The historic Sangameswara temple located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh was thronged by several devotees this year for 133 days since March 12.
The temple which was built during the Chalukya dynasty got submerged in the 1980s when the Srisailam dam was constructed. However, Sangameswara Temple was not relocated like many others in this locality.
It has remained hidden under water for twenty years and it resurfaced after decades in 2003. However, the temple is visible for some days when the water levels come down during the summer and is kept open for the public.
Since 2003, the temple has resurfaced every year during summer.
The legend of Sangameswara temple
The legend of Sangameswara temple
According to popular myth, the temple dates back to the Mahabharata era, when the Pandavas after losing their entire kingdom to the Kauravas went into exile. During this period, they came to Kurnool and decided to camp there for some time. The eldest of the Pandava, Yudhishthira asked his brother Bhima to bring a Shiva Linga from Kashi.
Later, they consecrated the Linga at the confluence of the river Krishna and Tungabhadra along with five other tributaries. This is how the Linga was named as Sangameswara (Sangama, where the rivers meet).
The Srisailam dam and reservoir constructed at the border of Mahabubnagar and Kurnool district is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions near the Sangameswara temple. Several rituals are also performed for the wooden Lingam inside the sanctum.
According to recent estimates, nearly 2,50,000 cusecs of flood water has accumulated in the Srisailam Reservoir and its subsequent increase is likely to submerge the temple.