Ksheera
Ramalingeswara Swamy temple is located in the Palakollu district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one
of the Pancharama Kshetras. The Shivalingam here was installed by Lord Vishnu.
Prakara was designed by Sri Velupathi during the 10th century.The
construction technique resembles those built during the Chalukya period. During
the 14th century, Sri Alladu Reddy constructed the Raja Gopuram. Kalyana mantapam (choultry)
and Ashtha Bhuja Lakshmi Narayanaswamy alaya were constructed during the 17th century.
The
legend behind this temple is, once all the deities were unable to face the
troubles caused by demons. So, they requested Lord Vishnu to protect them from
demon and gave them peace. Lord Vishnu decided to do a special archana to
Ksheera Ramalingeswara to appease Lord Shiva to save all devathas. So Lord
Vishnu collected 1000 Lotus flowers to offer archana for Lord Shiva.
In
order to test the devotion of Vishnu, Lord Shiva had hidden a lotus flower
during the Puja. Lord Vishnu could not
find that single lotus, and then to fulfill his prayer he decided to offer one
of his eyes to Lord Shiva because Vishnu is described as Kamalanarayana (Lotus
like eyes). Lord Shiva wondered about the devotion of Vishnu and appears in
front of him and blessed him and gave a sudarcanachakra. Lord Vishnu wins over
demons with the help of sudarcanachakra and gives peace to all deities.
Ksheera
Ramalingeswara Swamy temple is located Palakollu which is in Andrapradesh. Palakollu is 20Kms from
Bay of Bengal. People say that one day staying in Ksheerarama is equivalent to
staying one year in Varanasi.
A unique specialty of this temple is Shivalingam
can be seen from all four sides of the Garpha Gruharam through windows. The
Shivalingam of this temple is the tallest and white in colour. There are 72 pillars made of black. Tower of this temple is one of the tallest temple towers in
Andhra Pradesh. The height of the temple is 120ft.
Inside
the Garbhalaya (Garbha Gruha), Gokarneshwara and Vigneshwara (Ganapati) alayas
are placed at the left with Ksheeralingam located at the center. To the right,
Subramanya Swamy and Janardhana Swamy alayas with Nandi at the centre are
located.
Do:
Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.