In Pictures | Kurnool's Sanghameswara temple resurfaces as water recedes

The temple remains under water for about 222 days every year when the Krishna river is in full flow. Devotees can enter the temple and offer prayers to the Shivalinga only for about four months in a year. - By arrangement

Temple priest Telakapalli Raghunatha Sarma said that water needs to recede by another eight feet before people can enter the temple. "I am hopeful we can enter the temple in the 10 days. The sludge will have to be cleaned up," he said. - By arrangement

Right now, only the gopuram of the temple is visible. - By arrangement

The temple began getting submerged after the construction of the Srisailam dam in 1980. It was not relocated like many other temples in the area. It remained hidden under water for more than 20 years and resurfaced in 2003. - By arrangement

The temple priest said that the Linga, made of neem wood, was installed by the Pandavas after they visited the Srisailam Mallikarjuna temple. - By arrangement

The Shivalinga is said to have been brought from Kashi and consecrated at the confluence of the Krishna and Tungabhadra and other five tributaries. The idol was named Sangameshwaram after the Sangama or confluence of rivers. - By arrangement