Pancharama Kshetras

Tour to Pancharama Kshetras

The Pancharama Kshetras are five sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh These temples are considered among the most significant pilgrimage destinations for devotees of Lord Shiva The Pancharama Kshetras are believed to be the places where Lord Shiva manifested himself as a form of the linga in a divine manifestation and they are part of the rich spiritual heritage of India The temples are associated with ancient legends and are known for their unique architectural styles serene surroundings and deep spiritual significance

The Five Pancharama Kshetras

Kumararama Samarlakota

The Bhimeswara Temple at Samarlakota is traditionally attributed to Chalukya Bhima I 888 918 CE the Eastern Chalukyan king This temple is located near Chalukya Bhimavaram close to Samalkota An inscription discovered at Pithapuram credits Chalukya Bhima with the temple s construction describing him as the son of Vikramaditya who ruled for 30 years and is said to have won 360 battles While some scholars suggest Chalukya Bhima II 934 945 CE may have built the temple most evidence supports Chalukya Bhima I as its founder

Draksharama Draksharamam

The Bhimeswara Temple at Draksharama is traditionally attributed to Chalukya Bhima I although there is no epigraphical evidence to directly confirm this An inscription from the reign of Amma II 945 970 CE mentions an official named Kuppanarya who is credited with constructing a Shiva shrine at Draksharama named Kuppesvara However no temple by this name exists today The earliest inscription found at the Bhimesvara Temple dates to 1081 CE suggesting the temple existed prior to this Another inscription from 982 CE mentions the temple indicating it was likely built during the early 10th century possibly during Kuppanarya s time

Amararama Amaravathi

The Amareswara Temple at Amaravathi is dated based on epigraphical and historical evidence Of the 35 inscriptions on its walls the earliest dates back to 1129 CE While its Dravidian architectural style resembles the 10th century Bhimesvara temples at Samalkot and Draksharama the absence of earlier inscriptions suggests the temple was constructed later Scholars estimate the temple was likely built in the 11th century Over time legends associated with the Bhimesvara temples may have been linked to the Amareswara Temple

Ksheerarama Palakollu

The Ksheera Ramalingeswara Temple at Palakollu is traditionally associated with Nar ndra Mrugar ja Vijayaditya who according to the Edarupalli copper plate grant built the Shiva temple after fighting 108 battles This temple which is part of the Pancharama shrines is a single storey structure with a small linga unlike the usual two storey shrines Of the forty six inscriptions found on the temple the earliest dates to 1156 CE with the latest recorded in 1640 CE Based on the epigraphical evidence the temple is believed to have been constructed in the 11th century CE

Somaramam Bhimavaram

The Someswara Temple at Bhimavaram is associated with the legend of Tarakasura where a piece of the Sivalinga which fell from his neck was installed by Chandra The earliest inscription found in the temple dates to the reign of Eastern Chalukyan king Saktivarma I 1001 1011 CE indicating the temple s construction in the 10th century However architectural features suggest that the temple underwent renovations in later periods indicating that it may have been built slightly later than the other Pancharama temples