History
Srikurmam is the only Vishnu temple in Andhra Pradesh where Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the tortoise (kurma) form. Generally, Vishnu`s incarnation as the tortoise (kurma) is not popularly worshipped. It is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu in the Kurma Avathara (incarnation).
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu is one of the most favourite deities of people all over India. Various incarnations of Lord Vishnu such as Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana (Trivikrama), Rama and Krishna are worshipped in Andhra Pradesh. But the one in the form of tortoise is the unique one in the Srikurmam temple of Andhra Pradesh. The tortoise form is generally not popular for worship in any part of India. But in the Srikurmam the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu is worshipped and hence it is unique and rare shrine and several devotees are attracted towards it.
Architecture:
The Srikurmam temple of Andhra Pradesh is well known for its beautiful architecture. This temple has 200 pillars and the `gopuram` i, e, the entrance gate has six stories. The gopuram was built by following the traditional South Indian architectural style. The Srikurmam village got its name from the name of this unique temple. In this Vishnu temple, many inscriptions in Devanagari script can be found which can be traced back to the11th to the 19th century A.D. The activities of the kings of the eastern Ganga dynasty can be visualised from these inscriptions. These kings ruled in ancient Kalinga.
Inside the temple complex, many sacred tanks can be found. The famous Sundareshvara temple is also situated near Srikurmam, which is dedicated to Lord Siva and is situated at Pippala village. The Karpureshvara temple is also not far from Srikurmam, which is situated at a place where the Vamshadhara River joins the sea.
A number of inscriptions state this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as the Avathara of Srikurmam - tortoise, and the deity is called Srikurmanatha. The temple has beautiful pillared mantapas and some sculptures are made in granite. The Vimana is built in Chola style. The outer gates beyond the prakara were added much later. The temple was originally Saivite, but was changed to Vaishnavite by Sri Ramanujacharya. This is the only important temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the whole of India.
Inside the temple complex, many sacred tanks can be found. The famous Sundareshvara temple is also situated near Srikurmam, which is dedicated to Lord Siva and is situated at Pippala village. The Karpureshvara temple is also not far from Srikurmam, which is situated at a place where the Vamshadhara River joins the sea.
A number of inscriptions state this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as the Avathara of Srikurmam - tortoise, and the deity is called Srikurmanatha. The temple has beautiful pillared mantapas and some sculptures are made in granite. The Vimana is built in Chola style. The outer gates beyond the prakara were added much later. The temple was originally Saivite, but was changed to Vaishnavite by Sri Ramanujacharya. This is the only important temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the whole of India.
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