The Kurmanathaswamy Temple, located in Srikurmam village within the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, stands as a unique architectural and spiritual landmark in India. It is the only pre-14th-century temple dedicated to Kurma, the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This sacred site is not only a center for Vaishnavism but also a rare intersection where Shaivite and Vaishnavite traditions coexist harmoniously.
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| The Kurmanatha swamy Temple Srikurmam, AP upload.wikimedia.org |
Historical Context
The temple’s recorded history begins in the 11th century. According to the Prapannamrutam and early inscriptions, Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty converted the site from a Shaivite shrine to a Vaishnavite khetra in 1035 CE. It later became a pivotal seat for the Madhwa school of thought under the influence of Narahari Tirtha, a disciple of Madhvacharya. Narahari Tirtha was instrumental in establishing the office of Bhoga Pariksha to oversee religious matters, ensuring the welfare of the royal family and the kingdom through prayer and scholarly rigor.
Architectural Brilliance
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| Pillared mandaba Kurmanatha swamy Temple AP.en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Officially called the Sri Kurmanadha Swamy temple, it is a large Vaishnava temple near the coastline of the historic Kalinga region (northeast Andhra Pradesh, Odisha). Now a part of the Srikakulam district, the Srikurmam village is named after this temple. It was originally dedicated to God Vishnu (in Kuma Avatar) as suggested by the inscriptions and iconographies related to Vaishnavism. Included in this temple are images of Shaiva (Ganesha) and Shakti (Lakshmi, Durga). The temple has many mandapas meant for some purposes such as pilgrims' choultry, conduct of festival.etc. Within the temple corridors, some walls have murals with Hindu legends in the Vijayanagara style. The temple historic records state that it was attacked and desecrated by Deccan Sultanate troops. Some evidence of defacement and chopped limbs of reliefs and statues can be seen within the temple premises...........
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| Ornate pillar Kurmanadha Swamy Temple en.wikipedia.org |
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| Srikurmam temple ornate pillar facebook.com |
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| Kurmanatha swamy Temple AP tripxl.com |
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| Pillared open corridor Kurmanatha swamy Temple AP.en.wikipedia.org |
The temple’s architecture is a sophisticated fusion of Kalinga and Dravidian styles. Unlike typical Vaishnavite temples, Srikurmam features two dhvajasthambas (flagstaffs)—one in the east and one in the west. The sanctum’s upper structure is shaped like an astadala padmam (eight-petaled lotus). One of its most striking features is the presence of 108 ekasila (single-stone) pillars, each bearing unique carvings and historical inscriptions, ensuring that no two pillars are alike. The walls of the pradakshina mandapa are adorned with century-old Orissan Pattachitra-style mural paintings depicting the life of Krishna and other divine themes.
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| Murals on the wall samudra manthan Srikurmam temple indiadivine.org |
Religious Significance and Deities
The presiding deity, Kurmanadha swamy, is a self-manifested fossilized tortoise facing west. The deity is made of black stone but often appears yellow due to the continuous application of sandalwood paste. Uniquely, the temple allows devotees to enter the sanctum sanctorum directly to offer prayers, a departure from standard Vaishnavite protocol. Srikurmam is also revered as a pitru kshetra, where ancestor worship is performed to grant salvation to the souls of the deceased. The temple complex also honors the divine feminine through Kurmanayaki (Lakshmi) and includes icons of Ganesha, Durga, and Shiva, reflecting its inclusive theological roots.
Conservation and Festivals
A distinct feature of the temple is its commitment to wildlife conservation. A tortoise park within the premises protects the endangered star tortoise, a living tribute to the temple's deity. Spiritually, the temple follows both Shaivite and Vaishnavite rituals, including daily Abhisheka. The major festival is the three-day Dolotsavam, marked by the colorful Kama Dahanam. Other significant events include Kalyanotsavam and Kurma Jayanthi.
In recognition of its cultural and historical importance, the Indian Postal Department released a commemorative stamp of the temple in 2013, cementing its status as a vital piece of India’s religious heritage.
https://www.indiadivine.org/srikurmam-unique-temple-lord-kurma-tortoise-avatar
https://tripxl.com/blog/srikurmam-temple
https://veludharan.blogspot.com/2024/11/sri-kurmam-sri-kurmanathaswamy-temple.html
K. N. Jayaraman
