Pancharama Kshetralu
The Pancharamalu or Pancharama Kshetras are famous five ancient Hindu temples of Lord Shiva. The Sivalingas the pancharamalu are made from a single Sivalinga.
The 5 pancharma kshetras are Amararamam in Amaravathi, Draksharama in Draksharamam, Somarama in Bhimavaram, Ksheerarama in Palakollu and Kumararama in Samarlakota.
According to legend Rakshasa king Tarakasura owned a powerful shivalinga,due to this no one could win over him.
In the war of Devas and Asuras, Karitkeya and Tarakasura face each other. Kartikeya tored Tarakasura body with Shakti Aayudha, But, all the pieces reunited to give rise to Taraka. Then Lord Vishnu advised Kartikeya to kill Tarakasura, break the shivalingam worn by Tarakasura and fix them in the place where they fall and worship them building temples on them.
By the power of Aagneasthra of Lord Kumara Swamy, thee Shivalingham broke into five pieces. Then Surya deva by the order of Lord Vishnu fixed the pieces and worshiped them by building temples over them. These five pieces were installed as Sivalingas at five temples by Indra, Surya, Chandra, Vishnu and Kumara Swamy at the respective places. Thus the famous panchrama kshetras are formed.
1. Amararama – Amaravati
Amararama is located in Amaravati in Guntur district, on the bank of Krishna river. Lord shiva is worshipped as Amara Lingeswara swamy, installed by Lord Indira.The Goddess of this temple is Bala Chamundeswari mata. The Venu Gopala swamy temple is also in the campus of the main temple.
2. Draksharama – Draksharamam
Draksharama is located in Draksharamam near Ramachandrapuram. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Bhimeshwara swamy. Lord Shri Rama worshiped Lord Shiva here, followed by Lord Surya and Indra. Goddess Manikyamaba devi, one of 18 shaktipeethas is worshipped here.
3. Somarama – Bhimavaram
Somarama is in Gunupudi, Bhimavaram. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Someswara swamy and goddess is Sri Rajarajeswari. Lord Chandra got rid of his sins here. Hence the name Someswara swamy. The Shivalingam changes its color according to the lunar month – changes to black during Amavasya and white during Pournami.
4. Ksheerarama – Palakollu
Ksheera Ramamam is in Palakollu and Lord Shiva is worshipped as Ksheera Rama Lingeswara swamy. The Lord gave Sudarshana chakra to Lord Vishnu here and Upamanya Maharshi got boons and milk from Lord Shiva, thus the name Ksheera Ramalingeswara swamy. Goddess Parvati is the worshipped here.
5. Kumararama – Samarlkota
Kumaramama is in Samrlkota, about 20 km from Kakinada. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kumara Bhimesawara swamy in the form of very big Shivalinga, which can be seen through second floor. The shivalinga is laid down here, hence the name Kumararamam. Goddess Bala Tripura Sundari devi is worshipped here.
So, Let us visit these Pancharama Kshetra and invoke Lord Shiva’s blessings.