Umakamandeleshwara Temple is a highly revered shrine, located at
Ryali, about 24 km from
Rajahmundry, in
Andhra Pradesh. The presiding deity here is Umakamandeleshwara, one of the names of
Lord Shiva.
Legend is that, after hearing about the beauty of Jaganmohini, Lord Shiva met Lord Vishnu and expressed his desire to see Jaganmohini. Lord Vishnu accepted the proposal and when Lord Shiva was returning to Kailash, Lord Vishnu appeared before him in the form of Jaganmohini. Lord Shiva fell in love and chased her.
In order to get relief, Jaganmohini, stopped for a while at Ryali. At that time, a colorful flower fell on the ground from her hair. The moment Lord Shiva gasped the smell of the flower, the damsel turned back into Vishnu. Ashamed of his foolishness, Lord Shiva desired to stay at this place permanently.
Later, Lord Brahma came to earth and bathed the Shivling with water of his kamandalam and named it as Uma Kamalandeswara.
Umakamandeleshwara Temple can be reached by bus from
Rajahmundry Bus Station.
