According to the legend in the scriptures, demon Tarakasura after doing great Tapasya was gifted an Atma Linga by Lord Shiva which was a very powerful one.
Later Tarakasura committed many crimes and tormented the Devatass. So the Devas arranged Goddess Parvathi’s marriage with Lord Shiva and Lord Kartikeya was born. Kartikeya killed Tarakasura and destroyed the Atmalinga. The broken pieces of the Atmalinga fell at 5 places which became holy places known as ‘Pancharamams’.
The first one is Amareshwara in Amaravathi, installed by Lord Indra.
The second one is Someswara in Bheemavaram installed by Lord Chandra.
The third is Ksheera Ramalingeswara in Palakollu installed by Lord Rama.
The fourth is Kumara Rama Bheemeswara in samrlakota installed by Kartikeya.
The fifth one is Bheemeswara who had shown himself in Drakshramam.
How to visit:
Air: Rajahmundry Airport is 163 kms away.
The best way is to go to the cities Kakinada or Vijayavada or Guntur. All are well connected by train and bus. From there you can take a taxi or bus and visit the Pancharama temples.
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), Kakinada Depot runs circular tours covering all the 5 pancharamas (Amaravathi, Bhimavaram, Palakollu, Draksharama, and Samalkota) in a span of 24 hours. The journey starts at 8:00 pm every Sunday and ends at 8:00 pm next day covering 700 km (430 mi) approximately. Currently charges are Rs.350/- and are inclusive of darshan charges at the respective places.
