Lord Sri Mukhalingeswara Swamy, Srikakulam

The Sri Mukhalingeswara swamy temple is located in Mukhalingam village in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. It is home to the famous Mukhalingeswara Swamy, Bheemeswara Swamy and Someswara Swamy temples. The village is surrounded by mango and coconut groves look beautiful. 

The name "Srimukhalingam" has a beautiful meaning which means "the appearance of the lord in the lingam". The Shivalingam in this temple looks like it is looking towards us from any direction. The temple gopuram is very tall. There is an Anjaneya Sway temple next to the Srimukhalingeswara temple. It is the formality here for devotees to visit Anjaneya Swamy after visiting Srimmukhalingeswara.

Significance:

There are three temples in a triangular shape at three places in Srimukhalingeswara. The main temple among them is the Madhukeswara temple. The Archaeology Department has created a  beautiful queue complex  and a beautiful park with green plants around the Madhukeswara temple. 

It is found that Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism flourished here during those times. Once, Gandharvas were cursed by sage Vamadeva to be born as Sabaras for misbehaving during a sacred ritual. Their leader Chitragriva became a Sabara chief with two wives, Chitti & Chitkala. 

Chitkala, a devotee of lord Shiva, picked Ippa flowers that turned into gold by Shiva's grace, causing jealousy & conflict. When the chief tried to cut the tree, Shiva appeared, saved Chitkala, and freed the cursed Gandharvas, manifesting as Madhukeshwara.

How To Reach:

Srimukhalingam bus stop is located just 33m away from the temple. You can reach the bus stop by taking a local bus from Srikakulam bus stand. From bus stop, you can reach the temple by walk easily.