Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Andhara Pradesh

Address

Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Andhara Pradesh
Palakollu,
West Godavari District,
Andhara Pradesh – 534260.

Moolavar

Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy

Amman

Parvati

Introduction

Location:

• Located in Palakollu, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.
• Part of the Pancharama Kshetras (five sacred Shiva temples).

Significance:

• The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy.
• It is believed that staying one day here equals spending a year in Varanasi.
• The temple is a nationally protected monument.

Historical Background:

• Built in 918 A.D. by King Bheemeswara of the Chalukya dynasty.
• Notable poets Nanayya, Thikkana, and Srinatha visited the shrine.

Pancharama Kshetrams:

• The temple is one of the five sites formed by pieces of the Amruthalingam broken by Lord Vishnu and Lord Karthik.
• Other Pancharama Kshetrams: Amararama (Amaravati), Bhimeshwara (Draksharamam), Somarama (Bhimavaram), and Kumararama (Samalkot).

Etymology:

• The name “Ksheerarama” is linked to the story of Upamanyu, the son of sage Kaushik, who requested Lord Shiva for milk, leading to the creation of the Ksheera Pushkarni Tank.

Lord Rama’s Association:

• Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are believed to have worshipped here to purify Rama’s dark complexion after killing Ravana.
• Hanuman is also part of the legend regarding the installation of the Shiva Lingas.

Special Features:

• The temple’s Shivalinga is milky white and one of the tallest.
• The Mandapam has 72 black stone pillars.
• Other shrines include Gokarneswara, Vigneshwara, Subramanya Swamy, and Janardhana Swamy.
• The Gosthani River flows through the town and meets the Godavari River near Narsapur.

Temple Tower:

• The temple’s tower is 120 feet high with 9 floors, built during the Chalukya period.

Festivals:

• Mahasivaratri is a major festival, drawing thousands of devotees for prayers and blessings of Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy.

Century/Period

The temple was built in 918 A.D. by the King Bheemeswara of Chalukya Dynasty

Managed By

Archaeological Survey of India

Nearest Bus Station

Bhimavaram, Palakollu.

Nearest Railway Station

Vijaywada railway junction.

Nearest Airport

Vijaywada

Location on Map

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