Kaleshwaram Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Telangana

Address

Kaleshwaram Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram, Bhoopalpally District, Telangana – 505 504 Phone: +91 8720 201 055

Diety

Kaleshwara, Mukteswara Swamy Amman: Parvati

Introduction

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple in Kaleshwaram, Telangana. It’s indeed a significant and unique temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is often referred to as “Dakshina Gangotri” because it is situated on the banks of the sacred Godavari River and its Pranahita tributary. The Godavari is one of the major rivers in India, and the temple’s location along its course adds to its religious significance.

Trilinga Kshetram: Kaleshwaram Temple is considered one of the Trilinga Kshetrams. The other two prominent Trilinga Temples are Bhimeswaram (also known as Draksharamam) and Srisailam. These three temples are revered for their connection to Lord Shiva and are considered highly sacred in Hindu tradition.

Puranic Significance

The temple is said to be around 1500 years old, making it a historically and culturally important site. The unique feature of the Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple is the presence of two Shiva Lingas, one representing Lord Shiva and the other Lord Yama, on a single pedestal. This duality is why the temple is named Kaleshwara.

The story you’ve shared about the two Shiva Lingas in the same pedestal at the Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple provides an interesting perspective on the religious beliefs and practices associated with the temple. The presence of both Lord Muktheswarar (Mukteswara) and Lord Kaleshwara (Kaleshwara) on the same pedestal serves as a spiritual lesson and a test of devotion for the temple’s devotees.

People who take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers) and worship Lord Muktheswarar with true devotion are believed to attain moksha, or salvation, through the grace of Lord Shiva.
Lord Yama, the lord of death, was concerned that his soldiers were becoming idle because souls were attaining salvation so easily due to their worship at the temple.
Lord Yama sought the guidance of Lord Brahma and eventually, Lord Shiva Himself. Lord Shiva decided to test the devotion of the devotees by instructing Lord Yama to install another Shiva Lingam (Lord Kaleshwara) on the same pedestal as Lord Muktheswarar.
The presence of two Shiva Lingas in the same pedestal is intended to test the faith and discernment of the devotees. Those who genuinely recognize and worship Lord Muktheswarar are believed to attain salvation, while those who ignore Kaleshwara and only worship Muktheswarar may not attain salvation and might be destined for Lord Yama’s realm (Yamaloka).

Special Features

Trilinga Desam: The term “Trilinga Desam” refers to the Land of Three Lingams. It encompasses three significant Shiva temples in the region of Andhra Pradesh, each of which holds immense religious significance. These temples are Kaleshwaram, Draksharamam (also known as Bhimeswaram), and Srisailam.
Abhisheka with Milk: The story of a Vaishya performing an abhisheka (ritual bathing) to Kaleshwara Mukteswara with hundreds of milk pots is a part of the temple’s lore. According to the story, the milk from this abhisheka merged at the confluence of the Godavari and Pranahita rivers, forming a sacred site known as Dakshina Gangotri or Dakshina Triveni Sangamam.
Dakshina Gangotri: The reference to Dakshina Gangotri draws a parallel with Allahabad (Prayaga) in North India, which is known for the confluence of three rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati) and is considered a highly sacred pilgrimage site. Kaleshwaram is often referred to as the “Dakshina Gangotri” because of its association with the confluence of rivers, much like Allahabad’s significance in the context of North India.
Confluence of Rivers: The confluence of the Godavari and Pranahita rivers at Kaleshwaram, along with the presence of the illusionary flow of Antharvahini, adds to the temple’s spiritual significance. Pilgrims visiting this site often consider it highly auspicious due to the belief that the confluence of these rivers has purifying and spiritually rejuvenating properties.

Festivals

3 Days Maha Shivarathri, Navagraha Rudra Chandi Havanam on monthly Shivarathri, Navaratri, Dhanur Masa special Pooja, Rama Navami, Panchanga Shravanam, Ugadi, Vinayaga Chathurthi and Karthikai are the festivals celebrated here. Every 12 years Pushkarams are organized at Kaleshwaram. The holy place draws tourists during the Karthika Month of the Indian Calendar, 16 November – 15 December. Holy baths are held during 6–17 of December. People who bathe here first visit Lord Ganesha, then pray to Lord Yama and then to Lord Shiv. Two types of prasadam are inside the temple: Puliathora (Tamarind rice) and Laddu (sweet).