Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – The Temple

Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram – The Temple

The Kaleshwara – Mukteswara Temple is a unique temple because the temple houses two Shiva Lingas on the same platform. These Lingams are named after Lord Shiva and Lord Yama. One is believed to be a manifestation of Kaleshwara or Lord Yama, the God of death. The other Linga is Mukteswara or Lord Shiva, the Liberator, freeing you from the cycle of life, together Kaleshwara and Mukteswara are the givers of Moksha, salvation. Devotees can go right inside the sanctum and offer prayers.

The amazing fact is that this Shivalinga has two nostrils. The water poured into these nostrils just disappears and merges into Godavari and Pranahita rivers while travelling along with River Saraswathi. The sanctum sanctorum has four Maha Dwaras like in Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Varanasi and Pashupathinath Temple in Nepal. Nandi is installed before the four doors leading to the sanctum sanctorum.

Jaya and Vijaya who stand as door-keepers at the entrance of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu in Vaikunda is seen here as door-keepers (Dwarapalakas) guarding the sanctum. There is a four-sided arch called Yama Konam, can be found near the sanctum. Devotees had to pay to pass through the arch. It is believed that if you manage to pass through the arch without your head / body touching the roof, Lord Yama would treat you in good way in Yama Loga.

The temple has a separate shrine for Lord Ganesha. The devotees are said to worship Lord Ganesha first and then Lord Yama and finally Lord Shiva. There are shrines of Shubhananda Devi, Saraswathi, Rama, Dattatreya, Sangameswarar, Durga, Maha Ganapathi, Veerabhadra, Vijaya Ganapathi, Annapoorani, Chinthamani Ganapathi, Surya, Swarna Akarshana Kala Bhairava, Anjaneya, Mathsya Avathara and Navagrahas in the Temple premises.

There is an interesting sculpture of a fish in the Temple premises. Though the origin of this sculpture is unknown it is remarkable for its structure and style. Theerthams associated with this Temple are Brahma Theertham, Chithsukha Theertham, Gnana Theertham, Pakshi Theertham, Sangama Theertham, Narasimha Theertha, Hanuman Theertham and Vyasa Theertham. The Adi Mukteswara Temple is a small shrine located in the middle of fields, about 1.5 Kms from the main temple. It is customary to visit Adi Mukteswara Temple at first and then visit the main Temple to reap the spiritual benefits.