Sri Kurmam

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Sri Kurmam | type = village | latd = 18.16 | longd = 84.1
locator_position = right | state_name = Andhra Pradesh
district = Srikakulam
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altitude = 17
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postal_code = 532 404
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Sri Kurmam is a Village near Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.It is located approximately 13 kilometers east of Srikakulam town near the sea. It is in the Gara Mandal of Srikakulam district.

Geography

Sri Kurmam is located at latitude of 18° 16' N, longitude of 84° 1' E and an altitude of 17 meters (59 feet). [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/2/Srikurmam.html Falling Rain Genomics.Srikurmam] ]

This location puts the temple about half a mile offshore in the Bay of Bengal.

riKurmam Temple

There is a Temple dedicated to Sri Kurma-natha, which is the second avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kurma-avatara (Tortoise). This is the only temple of Kurmanatha in India. There is a YogAnandha Narasimhan temple in front of Sri Kurmam temple. Simhachalam Devasthanam adopted this temple for improvement.

The moolasthanam (central piece) is considered to be very big Saligrama. [ [http://www.salagram.net/sstp-SII.html Salagram-Srikurmam] ] The Turtle (kUrma) has earned an exclusive, known as Sri-kUrmam in the 'sampradAyam'. The 'image' is not a sculpture crafted by man, but the fossil of an actual (large-size) turtle, which must have paddled on to the 'kshEtram' where the shrine has been built.

One unique feature of this temple is that it has Dhwajastambams in the front and back of the temple. That is because the deity faces the back of the temple on the west and hence the reason for another dhwajastambam.

History

According to inscriptions in the temple dated 1281 A.D, [ [http://www.bhaktiuniversity.com/coursedata/TRP101/south-india-pilgrimage.rtf South India Pilgrimage-Srikurmam] ] the holy place of Kürma-kshetra, was actually reestablished by Sri Ramanujacharya under the influence of Lord Jagannatha Deva at Jagannatha Puri,Orissa. Later the temple came under the jurisdiction of the King of Vijayanagar. The Deity was worshiped by the Vaishnavas of the Madhvacharya Sampradäya. Some Oriya inscriptions are said to be written by Sri Narahari Teertha, who was in the disciplic succession of Madhvacharya. He later became the ruler of Kalinga Province(ancient Orissa) and fought with the Sabaras, and saved the temple of Kürma. Narahari Tértha was a very religious and powerful king. He died in the Saka Era 1203. The temple was constructed and dedicated to the holy name of YogAnanda Narasimhadeva.This temple was build in the Orissan temple architecture style.

References