About Panchadarla Uma Dharmalingeswara Temple
Panchadarla Uma Dharmalingeswara Temple, also called Kotilingeswara Aalayam, is an old Shiva temple in Panchadarla village of Rambilli Mandal, Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh. The Anakapalli district website lists it under religious tourism and describes it as one of the ancient Shiva temples of Andhra Pradesh, believed to have been built in the 9th century by the Eastern Chalukya Cholas.
Name and the five springs
The name Panchadarla refers to five jets of water that flow from a natural, perennial spring. According to the district website, all the springs join in a water tank on the southern side of the temple. The village was earlier known as Dharapalem, and the temple is also called Dharmalingeswara Alayam.
The Kotilingam
The temple is also known as Kotilingam because the main Shiva Lingam carries smaller carved lingams arranged in 12 rows of 85. The sanctum has a Shiva lingam in the centre, with Lord Ganesha and Uma Maheshwari on either side.
Inscriptions and setting
The district website notes Telugu inscriptions on the pillars of the mandapam, dated to the 15th century, and says the Archaeology Department has recognised the temple and put up a board declaring it a protected structure. The temple stands in a natural setting surrounded by hills.
Legends about the lingam (for example, who installed it) are told locally and differ between sources, so they are not repeated here. Ask the temple priests for the version they follow.
Festivals
Maha Shivaratri, Phalguna Suddh Pournami – March, Karthika Masam.
The district website says large numbers of devotees visit during Karthika Masam, the Shivaratri festival and Dussehra, and that the temple is covered in festivities at these times.
Timings to Visit Panchadarla
Timings are not confirmed on an official website; check with the temple before travelling.
How to Reach
By Air: Visakhapatnam International Airport – 44.6 km
By Train: Anakapalle Railway Station – 26 km, Vizag – 39 km
By Bus: Yelamanchili -10 km, Narsipatnam – 50 km
The Anakapalli district website says the temple is about 20 km from the district headquarters and that buses run from Anakapalli to Panchadarla. Another local guide gives 26 km from Anakapalle, so confirm the route and last return bus locally before travelling.
Address
Panchadarla Uma Dharmalingeswara Temple, Cherlopalem, Rambilli Mandal, Andhra Pradesh, 531061, India.
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