About 38-km from Rajamunday there is a small village called Mandapalli, where there is a famous shrine of 'Sri Mandeswara Swami Temple' is also called "Someswara temple". The presiding diety is Lord Shiva and the linga is consecrated by Someswara. The presiding deities here are Saneeswara, 'Bhrameswara' and 'Nageswara' in the form of black stone Shiva Lingas. This is a small temple attracting a large number of pilgrims.

The Legend
Another legend is sage 'Dhadchi' made a supreme sacrifice in donating his valuable spinal cord for the most powerful weapon known as the "Vajurayudha" of Lord Indra, which was employed by him to kill countless ghostly demons. The sons of demon in retaliation to the death of their father 'Kartabha' called 'Aswartha' and 'Pippala' invaded the places of Mandapalli and brought untold miseries to the people living in there. Looking at the miseries of people, all the sages lead by sage Agastya approached Saturn, the son of God Surya who was doing penance to rescue them from ruination in the hands of these two demon brothers.

Saturn refused to take up the job of killing the demons until the completion of his prayers to gain enough strength for the destruction, but yielded when the sages who approached him gave their 'Tapasshakti' to accomplish the task 'Shani'. He made up his mind and killed Aswartha and Pippala relieving the sages and other people from the tyranny of the demons engulfed from a long time.

People jubilant over the annihilation of these demons praised Saturn in many words and sage Agastya and others showered on him many boons. As a mark of his glorious victory over the demons Saturn installed a "Shiva Linga" which is known as "Sameswara" or "Mandeshwara".

Places to stay in Andhra Pradesh
Hotel accommodation is available at Rajahmundry.

How to Get There
Rail : It is about 38-km from Rajamunday Railway Station.

Road : Bus facilities are available from Rajamunday. Taxis are also available from here.