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Pancharama Kshetras

Five Shiva Shrines of the Godavari Delta

Pancharama Kshetras

Five ancient Shiva temples of the Krishna–Godavari delta in Andhra Pradesh.

5 Destinations

About this Circuit

The Pancharama Kshetras are five ancient Shiva temples in the Krishna and Godavari delta region of Andhra Pradesh, all associated with fragments of the defeated demon Tarakasura's linga. Legend holds that after the demon was slain by Lord Murugan, his shattered linga fell in five places — and Shiva took up residence in each shard. Each temple is dedicated to a distinct form of Shiva and together they form one of the most revered Shaivite circuits in the Deccan.

Pilgrim Tip

The five temples lie between Vijayawada and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and can be covered in 3 days by road. Amaravati (Amareswara) is the grandest and most visited. The circuit is particularly auspicious during Mahashivaratri.

Temples in this Circuit

5 sacred shrines

1

Amareswara Temple

Amareswara · Amaravati
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh·Lord Shiva

The principal Pancharama shrine, dedicated to Lord Amareswara (Shiva), in the historic city of Amaravati on the banks of the Krishna River. Amaravati was once the capital of the ancient Satavahana dynasty and a major Buddhist centre, and the temple today stands beside the ruins of the Amaravati Stupa.

2
Draksharama Bhimeshwara Temple

Draksharama Bhimeshwara Temple

Bhimeshwara · Draksharamam
Draksharamam, Andhra Pradesh·Lord Shiva

One of the Pancharama Kshetras, dedicated to Lord Bhimeshwara (Shiva), renowned for its intricate Chalukya-style stone carvings and towering gopuram. It also enshrines the goddess Manikyamba, one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas, giving it dual Shaiva and Shakta significance.

3

Kumararama Bhimeshwara Temple

Bhimeshwara · Samarlakota
Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh·Lord Shiva

A Pancharama shrine dedicated to Lord Bhimeshwara, one of five temples enshrining a single Shiva lingam said to have been split by Lord Vishnu's discus. It features a 30-metre gopuram and a sacred pond, Kumara Pushkarini, whose waters are believed to have healing properties.

4

Ksheerarama Bhimeshwara Temple

Ksheerarama · Palakollu
Palakollu, Andhra Pradesh·Lord Shiva

The Pancharama Ksheerarama shrine, where the Shiva lingam is believed to have emerged from a pot of milk (ksheera) during the splitting of a cosmic lingam by Vishnu's discus. Set amid the paddy fields of the Godavari delta, it also houses a shrine to Parvati as Ksheera Rameswari.

5

Somarama Bhimeshwara Temple

Somarama · Bhimavaram

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