Five Powerful Shiva Temples in Andhra Pradesh – Pancharamam Kshetras
India is land of discovery. Its history is dates back to thousands of years and still unknown. We constantly find new archeological evidences challenging the prevailing theory of human evolution.
On such place is Andhra Pradesh which is bound by the coastal India on one side, eternal lifeline rivers of Krishna and Godavari and blessed with one of oldest temples in India.
Month of Karthika is most auspicious time for people of India. As per scriptures this is the time to travel to rivers, visit temples, orient focus on nature, prayer, gifting and seek the blessings from Gods who blessed this country for ages. It’s the time of Shiva who destroys the ignorance with light of knowledge. People symbolize the time by lighting up Diyas everywhere as ritual. Looking at rational side, in Karthik masa climate get colder and days get darker soon in evenings, lighting up Diyas give comfort of warmth and blissful evening with series of Diyas
This year we had wonderful opportunity to visit famous Shiva Temples called Pancharama Kshetras.
Pancharama literally means 5 pieces. In Andhra Pradesh, Pachanrama Kshetras are five powerful Shiva temples referred in many historical and Vedic scripts. Unique connecting point of these temples is that, all five Shiva lings in these temples are of same type of material, texture and color.
As per legend there was demon king Tarakasura who got the boon to have lord Shiva as Linga form in his body, so that no one dares to attack him making him immortal. With new power of Shiva located in his body, he starts to disturb the peace by raging wars against all kings and gods. Lord Kumara Swamy takes charge of fighting the daemon. After intense battle without any sign of victory, Lord Vishnu advises him to break the Shiva Linga in his body, which is the only and last option to destroy the daemon. Lord Kumara Swamy breaks the Shiva lingam with his powerful weapon thus killing Tarakasura. In this process, Shiva lingam breaks into 5 pieces and scatters across different places. These places have now become spiritual places and is visited by many spiritual seekers experiencing power of Shiva. Further, in scriptures it was documented that different gods have consecrated these temples giving them unique identity.
Pancharama Keshetras are:
- Amara Ramam, Amaravathi, AP
- Soma Ramam, Bhimavaram, AP
- Kshera Ramam, Palakollu, AP
- Draksha Ramam, Draksharama, AP
- Kumara Ramam, Samarlakota, AP
In realty these temples are spread widely across 550 KM’s in Andhra Pradesh and of different architecture, but the main Shiva Lingam looks exactly similar and it’s unlike any rock or material found locally in that place. This makes them mystic and leaves us in awe with thoughts to explore the connection from legendary scripts and live realty in front of your eyes.
In 2022 Karthika masa, we had blessings of Lord Shiva to visit these pancharama kshetras and experience the divinity. We travelled across temples in car making even more special to experience local food, stop for photo spots which are in abundance and loads of memories for lifetime. The faith, history, culture and beautiful locations in and around these places are special and needs to discovered and shared with world.
Stay tuned as we share our unique travel log and am sure it will encourage you to make your travel plans to these treasures of India.
Namame Bharath!
