Temple at confluence of seven rivers surfaces in summer

M Satya Peter

Atmakuru (Kurnool): Saptanadi Sangameswara Kshetram, situated at the confluence of seven rivers on the borders of Kurnool-Mahbubnagar districts in the thick forest of Nallamala about 40 km from Atmakuru, has surfaced once the river water receded recently.

The ancient temple, said to be 7200-year-old, remains under water for 222 days in a year and during summer it surfaces to give darshan to the devotees. Situated at the confluence of seven rivers � Krishna, Veni, Tunga, Bhadra, Malapaharini, Bhimaradhi and Bhavanasani - the temple is abode of Lalita and Sangameswara.

Mythology says that Pandavas headed by Dharmaraja consecrated Sivalinga which is made of Neem tree about 7,200 years ago. The worship and other rituals started on Ugadi.A The temple remains under water for 222 days every year once Krishna River is flooded and devotees could offer their prayers and worship Sivalinga for four months.

Telakapalli Raghurama Sarma conducted the rituals on Ugadi and conducted Ksheerabhishekam, Panchagavyabhishekam, Rudrabhishekam, Bilvarchana, Pushparchana and Kumkumarchana to the Sivalingam. A He said that special worships would be conducted every Monday.