Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam: Sacred 5 Shiva Lingas

Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam is considered as one of the holy pilgrimage places to all shaivites and one among pancharama kshetras (5 famous temples belong to Lord Shiva) scattered around Andhra Pradesh, India.

This temple is said to have been built by the Eastern Chalukyas during the 12th century. It forms one of the big complexes consisting of a number of shrines and the important shrine here is that of Lord Shiva. The chiseling and architecture of this temple are finely executed.

The main shrine inside the central complex of the temple is located there. This rectangular in form, Shiva Lingam accommodates a Lingam of 14 feet height. This Lingam originates from the same limestone. It is said that the lingams were erected by Lord Vishnu.

Other shrines have been assigned to Goddess Parvati, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma. Many sacrosanct wells and kunds are spread there.

Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam is one of India’s prominent pilgrim center for the Hindus. A huge inflow of devotees throng the temple for the once in a year Maha Shivaratri festival scheduled in February-March months.

It is also very famous as a tourist destination. This is a very beautiful temple and well-maintained so that the visitor gets the idea of India’s richness in history and culture.

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Myth:

Among five Kshetras of Shiva. The other Kshetrans are Amararamam at Amaravathi – Guntur District and Somaram at West Godavari District, Sree Ksheerarame at West Godavari District, Sree Kumararamam at west Godavari Districts

History of Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam :

This is a 9th or 10th century of Eastern Chalukya king Bhima’s BHimeswara Swamy Temple. This was next that the other dynasty’s kings supported this. This include Cholas and Kakatiyas.

This temple is one of the elegant Chalukyan’s structure. This is, of course, a double-storeyed building; open court-yard and gopurams four, so the Major shrine bears the Swayambhu Shiva Lingam that has been named as Bhimeswara Swamy.

There are also Goddess Manikyamba who is the wife of Lord Bhimeswara Swamy. Other names through which she is popular are Dakshayani since it is said she is the incarnation of Sati, the daughter of King Daksha.

Bhimeswara Swamy Temple is one of the prime centers of pilgrimage sites for Hindus. These happen to be holy months when the worship of Lord Shiva during Shravana and Karthika Masam occur auspiciously.

Origination of Name of Temple: Draksharamam

The term Draksharamam has been derived from terms of Sanskrit. In this term, “drakshara” denotes left cheek and “amam” denotes place. According to a narration, the body of Sati got sliced by the disc of Vishnu. Its cheek fell on the present place so it came to be known as Draksharamam.

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Legend of Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam :

The Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple at Draksharamam revolves around the story of a very strong demon called Tarakasura. When he was an infant, Lord Brahma granted the boon because it was a belief that only child born from Lord Shiva and Parvati was necessary for killing him. Since this was a proud creature and with the new boon that he had meted out torture to gods and even towards the world of humans.

They both, hoping to remove the demon from earth, gave birth to a boy named Kartikeya. Kartikeya, when he was six days old, they sent for that boy for the killing of the demon. There too, he fought very efficiently and killed that one as well. Tarakasura then, while falling down before his death, gulped down that Shiva Linga lying within the throat.

One part of the Shiva Linga fell at one temple at Draksharamam, where that was Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple came there. Five different portions of the Shiva Linga broke and came in various parts of earth; that is why five lingas were formed out there.

The first legend is that of Sati, who was the first wife of Lord Shiva. She had to self-immolate as Daksh, her brother, insulted her. Grief-stricken, Lord Shiva took Sati’s dead body around the world. Lord Vishnu, one among trimurthy devatas tried to calm down lord shiva by lowering his grief, Lord shiva was not in a position to listen to others words then lord vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra and disintegrated Sati’s body into many pieces which fell at a different place on earth. These places are known as Shakti Peethas.

They also believed that the left cheek had fallen in Draksharamam. And part of Sati’s body, according to that legendary belief, had actually dropped at the Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam.

Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharamam is one among South India’s most notable temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Millions of worshipers visit this holy spot annually. Beautiful temples that sport its wall with exquisitely sculptured and carved paintings glorify the chalukyan architectural style of the temple.

Other things the temple is associated with are the holy water tank called Sapta Godavari Kundam, one believes that the juice is of waters from the seven sacred rivers of India that include the Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Godavari, Narmada, Krishna, and Cauvery, and the believers think that a bath in this place will help one get rid of all their sins and good luck will smile on them.

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Architecture of Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam :

Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple is considered one of the architectural excels in South India; it is said to have been between 9th to 10th CE. The temple was erected during the reign of Bhima, the Eastern Chalukyan king. In terms of architecture, this temple is excellent with the fort-like walls and gopurams in the four cardinal directions.

Covering an area of over 12 acres, the temple complex comprises a few shrines in the name of several deities, along with Lord Bhimeswara Swamy as the prime deity along with Goddess Manikyamba, Lord Hanuman, among others. There also exists here a sacred pond called Sapta Godavari Kundam, and devotees take a holy dip in the waters flowing from it.

Design is quite a reflection of Chalukyan and Chola influences. Material used here for this temple is sandstone with excellent carvings and sculptures. Pillars are done with carvings inside the temple, showing varied types of designs in the form of floral, geometric, and human figures.

The temple has two floors in its main sanctum. The ground floor has a Shiva lingam, which is more than 2 meters tall. The shrine of Goddess Manikyamba is accommodated on the first floor. A pillared mandapa surrounds the sanctum.

The Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam is the most known pilgrimage center in the whole of India among Hindus. It is a tourist destination also, since it stands as one of the greatest monuments of South Indian architecture.

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Places to visit near Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam :

Rajahmundry: It is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh state and is hardly few km away from Draksharamam. It promises a lot to see around the city, walking over Godavari Bridge, enjoying the cruise along Godavari River with a lot more in store of cultural delights.

Kovvur: Kovvur is a mansion that is just near Rajahmundry; it is a superb place with the Godavari River. The tourist may visit Kovvur for seeing the riverside and for boating having picnics also.

Dindi: This is one of the quiet, photogenic villages located in the backwaters of Godavari River. It would be an ideal spot for nature lovers since it has a rich scene for backwaters and greenish surroundings without noise or disturbance. Besides this, the Konaseema region can also be reached from here.

Annavaram: Annavaram temple is dedicated to Lord Satyanarayana who is considered as lord Vishnu form. Devotees believe that who ever performs pooja here will get relief from all kinds of obstacles and lead peaceful life. As the temple happens to be atop a hillock, the place itself provides marvelous views.

Kakinada has always been an abode of rich culture with its seaside and beautiful beaches. More people visit this place to unwind on the perfect waters at Uppada Beach, great for playing water games. One must not forget local food served in the city and at the local markets around it.

Papi Kondalu: Papi Kondalu is also known as Papi Hills. It is a glittering scenic view on the Godavari River. This is one of the places that is best known for lush green hills and deep gorges. You can enjoy a boat ride through the Papi Kondalu region to make your trip memorable.

Konaseema: This is the tract of fertile land, located in Godavari Delta. It is especially famous for natural sceneries of coconut plantations and attractive village life. This is going to be a superb place for driving leisurely to see the countryside of Andhra Pradesh as a place.

Maredumilli: It is the forest district in Andhra Pradesh and in the zone of the Eastern Ghats. The spot specially is an excellent tourist spot for lovers of nature, and one also gets to have very considerable opportunities to trek and waterfalls as well as other flora and fauna.

The Island of Draksharama is on the Godavari River, and it is always an area for all varieties of birds. The environmental setting for bird watching is nice since there is space for relaxation without so much stress.

How to reach Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam :

By Air: The nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport

Distance: Approx. 60 kilometers away from Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple Draksharamam.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Kakinada Town Railway Station

Distance: Approx. 30 kms. away.

Note: We can reach the temple either using Google Maps when traveling with our vehicle or taking government-owned Buses (APSRTC) or private bus packages.