Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Ksheerarama,
Palakollu – Legends
Pancharama
Kshetrams:
According to Amareshwara Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva who
was pleased with the austerities performed by Tharaka presented him with the
Amruthalingam. He further assured Tharaka invincibility against enemies, from
defeat and death, so long as the Lingam was in his possession. Tharaka sported
this Amrutha Lingam around his neck, and on the strength of the boon, wrought
untold misery upon the Devas and other celestial beings. Lord Karthik, who led
the deities to a battle against Tharaka, 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
Tharaka. 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 Lord Vishnu’s suggestions, Karthik used his Agni Asthra to break Taraka’s
Lingam.
The Lingam 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) Kshetrams, 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.
Etymology:
According to legend, Upamanyu the son of sage Kaushik,
requested Lord Shiva to grant him enough milk so that he can carry on the
rituals in the temple. Lord Shiva filled the Ksheera Pushkarni Tank with the
mythical milky ocean (Ksheera Sagaram). Hence this place is known with
different names, Ksheerarama, Palakollu and Dugdhapovanam.
Association
with Lord Rama:
According to another hearsay, Lord Rama along with Sita
and Lakshman had worshipped Shiva at this spot. Once, Maharishi Agastya told
Lord Rama that his complexion has become black after killing Ravana who was a
Brahmin. In order to get rid of the black complexion, Lord Rama was advised to
take a dip in the holy river and also install Shiva Lingas. After installation
of various Shiva Lingas, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana decided to visit
Gosthani river to install Shiva Linga.
Goddess Sita had asked Hanuman to acquire it. Hanuman
couldn’t arrive on time and Sita made a Shiva Linga containing sand and snails.
She did puja. When Hanuman saw this, he got disappointed. Hence Lord Ram assured
Hanuman that first, devotees would pray in front of the Shiva Linga brought by
him and then that of Sita’s.
Lord
Vishnu installed Shiva Linga here:
It is believed that Lord Vishnu installed the Siva Linga
and Tripura Sundari
(Parvati) here.
(Parvati) here.
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