Agartala May 25: Telangana Governor and former Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura Jishnu Dev Varma along with his wife prayed at Kaleshwar Mukteshwar Temple after a holy at Saraswati Pushkara Sangam. In a social media post on Sunday (May 25), Jishnu Dev Varma wrote, “A holy dip at the Saraswati Pushkara sangam ( once in 12years meeting) of three rivers Godavari, Pranahita and Saraswati and prayers at the Kaleshwar Mukteshswar Temple. The Hon’ble Minster Govt. of Telangana Sri D. Sridhar Babu was present on the occasion.
Kaleshwaram is a town lying on the border of Telangana and Maharashtra in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District. The temple gets its name Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy because of the dual presence of Lord Shiva (Mukteshwara )and the other is the Lord Yama or Kaleshwar in the form of two Lingams. This is unique.”
Nestled at the serene confluence of the Godavari and Pranahita rivers in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District, the town of Kaleshwaram, straddling the border of Telangana and Maharashtra, stands as a beacon of spiritual significance.
At its heart lies the ancient Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple, a revered Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The temple, named Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy, derives its unique identity from the dual presence of Lord Shiva, worshipped as Mukteshwara, and Lord Yama, the deity of death, revered as Kaleshwara. This extraordinary configuration symbolizes the profound philosophical unity of life and death, a concept deeply rooted in Hindu theology.
According to the Hindu Post, the Godavari River performed penance for Lord Shiva, who manifested as Mukteshwara on its banks. This divine act led to an imbalance, as devotees attaining salvation through a holy dip in the river and darshan of Mukteshwara disrupted the cosmic order. In response, Lord Yama worshipped Shiva, resulting in the installation of the Kaleshwara Lingam alongside Mukteshwara, restoring balance and offering devotees a path to moksha (liberation) through prayers to both deities.
The temple’s significance extends beyond its unique dual Lingams. It is one of the three sacred Shiva temples of Trilinga Desham, alongside those in Draksharamam and Srisailam, which are considered Jyotirlingas adorning the Telugu-speaking regions. This distinction draws thousands of pilgrims, particularly during the Karthika month (mid-November to mid-December) and Maha Shivaratri, when the temple complex reverberates with devotion. Visitors often begin their pilgrimage with a ritual bath at the Triveni Sangamam, where the Godavari, Pranahita, and the mythical underground Saraswati River converge, believed to cleanse sins and bestow blessings.
A striking feature of the temple is the Mukteshwara Lingam, which contains a hole that mysteriously never fills with water, no matter how much is poured during abhishekam rituals. (https://kaleshwaramtemple.vercel.app/)
Local lore attributes this phenomenon to an underground passage linking the Lingam to the Godavari River, approximately one kilometer away, though researchers have yet to fully explain this enigma. Another notable attraction is a fish idol sculpture within the temple complex, adding to its cultural and artistic allure. The temple also houses shrines for Goddess Saraswati (Proudah Saraswati), Surya Bhagavan, and the consorts of the deities—Sree Sadapurna Devi for Kaleshwara and Sree Annapurna Devi for Mukteshwara—enhancing its spiritual diversity.
To the devotees, the Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple is not just a place of worship but a profound symbol of life’s duality. The presence of Lord Shiva and Lord Yama together on one pedestal reminds devotees that life and death are intertwined, guiding them toward spiritual liberation.
The Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple has a deep historical background that dates back to the time of the Kakatiya dynasty. This ancient temple is a fine example of Dravidian architecture. Its walls are beautifully decorated with detailed carvings and artistic sculptures that reflect the skill of craftsmen from that era. (https://www.poojn.in/post/18989/kaleshwara-mukteswara-swamy-temple-a-guide-to-history-and-architecture)
Kaleshwaram’s accessibility adds to its appeal. Located 277 kilometers from Hyderabad and 125 kilometers from Karimnagar, the town is well-connected by road and rail. The nearest railway station, Ramagundam, is 80 kilometers away, while regular bus services operate from cities like Hyderabad, Warangal, and Karimnagar, with a bus departing every 30 minutes from Hyderabad. For those traveling by air, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad (289 kilometers) or Sonegaon Airport in Nagpur (353 kilometers) are the closest options, followed by a scenic drive to the temple town.
Beyond its spiritual significance, Kaleshwaram is also home to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, a modern engineering marvel that complements the town’s historical and religious prominence. (https://hindupost.in/dharma-religion/kaleshwara-mukteshwara-swamy-temple-kaleshwaram-telangana/)
Visitors can explore nearby attractions, such as the Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary and Laknavaram Lake, adding a touch of nature to their spiritual journey.
As devotees and tourists flock to Kaleshwaram, the Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple continues to stand as a testament to the region’s rich cultural and religious heritage, inviting all to experience its unique blend of divinity, mystery, and architectural splendor.
