In the state of Andhra Pradesh visiting the 5 old and ancient temples dedicated God Shiva on the same day is an important religious undertaking called Pancharama kshetra yatra and it is specifically done in the month of Karthikai (November-December). This age old tradition and belief has been that in order to have peace of mind, prosperity and good health undertaking a visit to all the five temples with dedication and trust will help the devotees a lot. Such a religious undertaking will add positivity to their life. The most important criterion being that devotees must go on such a pilgrimage after a head bath in the morning and wearing clean clothes. As for ladies, they can join the pilgrimage provided they are out of menstrual cycle.
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| Pancharama kshetras in Andhra, India. uparnidevi.blogspot.com |
The significance of visiting o Pancharama kshetras is they are worshipping 5 parts of a single Shiva linga that was owned by the Asura King Tarakasura and each is enshrined in a temple at different places. Completion of all five kshetras means you have worshipped Shiva as a single entity.
The five kshetras in Andhra are:
01. Someswara Temple, Somarama, Bhimavaram. chandra West Godavari. consort: Rajarajeswari Ammavaru.
02. Sri Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Kumara swamy Kumararamam, Samalakota. Kumara swamy. consort: Bala Tripurasundari Ammavaru.
03. Bhimeswara Temple, Draksharama, Ramachandrapuram surya E. Godavari. consort: Manikyamba Ammavaru.
04. Amareswara Swamy Temple, Amararama, Amaravati. Indira, E. Godavari. consort: Bala Chamundika Ammavar.
05. Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Ksheeraram, Vishnu, Palakollu, West Godavari; consort: Parvati Ammavaru.
According to the legend: This Sivalinga was owned by Demon King Tarakasura endowed with special power because of the Shivalinga worn by him. He, driven by arrogance and ego, gave all kinds of problems to the saints and sages and pushed them to the fag end of their patience. Upon intense prayer to God Shiva, the lord as Kumara Swamy declared war on the Asura king and could not win him after a long battle. Because of the linga worn by him around his neck, each time when the demon was cut into pieces he would come backalive after joining the cut pieces into one body. Being in a dilemma as to what to do next, God Vishnu appeared before him and advised God Shiva to use his special weapon Agniastra to break the shiva linga worn bythe demon into 5 pieces. God Vishnu further told him that if a temple is built in each place where the five parts of linga fall, the demon won't come back alive and it will be total annihilation for him. Kumara Swamy finally used \his Sakthi aayudha to kíll Taraka that broke the linga into 5 pieces and tore him apart. This time the broken body pieces never got united and the ferocious demon was dead.
On Lord Vishnu's advice the five temples were built over the parts of Shiva linga by different demi gods Surya, Chandra, Indira, and by Vishnu ,and Kumaraswamy himself. These kshetras later became Pancharama Kshetras and one can notice some marks caused by Agniastra (fire missile) on the linga enshrined in each place.
The religious and philosophical connotation of Pancharama is all these 5 lingas represent 5 essential natural elements called Pancha boothas like water, fire, earth, askash (sky) and air without which life can not be sustained on this earth. Even one is missing, life on earth is impossible. This is the reason why there are 4 Pancha Bootha kshetras in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra. They are:
01. Jamukeswarar temple, Thiruvanaikovil near Tiruchi, representing water (Appu lingam),
02. Sri Nataraja temple, Chidambaram, representing sky (Agaya or Akasha, (Agasha Lingam),
03. Sri Kalahasti temple near Thirupati, Andhra, representing air (Kaatru lingam),
04. Arunachaleswarer temple, Thiruvannamalai, representing fire (Agni lingam) and
05. Sri Ekambareswarer temple, Kanchipuram representing earth (Bhoomi Lingam).
The Pancharama kshetras and the Pancha bootha kshetras convey the same message. The god is omnipresent and omnipotent, an embodiment of the ''formless reality''. He is transcendent beyond any specific characteristic. He has neither beginning nor end.
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| Shiva Lingam .pinterest.com |
Above image: Shiva Linga: Yet another implication is Shiva linga symbolizes five different tasks in this universe: Destruction (samhara or involution), creation (Brahma), evolution (srati), preservation (Vishnu) and existence (Sthiti). Sri Nataraja'a cosmic dance reveals the same message. The most important being striking a balance between creation on one hand and destruction on the other. His jadamudi (hair) represents part sky and part water (Ganga.) Agini in one hand represents destruction and Udukku (drum) represents the perpetual rhythmic functioning of the universe and the planets. Besides all he is destroyer of evil forces as revealed by putting demon Mukilan under his foot. His abayamudra shows his compassion for his devotees who who take refuse in him. His other hand mudra poitin downward implies elimination of ''ego'' and ''I'' that hamper a man's progress in life. .........................
Ref:
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2018/09/shiva-linga-30-mystifying-facts.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancharama_Kshetras
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