Samarlakota Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple is one of the famous Pancharama temples of Lord Shiva in Andhra Pradesh. It is in Samarlakota town, near Kakinada, and is also called Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple.
The temple was built around the 9th century by the Eastern Chalukya rulers. The main deity is Lord Bhimeswara Swamy (Shiva) and the consort is Goddess Manikyamba. The Shiva Linga here is tall and is considered very powerful and sacred. The temple has a beautiful stone structure, tall gopuram and a 100 pillared mandapa that many devotees admire Samarlakota is about 10 to 12 km from Kakinada city and around 50 km from Rajahmundry, so it is easy to include in a coastal Andhra pilgrimage trip.
Daily, many devotees visit for free darshan, Abhishekam and other sevas. Regular darshan is free, but some sevas and special poojas have tickets at a reasonable cost. In 2025, the temple continues to be managed under the Endowments Department of Andhra Pradesh, and online seva booking is available through the AP Temples portal, which makes planning easier for long distance devotees.
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Samarlakota Kumararama Temple 2025 Overview
| Detail | Information (2025) |
|---|---|
| Temple name | Sri Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple (Kumararama) |
| Location | Samarlakota, near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Main deity | Lord Bhimeswara Swamy (Shiva) |
| Consort | Goddess Manikyamba |
| Temple importance | One of the five Pancharama Kshetras of Lord Shiva |
| Approx age | Around 9th century Chalukya period |
| Nearest big town | Kakinada (about 10–12 km) |
| Nearest railway station | Samalkot Junction (about 1.5 km from temple) |
| Regular darshan | Free entry |
| Special sevas / poojas | Abhishekam, Saswatha Abhishekam, Saswatha Prasadam, other poojas |
| Online booking | Through AP Temples official website for darshan and seva tickets |
| Good months to visit | October to March (pleasant climate, many festivals) |
Daily Darshan Timings 2025
Regular temple timings can change on festival days, but recent sources show the following pattern for Samarlakota Kumararama Temple in 2025.
Temple and Darshan Timings
| Session | Timings* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morning opening | 6:00 AM | Temple opens, general darshan starts |
| Morning darshan | 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Free darshan available |
| Abhishekam to main deity | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Main morning seva, ticket based |
| Temple closed (afternoon) | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Usually closed for alankaram and naivedyam |
| Evening opening | 3:00 PM | Reopens |
| Evening darshan | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Free darshan and small poojas |
| Night closing | Around 8:00 PM | Closing time, may extend on special days |
*Timings are indicative and may change on festival days like Maha Shivaratri, Karthika Masam, Mondays and special utsavams. It is better to reach early in the morning or early evening for a peaceful darshan.
Sevas and Special Darshan at Samarlakota Temple (Timings & Prices)
Some sevas can change, but commonly listed offerings and costs are like the table below.
Main Sevas and Ticket Details
| Seva / Darshan type | Approx timing | Approx ticket price (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General free darshan | As per darshan timings | Free | Stand in common queue |
| Abhishekam | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM | ₹300 (one time) | Abhishekam to main Shiva Linga |
| Prasadam ticket | During temple hours | ₹300 (one time) | Special prasadam for devotees |
| Saswatha Abhishekam | As per booking, once a year | ₹1116 | Annual abhishekam done on devotee’s name |
| Saswatha Prasadam | As per booking, once a year | ₹1116 | Annual prasadam on selected date |
Other daily poojas like Archana, Rudrabhishekam or special festival poojas are usually booked at the temple counter. Exact rates and timings may change, so it is important to check at the temple office or on the official booking website before planning the seva.
How to Reach Samarlakota Kumararama Temple
Samarlakota is well connected by rail and road in East Godavari district.
By train
- Nearest station: Samalkot Junction (SLO)
- Distance to temple: around 1.5 km, autos and local transport are easily available.
By road
- Kakinada to Samarlakota: about 10–12 km
- Rajahmundry to Samarlakota: about 50–55 km
- Regular APSRTC buses, private buses and taxis connect Samarlakota with Kakinada, Rajahmundry and other nearby towns.(eastgodavari.ap.gov.in)
By air
- Nearest airport: Rajahmundry Airport (RJA), about 70 km from Kakinada side and a little more to Samarlakota. From the airport you can take a taxi to Samarlakota via Kakinada or directly via Rajahmundry highway.(Tripoto)
Local transport
- From Samalkot Junction or Samarlakota town bus stand, you can reach the temple by auto, local shared auto or cab.
- The temple is a known landmark in the town, so directions are simple.
How to Book Darshan and Seva Tickets in 2025
In 2025, there are two main ways to get tickets at Samarlakota Kumararama Temple:
Offline booking at temple counter
- General darshan is free, no prior ticket needed.
- For Abhishekam and other daily poojas, you can buy tickets at the temple counter inside the premises.
- For Saswatha Abhishekam and Saswatha Prasadam, you usually need to fill a form and pay the amount at the office counter.
It is better to reach early in the morning, especially on Mondays, Pradosham, Karthika Masam and Maha Shivaratri.
Online booking through AP Temples website
The Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department runs an official website where many major temples have online booking for darshan and sevas. Sri Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Samalkot, is listed there.
Basic steps:
- Go to the AP Temples official website.
- Select the option for Darshanam, Pratyaksha Seva or Paroksha Seva.
- Choose the temple name: Sri Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Samalkot (often shown as KRBSML).
- Select date, time slot and type of seva or ticket (if available).
- Enter devotee details such as name, gotra, contact number and ID proof.
- Pay online through the available payment options.
- Download or screenshot the confirmation receipt and carry a printout or soft copy when you visit.
Note: Online seva options and time slots can change, and sometimes only special sevas are available online. Always double check the latest information on the website before booking.
Nearby Attractions around Samarlakota
You can easily combine Kumararama Temple darshan with other nearby temples and tourist spots.
Nearby religious places
- Draksharamam Temple
Another famous Pancharama Shiva temple, about 25–30 km from Kakinada and often visited along with Samarlakota. - Pithapuram
Known for Puruhutika Devi / Kukkuteswara Temple, an important Shakti Peetha and pilgrimage spot. - Annavaram Satyanarayana Swamy Temple
A well known hill temple that many pilgrims add to their East Godavari trip
Nature and beach spots
- Kakinada Beach and Uppada Beach near Kakinada for a relaxed evening.
- Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, a mangrove forest and bird area about 15–20 km from Kakinada, good for a half day nature visit.
Plan at least one full day if you want darshan at Samarlakota and also to visit one or two other nearby places.
Accommodation Options near the Temple
There are simple lodges in Samarlakota and more hotel options in Kakinada city.
Budget lodges in Samarlakota
Based on local listings, some popular lodges near Samalkot Junction are:
| Accommodation option | Approx distance from temple | Type | Approx budget level* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Srinivasa Residency | Near Railway Station Road | Lodge | Budget |
| Sai Residency | Near Railway Station Road | Lodge | Budget |
| Raghu Residency (branch) | Samarlakota / Nimmathota | Lodge | Budget |
| Yeleti Royal Residency | Teachers Colony, Samarlakota | Lodge | Budget |
Hotels in Kakinada
If you want more facilities, you can stay in Kakinada and travel to the temple.
| Accommodation option | City / Area | Type | Approx budget level* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Svenska Design Hotel, Kakinada | Kakinada | Upscale hotel | Mid to high |
| The Fern Residency, Kakinada | Kakinada | Business hotel | Mid range |
| Other local hotels / lodges | Kakinada | Lodges, OYO type | Budget to mid |
*Budget level is only a rough idea and can change often. Please check latest prices and reviews on hotel or travel websites before booking.
Important Instructions, Dos and Donts for Devotees
General instructions
- Carry a valid photo ID, especially if you have an online booking.
- Keep some cash for small poojas, prasadam and locker charges.
- On festival days, crowds are heavy. Reach early and keep extra time.
- Follow the directions given by temple staff and security.
Dress code
Dos
- Wear traditional or modest clothes.
- Men: dhoti, kurta, or simple shirt and full pants.
- Women: saree, salwar kameez, or other decent Indian wear.
Donts
- Avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, tight or transparent clothes.
- Do not enter the inner shrine with caps or hats on your head.
In and around the temple
Dos
- Remove footwear at the designated place only.
- Keep mobile on silent mode inside the temple.
- Use dustbins and keep the premises clean.
- Take care of children and elders in the queue.
- If you want to perform a seva, check the counter for exact procedure and timing.
Donts
- Do not take photos where it is restricted, especially near the main sanctum.
- Do not push in the queue or try to bypass lines.
- Do not carry alcohol, tobacco or non vegetarian food into the temple premises.
- Do not touch or lean on the ancient stone walls and carvings unnecessarily, as the temple is a protected heritage structure.
FAQs on Samarlakota Kumararama Temple 2025
1. Is prior booking needed for darshan in 2025?
For normal darshan, prior booking is not needed. Entry is free and you can join the general queue. For Abhishekam and special sevas, you may need a ticket from the counter or through the online booking portal.
2. How do I book sevas online?
Go to the AP Temples official website, choose Darshanam or Seva booking, select Sri Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Samalkot (KRBSML), select date and seva, fill details and pay online
3. What are the main darshan timings?
Morning darshan is usually from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and evening darshan from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Abhishekam is between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Timings can change on festivals.
4. What are the common seva prices?
Abhishekam and prasadam tickets are around ₹300 each, while Saswatha Abhishekam and Saswatha Prasadam are about ₹1116 each, done once a year in the devotee’s name. Rates may change, so confirm at the counter or online
5. Which is the best time of year to visit?
October to March is more comfortable because of cooler weather and many festivals like Karthika Masam and Shivaratri. In summer it can be hot, so early morning or late evening darshan is better.
6. Are there good stay options near the temple?
Yes. You can choose budget lodges in Samarlakota near the railway station, or stay in Kakinada where there are more mid range and good hotels.
7. Is the temple suitable for senior citizens and children?
Yes. The campus is not very steep, but on crowded days the queue can be long. It is good to carry water, simple snacks and any medicine needed.