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Kshirram is one of the Panchram regions, which are considered sacred to the Hindu Lord Shiva. This temple is located in Palakollu in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh state. Here Shiva is known as Kshir Ramalingeshwar Swami. It is believed that a day's stay in Kshirram was equivalent to a year's stay in Varanasi. This temple is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.
Kshirram is one of the five major Shiva temples of South India, collectively known as "Pancharam Kshetram". The remaining four temples are: Somaram Temple in Bhimavaram, Draksharam Temple in Draksharamam, Kumararam Temple in Samalkota and Amararam Temple in Amravati in Andhra Pradesh.
The temple tower is the tallest of the temple towers in Andhra Pradesh, with a height of 120 feet and 9 floors. It was built during the Chalukya period (9th century) during the reign of Chalukya Bhima. The lingam is milky white in color and is the tallest. The mandap of the temple has 72 pillars made of black stone. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, the main deity is in the centre, while on the left are the sanctums of Gokarneswar and Ganesha and on the right are the sanctuaries of Kartikeya and Vishnu.
The temple was designed by Sri Velupathi in the 10th century. Its manufacturing technique is similar to that of the Chalukya period. The Gopuram was built in the 14th century under the direction of Sri Alladu Reddy. The Kalyan Mandapam (Chowtree) and Ashta Bhuja Lakshmi Narayanaswami Alaya were built in the 17th century.
Mahashivratri is a major festival celebrated in this temple, when thousands of people come to seek the blessings of Kshir Ramalingeshwar Swami.
This temple is located near the main bus station. Palakollu is connected to Indian Railways and the nearest railway station is Palakollu.
There are also temples of many deities like Surya, Parvati, Lakshmi, Nageshwar, Ganesha, Virbhadra, Durga, Brahma, Saraswati, Kartikeya, Bhairav, Shani, Krishna and Radha in the temple premises. The Gostani River flows through Palakollu and joins the Godavari River near Narsapur, making this place even more sacred.