Kaleshwaram is at the juncture of the rivers Godavari and its Pranahita tributary. Kaleshwaram town is on the border of Telangana and Maharashtra in Mahadevpur mandal, in Jayashankar Bhupalapally District, Telangana State.
Kaleshwaram town is famous for ancient Shiva temple known by the name Kaleshwara Mukteshwara Swamy Temple. Kaleswara Mukteshwara Swamy Temple is a unique temple. The sanctum sanctorum has four gates in four directions. Here, The unique aspect of this ancient temple is the presence of two Lingams holding onto one pedestal or the Panavattam. There is no other place like this in India. Here it is a specialty. Here Kaleswara is worshiped first and then Mukteswara.
Story behind the Kaleswara 2 lingas.
One day, Lord Yama observed his soldiers sitting idle in his Yama Loka. Angry Yama enquired about the reason of sitting idle without any work. Soldiers answered Yama that people began worshipping Lord Muktheswarar at Kaleshwara temple after taking holy dip in Triveni Sangam. The ever-merciful Lord Shiva is simply granting them moksha and so we have no work to do. Saddened at the turn of events in Yamaloka, Lord Yama straightaway headed to Lord Brahma and informed about the status of Yama Loka. Lord Brahma took Lord Yama and went to Kailasha, the abode of Lord Shiva. At Kailash, Lord Yama once again informed the status of Yama Loga before Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva instructed Lord Yama to go Kaleswaram Temple and install another Shiva Lingam in the same pedestal which houses the Muktheswarar Lingam. Devotees would be surprised to see two Shivalingas in same pedestal and proceed to worship Muktheswarar ignoring Kaleshwara as they might think all Shiva Lingams are equal. People who ignore the Kaleshwara and straightaway worshipping Muktheswarar will not attain salvation and they should go to Yamaloka so the Yama Loka will survive. This is the reason behind two Shiva Lingas in same pedestal.
On Yama’s request Vishwakarma built a beautiful city around southern side of this Triveni Sangamam (Andhra Pradesh). Vishwakarma also built a tank called Yama Gundam on the southwest of the Triveni Sangamam. Lord Yama worshipped Lord Shiva here and asked to bless the people whoever takes a holy dip in this tank should be bestowed blessings equivalent to that of taking holy dip in several holy lakes and rivers. Lord Shiva granted the wish of Lord Yama. So, whoever takes a holy dip in this Yama Gundam will get blessings equivalent to that of having baths in several holy lakes and rivers.
Jaya and Vijaya, the door-keepers at Vaikunda, the residence of Lord Vishnu in Vaikunda is seen here as door-keepers of this temple. Once both argued about the greatness of Kaleswaram Temple and Kasi Temple. Both were unable to decide. Hence, they approached Surya and seek his opinion. Surya informed them that Kaleswaram Temple is greater than KasiViswanath Temple. From then, Jaya and Vijaya decided to stay here asdoor-keepers of the sanctum.
Due to the presence of these two lingams, this temple is called Kaleswara Mukteshwara Swamy Temple. Shubhananda Devi, the divine consort of Lord Mukteshwara, graces the temple from a separate shrine. Other deities present here include Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesha. This ancient temple has many unique and interesting features that connect the devotees spiritually. On the top of the Muktheeshwar linga there are two nostrils and whatever quantum of water or milk is poured, not even a drop of it comes out of it.
The three temples constituting the Trilinga Desam – “Land of Three Lingas,”- are at the Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy temple, Draksharamam, Srisailam. All the three temples are considered as Jyotirlingas that ornament the three corners of Telugu Land according to ancient scriptures.
The temple resembles the Kakatiya style of architecture, having a large linga similar to that found in the Sri Ramappa temple complex.
Many revered texts of the Skanda Purana narrating the story of Kartikeya (son of Shiva and Parvati) mention this shrine at Kaleswaram. In the premises of this temple there is a Yamakonam made in a triangular shape. It is the belief of the devotees that those who come to this Yamakonam without touching their head will not suffer from Yamuni. Another peculiarity here is that the Nandiswara on the stone flagpole in front of the temple seems to be facing south in Dakshinayanam and north in Uttarayanam. The temple has temples of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati, Lord Brahma, Surya and Sri Rama. Adi Mukteswara Temple is also located some distance from Kaleswara Temple.
Ancient story: In Skanda purana it is mentioned that River Godavari did penance for Bhagwan Siva, who self-manifested on the river bank as Mukteeswara Swamy. This led to an imbalance in the Universe as living creatures started attaining salvation by taking a holy dip in the river Godavari followed by the darshan of the main deity Mukteeswara Swamy. Yama, the God of death found he was work less since the dead people were not coming to Yama loka as they were attaining salvation. He did penance for Bhagwan Siva pleading Him to retain the life cycle (ie., birth, death and rebirth). Pleased Bhagwan Siva asked him to install Siva Linga (Kaleshwara Linga) next to Mukteeswara Linga. It is believed that whoever offer prayers at this temple will be relieved from the birth cycle and attains salvation. Hence the temple called by Kaleshwara and Mukteeswiara. This is the only temple where one can find two Lingas in Garbha Griha. In front of the sanctum sanctorum were Jaya-Vijay. Among them, Jaya argued that Kaleswaram was better than Kashi and Vijaya Kashi was better, and prayed to Suryanarayana Murthy for judgement. Thus the Jaya-Vijayas are the gatekeepers here (these Jaya-Vijayas are not the Jaya-Vijayas of Vaikuntha). As a witness to this, there is a Suryanarayana Swamy temple to the north-east of the temple. Saraswati temple is there. Kashi has Triveni Sangam. There is a confluence of five rivers in Kaleswaram. Death in Kashi is called Mukti. It is said that there is no rebirth due to darshan of Srisaila Shikhara. It is said that liberation can be achieved only by visiting Kaleswara Kshetra.
Maharshi Vedavyasa is believed to have established Saraswati in her divine form at Kaleshwaram.
Kaleshwaram is located at the Godavari River, the internal Saraswati River known as Prasanna Vahini, and the Mantrini River meet, forming the Triveni Sangamam.
The goddess is depicted sitting and playing the veena. She is especially worshipped by students, teachers, and artists. The temple is known for its peaceful atmosphere and mythological significance.
Every 12 years, the Saraswati Pushkaralu takes place. During this time, many devotees visit Kaleshwaram, take a dip in the river, and participate in special prayers, homams, and Vedic chanting. Knowledge homams and educational programs are also organized.
Students visit the temple for blessings before exams. Parents pray for their children’s academic success. Devotees worship the goddess for mental peace and intellectual growth.
Kaleshwaram is easy to reach by road. Buses run from major cities like Hyderabad and Warangal. It is about 300 kilometers from Hyderabad, making it accessible for visitors.
