Ksheerarama

Ksheerarama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is located in Palakollu of West Godavari in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Lord Shiva is known locally as Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy. The Sivalinga was established by Lord Vishnu. It is believed that staying one day in Kshirarama is equivalent to staying one year in Varanasi. It is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.[2]

Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple
Temple Complex as seen from the Main temple tower
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	West Godavari
Deity	Shiva, Parvathi
Festivals	Maha Shivaratri
Location
Location	Palakollu
State	Andhra Pradesh
Country	India
Shown within Andhra Pradesh
Geographic coordinates	16.5333°N 81.7333°E
Architecture
Creator	Chalukya Bheema[1]
Completed	14th century
Temple(s)	1

It is one of the five powerful Shiva temples in Southern India that form the Pancharama Kshetram. The remaining four are Somarama Temple in Bhimavaram; Draksharama Temple in Draksharamam; Kumararama Temple in Samalkota; and Amararama Temple in Amaravati, state of Andhra Pradesh.

Architecture

The tower is one of the tallest among the temple towers in Andhra Pradesh. The height of the temple is 120 ft and 9 floors and was constructed during the Chalukya period (9th century) during the reign of Chalukya Bheema.

The Shivaling is a unique milky white in colour and the tallest. There are 72 pillars made of black stone in the temple mandapa. Inside, the garbhalaya, Gokarneswara and Vigneswara alayas are at the left. Kshiralingam is in the center. To the right are Subramanya Swamy and Janardhana Swamy alayas; Nandi is at the centre.

The Gostani River flows through Palakollu and there is a sangam (confluence) near Narsapur with the Godavari River. From here the river empties into the sea at Antarvedi. The Moola Virat (lingam), can be seen from the windows of the Garbha Gudiall on all four sides.

The temple complex has many shrines, including the Sun God (Kasi Vishweswara), Goddess Parvathi, Goddess Lakshmi, Nagareswara Lingam, Dundi Vigneswara, Veera Bhadra, Sapta Matruka, Kanaka Durga, Brahma, Saraswathi, Kumara Swamy, Kartikeya, Mahishasura Mardhini, Kala Bhairava, Naga sarpa, Nataraja, Dattatreya, Nageswara, Saneeswara, Radha Krishna, and Sankara.

History

The Prakara was designed by Sri Velupathi during the 10th century. The construction technique resembles those built during the Chalukya period. Gopuram was constructed under the direction of sri Alladu Reddy during the 14th century.[3] During the 17th century, Kalyana mantapam (choultry) and Ashtha Bhuja Lakshmi Narayanaswamy alaya were constructed.

Festivals

Mahasivaratri is an important festival when thousands of people offer prayers to seek the blessings of the Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy to attain Mukti.

Transport

This temple is near the main bus station. Palakollu is connected to Indian Railways; the nearest railway station is Palakollu.

External links

• Ksheerarama

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. "Centrally Protected Monuments". Archeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
3. Temple history

Photo gallery

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  Ksheerarama temple tower is the tallest in Andhra Pradesh at 120 ft.