The Pancharama Kshetras or the Pancharamas, are a group of five ancient Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Siva, located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. These temples are situated at Draksharamam, Samalkota, Amaravathi, Palakollu, and Bhimavaram. According to regional legend, the lingams in these temples, referred to as aramas, are believed to have been created from a single, unified Siva lingam. While there is no definitive evidence regarding the simultaneous construction of the Pancharama temples, it is generally believed that each temple was established between the 10th and 11th centuries. Historical records, including inscriptions and literary references, indicate that the temples have been collectively referred to as the Pancharamas since at least the 12th century.

History

The Pancharama temples are located in the Godavari and Krishna river regions of Andhra Pradesh. These five Siva temples are situated at Draksharamam (Konaseema district), Samalkot (Kakinada district), Amaravathi (Palnadu district), Palakollu, and Bhimavaram (West Godavari district). All the temples, except the one at Amaravathi, are located within the Godavari region. Legend attributes the founding of the Pancharama temples to Indra. However, there is no evidence to suggest that all five temples were constructed at the same time. No foundation inscriptions have been found to provide definitive dates for their establishment or consecration. It is generally believed that each temple was established between the 10th and 11th centuries. Historical records, including inscriptions and literary references, suggest that these temples have been collectively referred to as the Pancharamas since the 12th century. Historian K. V. Soundara Rajan attributes the construction of the five Siva shrines at Chebrolu, Samalkot, Draksharamam, Amaravathi, and Palakollu to Chalukya Bhima I (888–918 CE), the Eastern Chalukyan king during his reign. However, there is no concrete evidence supporting the idea that all five temples were built by Bhima I. And, the Bhimeswara temple at Chebrolu, despite its early architectural features, is not mentioned in medieval records as part of the Pancharama group of temples.

Kumararama, Samarlakota

The Bhimeswara temple at Samarlakota is attributed to Chalukya Bhima I (888–918 CE), the Eastern Chalukyan king. The temple is located near Chalukya Bhimavaram, close to Samalkota. An inscription found at Pithapuram credits Chalukya Bhima with its construction, describing him as the son of Vikramaditya, who ruled for 30 years and is said to have won 360 battles. Although some scholars propose that Chalukya Bhima II (934–945 CE) may have been responsible for the temple's construction, most evidence supports Chalukya Bhima I as its founder.

Draksharama, Draksharamam

The Bhimeswara temple at Draksharama is traditionally attributed to Chalukya Bhima I, though this lacks epigraphical support. An inscription from the reign of Amma II (945–970 CE) mentions an official named Kuppanarya, who constructed a Siva shrine at Draksharama named Kuppesvara, though no temple by that name exists now. The earliest inscription at the Bhimesvara temple, dated 1081 CE, indicates its existence before this time. Another inscription from 982 CE mentions the temple, suggesting it was built in the early 10th century, possibly during Kuppanarya's time.

Amararama, Amaravathi

The Amareswara temple at Amaravathi can be dated based on epigraphical and historical evidence. Of the 35 inscriptions on its walls, the earliest is from 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 built later. Scholars estimate that the temple likely originated in the 11th century. Over time, legends associated with the Bhimesvara temples may have linked them to the Amareswara temple.

Ksheerarama, Palakollu

The Ksheera Ramalingeswara temple at Palakollu is traditionally associated with Narēndra Mrugarāja (Vijayaditya), who, according to the Edarupalli copper plate grant, built the Siva temple after fighting 108 battles. The temple, part of the pācharama shrines, is a single-storey structure with a small linga, unlike the usual two-storey shrines. Of the forty-six inscriptions 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), placing the temple's construction in the 10th century. However, architectural features suggest it underwent renovations in later periods, indicating a slightly later date than other Pancharama temples.

Legend

As per regional tradition, a lingam was owned by the asura king Tarakasura. Due to his possession of the lingam, he was invincible in battle. In the war between the devas and the asuras under Tarakasura, Kartikeya and Tarakasura met in combat. Kartikeya used his weapon of shakti to kíll Tarakasura. By the power of this weapon, the body of Tarakasura was torn to pieces. But to the astonishment of Kartikeya, all the pieces reunited to give rise to a revived Tarakasura. He repeatedly broke the asura's body into pieces, and yet the pieces re-unified repeatedly. Even as Kartikeya grew baffled, Vishnu appeared before him and informed him that Tarakasura would be resurrected as long as the lingam he wore on his form was intact, and hence the lingam would have to be shattered for his victory. The deity also stated that after breaking, the pieces of the lingam would try to reunite. To prevent the lingam from reuniting, all the pieces would have to be established in the places where they would fall, by way of worshipping them and building temples over them. Heeding the words of Vishnu, Kartikeya used his agneyastra (a celestial weapon of fire) to break the lingam that was worn by Tarakasura. The lingam broke into five pieces, and started to reintegrate to the chant of the sacred syllable Om. Surya, by the order of Vishnu, established the pieces where they fell and worshipped them by building temples over them. After the consecration of the temples, the pieces stopped their attempts to reunite and became famous as the Pancharama Kshetras. All the five lingams in these five places have scale-like marks on them, which are believed to have formed by the power of the agneyastra used by Kartikeya.

Temples

These places (or Aramas) are as follows: