Srikakulam
Places Of Interest
| Arasavalli : |
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| Srikurmam : |
 Srikurmam is the only temple in the country where Lord
Vishnu is in the form of Tortoise. This magnificent temple of Lord Vishnu is situated at
Srikurmam which lies in the
Gara mandalam on northeast 15 Kms from Srikakulam. The only one temple of Srikurmanatha temple in the country is
here. The sculpture of the temple is wonderful. The Vishnu temple located here is architecturally
unique. Here the rock edicts of 11A.D. are available. Sri Simhachala Devastanam adopted
this temple for improvement.It is famed for architectural beauty and the
peace of mind it provides. It contains over 200 pillars and many inscriptions in Devenagri
script dating from the 11th to the 19th century A.D. It has a huge
five storied Gopuram
built in typical South Indian style of architecture. The wall paintings resemble those at
the Ajantha Caves. Interestingly inside the complex is a small temple wherein the foot
prints of Chaitaina of Bengal are worshipped. |
| Salihundam : |
 This village shot into prominence because excavations revealed the existence of an ancient Buddhist settlement. Situated 18 Kms from Srikakulam on the banks of the river Vamsadhara, a maha stupa, votive stupas, chaityas, platforms and viharas have been unearthed here with inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century A.D. The main stupa on a hilltop measures 46 feet in diameter while the maha vihara salipethaka has an entrance in the shape of Swastika. Significantly, this was the place from where the message of Buddhism spread to Sumatra and other Eastern countries. |
| Kalingapatnam Beach : |
Kalingapatnam Beach is situated 30 Kms from Srikakulam. This scenic spot was an ancient seaport and European merchants resided here during the regime of the East India Company. Places of interest include a light house and a Buddhist Stupa. |
Srimukhalingam : |
| Sitting on the banks of the river Vamsadhara, 48 Kms from Srikakulam, this is the site of the ornate Lord Srimukhalingeswara (Shiva) temple. Built in the 9th century by the Eastern Ganga Kings, it boasts of supremely elegant and precise sculptures along with the remarkable symmetry in the ground plan as well as the elevation. It is considered to be amongst the finest examples of Kalinga style of architecture. Legend has it that a dip in the river and a visit to the shrine relieves one from the cycle of rebirth. |
| Telineelapuram : |
| Telineelapuram and Telukunchi are well known bird sanctuaries. Telineelapuram is located 65 Kms from Srikakulam and 7 Kms from Tekkali while Telukunchi is at a distance of 115 Kms from Srikakulam in Ichchapuram mandal. Painted storks and pelicans from Siberia migrate to these sanctuaries every year to nest and breed. Naturally, the place is a favorite of avid bird watchers. |
| Ravi Valasa : |
| It is about 5kms from Tekkali. Sri Endala Mallikarjuna Swamy is the deity. On Maha Sivaratri and Kartika Mondays large gathering devotees worship this deity. |
| Sangam : |
| It is 56kms from Srikakulam. Nagavali, Swarnam Mukhi and Vegavati confluence takes place here. So it is called Sangam. One of the five lingas Sangameswara is here. On Maha Sivaratri thousands of devotees through here. |
| Mandasa : |
| It is 26kms from Sompet and at foot points of Mahendragiri. Mahendra giri is the highest mountain range in South India. Mahasivaratri is celebrated with fanfare here. Here is the temple of Varaha Swamy. |
| Pondur : |
| It is 21kms from Srikakulam. It is famous for fine Khadi. With eye extracting designs they are women on hand spun spindles. |
| Rajam : |
| It is 40kms away from Srikakulam. The king of Bobbili Tandrapapa Rayudu at one time stage here. This place is linked with name of the valiant. |
| Palasa : |
| Located towards the north of the district - close to Orissa. In the entire sub-continent, Palasa is famous for Cashew Nuts. (Yammy.....) |
| Baruva : |
| It is 109Km from Srikakulam. Baruva, a fishing and coastal port, is set amidst lush coconut groves and paddy fields. The famous temples are of Sri Kotilingeswara Swamy and Janardanaswamy. |
| Kaviti : |
| It is 13kms from Ichapuram and
Sompet. The
coastal belt around Kaviti has extensive plantations of coconut, cashew and jack. The area
is delightfully scenic. Here are the deities of Chintamani Ammavaru and Sri Sita Rama
Swamy.
This district area is about 5837 km and having population 23,21,000. There is ONE Parliament Constituency and 12 assembly constituencies namely, Palakonda, Vunukuru, Patapatnam, Etcherla, Kothuru ,Ichapuram, Sompeta, Tekkali, Harischandrapuram, Narasannapeta, Amudalavalasa, Srikakulam. There are three revenue divisions in Srikakualm, namely Srikakulam, Tekkali and Palakonda |
Arasavalli temple is the only Sun Temple where the Sun God
is worshipped. It is 3.5 Km from Srikakulam.The temple dates back to the 7th century and a
Kalinga king is said to have constructed it. The image of worship is a 5 ft tall one of
black granite holding lotus buds flnked by Usha and Chhaya. Padmapani is the name of this
Sun God - padma stands for wisdom usha and chhaya stand for eternity. People believe that
eye and skin diseases are cured through Surya Namaskaras and 42 days worship in the
temple. Many people throng to this temple for various Poojas. This temple is known for
health and wealth. Situated 2 Kms from Srikakulam, this village is the site of the
noted Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple dedicated to the Sun God. Constructed by the Ganga
Kings around the 7th Century A.D., this remarkable temple is built in such a way that the
early morning sun’s rays fall on the feet of the deity twice a year, in February and
June, even when the 5 main entrance gates are closed. The idol depicts Lord Surya standing
on the chariot holding a lotus in each of the raised hands. The head is crowned by fully
spread hood of Adisesha serpent. The other temples in the complex include the Shiva
Temple, Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Anjaneya Swamy temple, Kala Bhairava Temple, Subrahmanya
Swamy temple and Durga Mahalakshmi temple.