Kualo or Karmula was the ancient capital of Dhenkanal. Kualo is situated in the northern region of Dhenkanal town at a distance of 32 Km on the right side of river Brahmani. The kingdom was ruted by the shulki kings who hold `stamba` epithets. They were the feudatories of the Bahmukar kings and their deity was Lord Shiva. Hence we observe eight Shiva temples at Kualo known as `Ashta Sambhu`. These eight Shiva lingams are known as - Kanakeswar, Swapneswar, Aisneswar, Kapileswar, Baidyanatheswar, Baneswar and Lokanatheswar.