Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, Amaravati – Pancharama Temple & How to Reach from Vijayawada

If you are planning to visit the Pancharama temples of Andhra Pradesh, the Sri Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple in Amaravati is a place I would strongly recommend including in your journey. Also known as Amararama, this is one of the five sacred Pancharama Kshetras dedicated to Lord Shiva in Andhra Pradesh.

What makes this visit even more special for me is that you can combine the temple visit with the peaceful surroundings of the Krishna River, which flows beside the temple.

If you are travelling from Hyderabad to Amaravati, I would recommend reaching Vijayawada first and then taking a local APSRTC bus towards Amaravati. This makes the journey quite straightforward.

In this guide, I am sharing the route, bus information, temple timings, my practical travel experience and the important things I noticed while visiting Sri Amaralingeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam.

Quick Information

I have also recorded a short video that covers the importance of Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple and how to reach Amaravati from Vijayawada. You can watch it below before reading the detailed guide.

About Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, Amaravati

The Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple is located in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, on the southern bank of the Krishna River.

The presiding deity is Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Amaralingeswara Swamy / Amareswara Swamy, and the goddess is Bala Chamundeshwari Devi.

The temple is one of the five Pancharama temples, making Amaravati an important destination for devotees planning a Pancharama pilgrimage.

The other four Pancharama temples are:

• Draksharama – Bhimeswara Swamy Temple
• Samalkota – Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple
• Bhimavaram – Someswara Swamy Temple
• Palakollu – Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple

The Amaravati temple is traditionally known as Amararama, and it is considered the first of the five Pancharama temples.

Why Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple Is Special

One of the Pancharama Kshetras

Amararama is counted among the five Pancharama Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh, which is why so many devotees plan Amaravati as part of a larger Shiva pilgrimage rather than a standalone temple visit. If you are working out the full circuit, our guide to planning the complete Pancharama temple circuit from Hyderabad covers how the five temples fit together in one route.

The Tall Shiva Lingam

One of the first things you notice when you learn about this temple is the unusually tall Shiva Lingam.

The Shiva Lingam here is traditionally described as being very tall, and the temple's priests use a raised platform while performing rituals and Abhishekam.

According to traditional accounts, the Shiva Lingam is associated with Lord Indra, while the temple's later history is closely connected with Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu, who expanded and renovated the temple.

The temple has also been an important part of the religious and cultural landscape of Amaravati for centuries.

Bala Chamundeshwari Devi

The goddess worshipped at the temple is Bala Chamundeshwari Devi, and devotees visiting Amararama usually include her darshan along with the darshan of Amaralingeswara Swamy.

Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple Timings

For a normal visit, the commonly published temple timings are:

My suggestion: if you are travelling by bus from Vijayawada, try to reach Amaravati in the morning rather than planning your arrival close to the afternoon break.

Temple timings can change during festivals and special occasions, so it is always better to verify the timings before travelling.

How to Reach Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple from Vijayawada

If you are coming from Hyderabad to Amaravati, I would suggest making Vijayawada your first stop. Vijayawada is an important railway and transport hub, so reaching Vijayawada from Hyderabad is relatively convenient. From Vijayawada, you can continue towards Amaravati by bus.

Vijayawada to Amaravati by Bus

This is the route I found convenient:

Vijayawada → Amaravati → Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple

From Vijayawada Bus Station, look for buses going towards Amaravati. APSRTC's own information confirms bus connectivity to Amaravati from the region.

Vijayawada Bus Station – Where to Board the Bus

My experience was to go towards Platform No. 43 at Vijayawada Bus Station for the Amaravati buses.

Once you reach the correct platform, ask the conductor clearly:

"Amaravati Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple ki bus ekkada?"

This is especially useful if you are visiting for the first time.

Vijayawada to Amaravati Bus Fare

During my journey, the bus fare was around ₹70 per person.

However, treat this as a recent travel reference rather than a fixed fare, because APSRTC fares and services can change. Before boarding, I recommend confirming the current fare with the conductor.

If you are travelling on a budget, the bus is a much more practical option than hiring a private cab just for this short journey.

First Bus from Vijayawada to Amaravati

Based on my travel experience, the first bus I considered was around 4:30 AM to 5:00 AM.

If you are specifically planning your Pancharama journey around the earliest possible darshan, check the day's bus availability at Vijayawada Bus Station, because services and timings can change. APSRTC also provides current online ticketing and service information through its official platform.

Walking From the Bus Drop to the Temple

This is one of the things I found convenient. After getting down at Amaravati, the Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple is very close to the bus stopping point. You don't need to plan for a long auto journey after getting down.

In my experience, it was roughly a 5–10 minute walk to reach the temple area. So if you are travelling by public transport, this is a relatively easy temple to visit.

Krishna River Near Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple

Another reason I liked visiting Amaravati is the Krishna River.

The temple is located along the southern bank of the Krishna River, and the river ghats are very close to the temple. The combination of the ancient temple and the river creates a very different atmosphere from simply visiting a temple in a busy city.

If you have enough time, you can spend a few peaceful moments near the river after your temple visit. The Krishna River is also an important part of the spiritual significance associated with Amaravati.

Important: if you plan to enter the river, follow the local safety instructions and conditions at the ghats. River conditions can change.

Annadanam at Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple

One useful thing for pilgrims is that Annadanam / free food is provided for devotees at the temple.

Published sources describe Annadanam as being available during the afternoon, although the exact serving time can vary. I would therefore recommend checking at the temple counter or with the temple staff after you arrive rather than depending on a fixed online time.

My suggestion — if you are planning to have Annadanam: complete your darshan in the morning → ask about Annadanam → have lunch → continue with your Amaravati sightseeing. This can make the visit much more convenient for pilgrims travelling on a budget.

History of Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple

The history of Amaravati is much larger than just the temple. The region is known for both its Hindu and Buddhist heritage, and you can find important Buddhist sites around Amaravati as well.

The Amaralingeswara temple itself has undergone renovations and expansions over different periods.

Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu and Amaravati

One important historical figure associated with the present temple is Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu.

According to accounts about the temple, he played a major role in expanding and renovating the temple and developed a deep association with Amaravati.

Festivals at Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple

The major festivals associated with the temple include:

Maha Shivaratri — Maha Shivaratri is one of the most important occasions at the temple and attracts large numbers of devotees.

Karthika Masam — Karthika Masam is another particularly important period. During Karthika Masam, the temple can experience a significant increase in devotees, with special rituals and arrangements being made for pilgrims.

If you are planning to visit during a major festival, expect considerably larger crowds than on a normal day.

Things to See Around Amaravati

If you have travelled all the way to Amaravati, don't immediately leave after darshan. The area has several important places connected with the history and heritage of Amaravati.

Some nearby attractions include:

• Amaravati Buddhist heritage sites
• Amaravati Stupa
• Amaravati Archaeological Museum
• Dhyana Buddha
• Krishna River ghats

Several of these attractions are located close to the temple, making it possible to combine them into the same trip.

How to Plan Pancharama Temples from Hyderabad

If you are starting your journey from Hyderabad, this is how I would personally structure it:

1. Reach Vijayawada — take a train from Hyderabad to Vijayawada.
2. Start early from Vijayawada — head towards the Amaravati bus services, around Platform 43 based on my experience.
3. Take the bus to Amaravati — the journey is straightforward and budget-friendly.
4. Walk towards Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple — the temple is only a short walk from where the bus drops you, based on my experience.
5. Complete darshan — try to reach during the morning session.
6. Visit the Krishna River — after darshan, spend some time around the Krishna River ghats.
7. Annadanam — ask the temple authorities about the day's Annadanam availability and timings.
8. Explore Amaravati — if you have additional time, visit the nearby Buddhist and heritage attractions.

If you would rather have the travel, stays and temple order arranged for you, the Pancharama temples trip from Hyderabad and the Draksharamam temple journey pages explain how we plan these routes.

Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple Location

Here is the exact map location I use for Sri Amaralingeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Amaravati. Save the location before starting your journey so that you can easily navigate after reaching Amaravati.

View Sri Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple on Google Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple famous for?

It is famous as Amararama, one of the five Pancharama Kshetras dedicated to Lord Shiva, known for its unusually tall Shiva Lingam and its location on the southern bank of the Krishna River at Amaravati.

Is Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple one of the Pancharama temples?

Yes. Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, also known as Amararama, is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras dedicated to Lord Shiva.

What are the other four Pancharama temples?

The five Pancharama temples are Amaralingeswara at Amaravati, Bhimeswara at Draksharamam, Ksheera Ramalingeswara at Palakollu, Someswara at Bhimavaram and Kumararama Bhimeswara at Samalkota.

How far is Amaravati from Vijayawada?

The temple is roughly 40–45 km from Vijayawada, depending on the route. Different sources give slightly different distances because they measure from different points in the two cities.

How can I reach Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple from Vijayawada?

You can take an APSRTC bus from Vijayawada towards Amaravati and then walk from the bus stopping point towards the temple.

What is the Vijayawada to Amaravati bus fare?

I paid approximately ₹70 per person during my journey. However, fares can change, so confirm the current fare with APSRTC or the conductor before travelling.

What time is the first bus from Vijayawada to Amaravati?

Based on my travel experience, buses can start around 4:30–5:00 AM, but you should verify the current day's service before travelling.

What are the Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple timings?

The commonly published timings are 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a break in the afternoon. Timings can change during festivals, so verify before travelling.

Is Annadanam available at Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple?

Yes. Annadanam / free food is reported to be available for devotees, generally during the afternoon. Ask at the temple for the current day's serving arrangements and timings.

Is the Krishna River near Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple?

Yes. The Krishna River flows beside Amaravati and the river ghats are located very close to the temple.

Can I include Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple in a Pancharama trip from Hyderabad?

Yes. Many devotees start the Pancharama circuit at Amaravati, reaching Vijayawada from Hyderabad first and continuing to Amaravati by bus.

My Experience Visiting Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple

For me, Amaravati is not just about checking one more temple off a pilgrimage list.

The combination of Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, the Krishna River, the peaceful surroundings and the history of Amaravati makes the visit feel much more complete.

And if you are planning to cover all five Pancharama temples, Amaravati is a very good temple to start your Pancharama journey with, especially if you are coming from Hyderabad and can first reach Vijayawada by train.

I will be covering the other Pancharama temples separately as I continue documenting my journey. If you are planning a Pancharama pilgrimage from Hyderabad, you can use these individual guides to plan the complete journey temple by temple.