TN & AP Edition – Part 1
Five for peace
June 30, 2017 00:00 IST
Updated: June 30, 2017 05:08 IST
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Sri Amararama temple, in Amaravathi in Guntur district. and inscriptions found inside the temple. (Below) The temple pushkarani at Samarlakota near Kakinada
The Pancharama circuit in Andhra Pradesh is linked to the concept of nectar
A chance visit to the Ksheerarama temple in Palakkolu while holidaying at panoramic Dindi, the charming village on the backwaters of the Godavari, prompted us to visit the Pancharama circuit. The Pancharama Kshetras or Pancharamams of Andhra Pradesh are ancient temples dedicated to Lord Siva. In the order in which these broken pieces were rounded, the temples that have come to be associated with them are Amararama in Amaravathi in Guntur district, Kumararamam at Samarlakota near Kakinada, Draksharamam at Draksharamam in Ramachandrapuram, Somaramam at Bhimavaram and Ksheeraramam at Palakollu. It is a widely held belief that a visit to all five temples in a single day would ensure salvation.
There are several interesting puranic stories associated with the origin of these shrines. The most popular one refers to the demon king Tarakasura or Taraka and his destruction by Lord Karthik. According to Amareshwara Skanda Purana, Siva who was pleased with the austerities performed by Taraka presented him with the Amruthalingam. He further assured Taraka invincibility against enemies, from defeat and death, so long as the Lingam was in his possession. Taraka sported this Amrutha Lingam around his neck, and on the strength of the boon, wrought untold misery upon the Devas and other celestial beings.
Karthik, who led the deities to a battle against Taraka, was unable to vanquish him even after using the most potent Shakti weapon on him. Much to the deities’ distress and mortification, though the weapon cut the demon into several pieces, they reunited to give life to Taraka. An exasperated Karthik approached Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu revealed to Karthik that in order to destroy the demon, he had to first break the Amrutha Lingam and also prevent the broken pieces from reuniting.
Acting upon Vishnu’s suggestions, Kathik used his Agniasthra to break Taraka’s Lingam. The Lingam which exploded into five pieces, tried to unify by chanting Omkara Nadha. At that very instant, Indra, Surya, Chandra and Vishnu himself, joined Karthik in fixing these broken pieces in the locations where they fell. Thus were born the Pancharama (Pancha meaning five and Aarama meaning peace) Kshetras, in five different areas of Andhra Pradesh — Amararama in Amaravati, Bhimeshwara in Draksharamam, Somarama in Bhimavaram, Ksheerarama in Palakkolu and Kumararama in Samalkot. It is believed that the worship of these Lingams, or mere darshan of these shrines, would bestow peace and bliss upon the devotees.
According to the Bheemeshwara Puranam, in the battle between devas and asuras after nectar was obtained the latter were killed. However, a Sivalingam worshipped by Tripurasura, remained intact. Siva himself divided this Lingam into five pieces and installed them in the five places that subsequently came to be known as the Pancharama Kshetras (Andhra Pradesh).
Scaly markings on lingam
A unique feature of the five Lingams which are of varied sizes is that they have scaly markings on them. These are believed to have been caused by the intensity of the Agniasthra as it struck the Amrutha Lingam.
Amararama in Amaravathi, 35 km from Guntur, is also the only one that lies on the banks of the Krishna River while the other four are located, two each in the East and West Godavari districts. The temple located on Krouncha Shaila, a small hillock on the banks of the Krishna, is a blend of Buddhist and Dravidian architecture, with four lofty gopurams in its outer circumambulatory path.
The sanctum sanctorum which is at an elevation from the ground, is accessed by a flight of steps. The presiding deity is known as Amareshwara, Amaralingeswara or Krouchandha. Amarareshwara, the 15 ft tall white marble lingam with a circumference of 3 ft, is the biggest of the Pancharama Lingams. Legend has it that Shukra, the preceptor of the Asuras, worshipped Amareshwara who was installed by Indra with the help of Brihaspathi, the Guru of the Devas. It is widely believed that the dent on the apex of the Lingam and the few lines on its sides were made by Arjuna on Lord Siva during his incarnation as Kirata.
Prayers and abisheka are offered to the Lingam from a height that is reached by steps in the sanctum. Bala Chamundeshwari Devi, consort of the Lord, is the presiding goddess in the temple and is supposed to have been installed by Adi Sankara.
The temple has three circumambulatory paths or prakaras where there are shrines to several gods, including one for Vishnu as Venugopalaswamy, in keeping with Agama sastra. Though the temple is believed to have been in existence since the Vedic age, stone inscriptions indicate worship by members of royal families since 500 BCE.
Massive gates
Samarlakota, located 12 km from Kakinada, is known as Bhimavara Kshetram. According to inscriptions found in the temple, the village was known as Chalukya Bhimavaram in ancient times.
In its design and structure, the ninth century edifice shares common features with the Draksharamam temple. The temple has two circumambulatory walls made of dressed sandstone, surrounding it. The outermost wall of the temple is punctuated by four massive gates with tall gopurams on its four sides. The inner wall is horizontally divided into two sections, separated by a cornice. As in Draksharamam, the temple is two-tiered with the sanctum sanctorum containing the top segment of a 14-ft lingam, covered with silver kavacham.
The lingam rises from the pedestal on the ground floor, and enters the sanctum sanctorum in the second floor where it is worshipped as Rudrabhaga, Siva in facial form adorned with a silver kavacham. The vimanam of the main shrine underwent renovations and in its present form consists of horizontal bands of friezes containing sculptures of various animals and floral motifs.
To be concluded
Indra, Surya, Chandra and Vishnu joined Karthik in fixing the broken pieces of Taraka’s lingam in the locations where they fell. Thus were born the Pancharama Kshetras
Concluding Part 2 in AP and B’lore Editions
Rich in lore and sculptures
July 07, 2017 00:00 IST
Updated: July 07, 2017 05:04 IST
The stories of the Pancharama kshetrams have links to the sun and the moon
This is the concluding part of the article on Pancharama Kshetrams in Andhra Pradesh .
Draksharamam, referred to as ‘Dakshin Kasi’ and located near Ramachandrapuram, is 40 km from Rajahmundry and 17 km from Kakinada. The ASI-protected monument lies in the midst of a mammoth lawns — well-manicured and lush.
Inscriptions in the temple reveal that it was built between the 9th and 10th centuries CE, by the Eastern Chalukyan king, Bhima. Architecturally and sculpturally, it reflects a blend of Chalukyan and Chola styles.
It is believed that Surya, the Sun god, installed the Lingam, and that Lord Rama worshipped Siva here. The pillars and walls of the temple have gorgeous sculptures, depicting the ethos of the deities in myriad forms. Parvati is worshipped here as Manikyamba.
According to folklore, the seven or Sapta Maha Rishis divided the sacred Godavari at Draksharamam into seven streams, in order to successfully complete their penance. Three of these — Bharadwaja, Viswamitra and Jamadagni — known as Antarvahinis — disappeared underground. The temple, however, has a tank known as ‘Sapta Godavari Kundam,’ a confluence of the seven streams.
Somaramam
Historical records point to the East Chalukyan king, Chalukya Bhima, as having built the Somarama Temple in Gunupudi village in Bhimavaram.
The freshly painted temple overlooks the sacred Chandra Kundam or pond, also known as Somakundam or Chandra Pushkarani. Soma or Chandra, the Moon god, is believed to have rid himself of his sins by bathing in this tank. He worshipped Siva here after consecrating a broken piece of the Amrutha Lingam.
A distinct feature of the Someswara Swamy lingam is that it changes colour according to the lunar month. While it is white during Pournami (full moon) , it is brownish white on Amavasya, (moonless night).
The two-storied temple has Annapoorna Devi on the first floor, which is a speciality. The common belief is that the goddess is a representation of River Ganga flowing eternally from the tresses of Lord Siva, a symbol of abundance.
The temple also has shrines dedicated to Hanuman, Karthik and the Navagrahas. Since the guardian deity or kshetrapalaka of the temple is Janardhanaswamy, it is staunchly believed that those getting married in this temple are blessed with a happy marital life.
Ksheeraramam
Pedda Gopuram dots the city skyline of Palakollu. The ninth century Ksheera Ramalingeshwara temple is simply referred to as Pedda Gopuram on account of its towering gopuram, which was built in the 14th century, though its courtyard was designed and constructed in the 10th century. The temple, which rises 120 ft high, is held aloft by 72 sturdy black stone pillars. The presiding deity is believed to have given Sudarshana Chakra to Lord Vishnu who consecrated the Lingam, when it fell here.
The Siva Lingam can be seen from all sides through windows in the sanctum. While Parvati is the reigning consort here as in the other Pancharama temples, there are shrines for other gods too. The temple that lies in the heart of Palakollu, has a pair of courtyards.
The outer courtyard has a tall Dwajasthambam in front of which is an idol of Siva facing the temple’s entrance. It is also here that sage Upamanya obtained boons and milk from Siva, giving rise to Ksheera (milk) Ramalingeshwara. It is widely believed that a day’s stay at Ksheerarama is equivalent to spending a year in Varanasi!
Historical records point to the East Chalukyan king, Chalukya Bhima, as having built the Somarama Temple in Gunupudi village in Bhimavaram
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