Raikal Kesavanatha Swamy Temple of Karimnagar district is one of the ancient temples in Telangana. Kesavanatha Swamy Temples was built in the 13th century by the rulers of Kakatiya dynasty, who ruled this area for several centuries.
The utmost significant feature of this temple is its presiding deity Panchamukhalingeswara Swamy (Lord Siva with five faces) which is believed to be one of the only two existing, the other being at Varanasi.
Another historically significant feature of Raikal is this village hosts a famous religious fair ‘Bhimanna Jathara’, which is held for 3 days during January – March.
Apart from Maha Shivaratri, Ugadi (Telugu New Year), Shravana Masam, Vinayaka Chavithi, Karthika Masam, Devi Sharan Navaratri (Dasara Navratri – Bathukamma festival), Magha Masam, etc. are the grand festivals celebrated at this temple.
There is one more famous Temple here which is dedicated to Sri Ayyappa Swamy. Ayyappa Swamy Temple is visited by thousands of devotees every year. Ayyappa Deeksha period (Karthika Masam, Margashira Masam, Magha Masam, Pushya Masam) is the most celebrated time at Raikal Ayyappa Swamy Temple.