Ksheera Ramalingeswara Temple – Palakollu’s Sacred Pancharama Kshetra

 

Location

• Town: Palakollu
• District: West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
• Temple Name: Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple
• Access: Well-connected by road and rail; nearest major city is Rajahmundry (~60 km)

Deities and Subshrines

• Main Deity: Lord Shiva as Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy
• The Lingam is white in color, symbolizing purity and peace.
• Believed to be installed by Lord Vishnu, making it unique among Shiva temples
• Subshrines:
• Goddess Parvati (consort of Shiva)
• Lord Ganesha
• Lord Vishnu 
• Nandi Mandapam facing the sanctum
• Navagraha shrines and Dakshinamurthy on the temple walls

Temple Significance

• Pancharama Kshetra: One of the five sacred Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh (others are in Draksharamam, Kumararamam, Somaramam, and Amararamam)
• Spiritual Belief:
• Worshipping here is believed to remove sins and grant moksha.
• The white Lingam is said to radiate calmness and healing energy.
• Historical Importance:
• Built in the 9th century by Eastern Chalukya King Bhima
• Later expanded by local rulers; inscriptions and sculptures reflect Chalukyan art
• Architectural Highlights:
• Towering Gopuram known locally as Pedda Gopuram
• Intricate carvings and spacious prakaram (temple courtyard)
• Temple tank used for ritual purification

History

• Built by: Eastern Chalukya King Bhima in the 9th century CE
• Dynastic Influence: Later expanded by local rulers including the Reddy and Vijayanagara kings
• Inscriptions: Found on temple walls, detailing donations and renovations
• Cultural Role: Served as a major Shaiva center in coastal Andhra, attracting pilgrims from across the region

Legends

• Pancharama Mythology:
• After the demon Tarakasura was slain, his Shiva Lingam shattered into five pieces.
• Each piece was installed by divine beings in five locations—forming the Pancharama Kshetras.
• At Palakollu, Lord Vishnu is believed to have installed the Lingam, which turned white like milk (Ksheera), giving the temple its name.
• Spiritual Belief:
• Staying one day at Ksheerarama is said to be equivalent to staying one year in Varanasi.

Architecture

• Gopuram:
• Known locally as Pedda Gopuram
• Stands 120 feet tall, making it one of the tallest temple towers in Andhra Pradesh.
• Features 9 floors, each adorned with Shaiva sculptures and motifs
• Mandapam:
• Constructed with black stone
• Contains 72 intricately carved pillars
• Houses shrines for Gokarneshwara, Vigneshwara, Subramanya Swamy, and Janardhana Swamy
• Sanctum (Garbhalaya):
• Central shrine holds the Ksheera Lingam, facing east
• Surrounded by subshrines and a spacious prakaram (courtyard)
• Temple Tank:
• Located nearby, used for ritual purification
• Fed by the Gostani River, which flows close to Palakollu

Rituals

• Daily Pujas:
• Suprabhata Seva at dawn
• Abhishekam with milk, curd, honey, and sacred water
• Archana with Bilva leaves and flowers
• Deepa Aradhana in the evening
• Special Rituals:
• Rudrabhishekam on Mondays and Pradosham days
• Ksheerabhishekam (milk-only abhishekam) is considered highly auspicious
• Navagraha pujas and Dakshinamurthy homams for planetary peace
• Temple Tank Rituals:
• Devotees bathe in the temple tank before entering the sanctum
• Believed to purify sins and enhance spiritual merit

Festivals

• Maha Shivaratri:
• Celebrated with night-long abhishekams, chanting of Rudram, and devotional music
• Thousands of devotees participate in Jagaran and linga darshan
• Karthika Masam:
• Month-long celebrations with deepa daanam, Karthika Somavaram pujas, and vanabhojanams
• Devotees light lamps and perform Shiva–Vishnu dual worship
• Pradosham:
• Bi-monthly observance on Trayodashi evening
• Special Nandi puja and abhishekam to Lord Shiva
• Sravana Masam:
• Celebrated with Laksha Bilva Archana and Vara Lakshmi Vratham in the Parvati shrine

Beliefs

• White Shiva Lingam:
• Symbolizes purity, peace, and sattvic energy
• Believed to be installed by Lord Vishnu, making it unique among Shiva temples
• Pancharama Kshetra Merit:
• Worshipping here is said to be equivalent to a year’s stay in Varanasi
• Devotees believe it grants moksha and freedom from karmic cycles
• Healing and Mental Peace:
• The Lingam is believed to radiate calmness and healing vibrations
• Devotees seek relief from stress, illness, and spiritual confusion
• Dual Worship Tradition:
• Shiva–Vishnu worship reflects harmony between Shaiva and Vaishnava paths
• Parvati and Vishnu shrines within the temple support family blessings and prosperity

Temple Hours

• Morning Hours: 5:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Evening Hours: 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
• Best Darshan Time: Early morning (6:00–8:00 AM) and evening (5:00–7:00 PM)
• Special Days: Extended hours and special pujas during Maha Shivaratri, Karthika Masam, and Pradosham

Getting Here

• By Road:
• From Rajahmundry: ~67 km via NH216
• From Bhimavaram: ~22 km
• From Eluru: ~85 km
• From Vijayawada: ~138 km
• From Visakhapatnam: ~258 km
• Regular APSRTC buses and private taxis available
• By Train:
• Nearest station: Palakollu Railway Station (~1.7 km from temple)
• Well-connected to Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, and Hyderabad
• By Air:
• Nearest airport: Rajahmundry Airport (~70 km)
• Alternative: Vijayawada Airport (~140 km)

Tips

• Footwear: Remove shoes before entering temple premises; counters available near entrance
• Dress Code: Traditional attire preferred; avoid shorts or sleeveless tops
• Panchamritam and Prasadam: Available at temple counters; devotees often carry home sacred water from abhishekam
• Photography: Restricted inside sanctum; permitted in outer prakaram
• Stay Options: Lodges and guest houses available in Palakollu; book early during festivals
• Nearby Temples: Combine visit with Someswara Temple in Bhimavaram (22 km) for Pancharama circuit
• Festival Crowds: Arrive early and expect long queues during Shivaratri and Karthika Masam