharma Raja is worshiped alongside Lord Shiva in linga form. Two small holes visible on one of the lingas are regarded as the deity’s nasal apertures by devotees. Local belief holds that water or milk poured into these holes flows into the Godavari.

Kaleshwaram is also famous for its sacred bathing ghats on the Godavari’s southern bank, known collectively as the Ashta Tirthas (eight sacred baths). These include Brahma Tirtha, Picchuka Tirtha, Jnana Tirtha, Vayasa Tirtha, Sangama Tirtha, Narasimha Tirtha, Hanumat Tirtha, and Vyasa Tirtha.

On major festival days, thousands of pilgrims gather here to perform holy baths.

The temple’s history records significant patronage from the Kakatiyas, Rashtrakutas, Vemulavada Chalukyas, Kalyani Chalukyas, and Vijayanagara rulers. Inscriptions of the Vijayanagara empire’s Devaraya kings mention victory celebrations held at Kaleshwaram.

The Andhra Pradesh government carried out extensive restoration of the temple in 1976, and in 1982 the Kanchi Kamakoti Peethadhipati Jagadguru Shankaracharya performed the reconsecration. Kaleshwaram is renowned for its distinctive sculptural heritage: sculptures of Vishnu’s Dashavatara, Matsya–Kurma avatars, Annapurna Devi, Shaiva door-guardians, a four-faced linga, and carvings depicting Arjuna’s fish-machine attract devotees and tourists alike.

These stone works, carved from red sandstone, granite, and basalt, are displayed in a museum near the temple. Several historic and spiritual sites along the Godavari’s southern bank are also close to Kaleshwaram.

Blending spirituality, history, mythological importance, sculptural art, and natural beauty, Kaleshwaram has remained a sanctuary of faith for centuries as Dakshina Kashi.