Ksheerarama Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Rajahmundry Airport, about 70 km by road, serves Palakollu with scheduled domestic flights.

• By train

  Palakollu railway station is on the Bhimavaram to Narasapuram branch line under Vijayawada division.

• By road

  The temple is near the main bus station in Palakollu.

Why devotees come here

Ksheerarama Temple stands in Palakollu, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Shiva is worshipped here as Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy, and the temple is one of five Pancharama shrines sacred to Shiva. It is listed among the key heritage and pilgrimage sites of West Godavari district.

Legend says that staying one day at Ksheerarama is equal to staying one year in Varanasi. The temple is the hub of Palakollu's cultural life, drawing pilgrims for worship. Mahashivaratri is an important festival here. Thousands pray at the temple to seek Shiva's blessings for Mukti.

The tower was built in the 9th century, in the Chalukya period, during the reign of Chalukya Bheema. It is 120 ft tall and has nine floors. The lingam is milky white and can be seen from all four sides through the windows of the sanctum. The mandapa has 72 pillars of black stone.

The gopuram, or gateway tower, was built in the 14th century under the direction of Alladu Reddy. In the 17th century the Kalyana mandapam (choultry) and the Ashtha Bhuja Lakshmi Narayanaswamy shrine were added to the complex.

Festivals

• Ask the temple for datesMahashivaratri

  An important festival when thousands of people offer prayers here to seek Shiva's blessings for Mukti.

Tips for your visit

• Mahashivaratri draws thousands of devotees, so expect a crowded day.
• Perupalem Beach on the Bay of Bengal is a popular outing from Palakollu, if you have time for a second stop.

Questions people ask