Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/DwnvWp4p6o8
Location: "Draksharama Sri Manikyambadevi Sametha Sri Bheemeswara swami temple, 3-152 ANDHRA BANK STREET, Chandra St, Draksharamam, Andhra Pradesh 533262"
References: https://eastgodavari.ap.gov.in/temples/lord-bhimeswara-swami-temple-draksharama/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daksharamam
Located at
a distance of around 20 KMs from Kakinada, 25 KMs from Amalapuram and 50 KMs
from Rajahmhundry, the temple at Draksharama Manikyambad also known as
Bheemeshwara temple is amongst one of the major pilgrimage center in Southern
India on the east bank of the river Godavari. The name is a derivative of
"Daksha aaraama" or
the abode of
Daksha Prajapati (the father-in-law of Lord Shiva and beloved father of Sati). The temple is considered to be Dakshina Kasi
and is one of the trilingas in the state.
This place
was also referred to as Daksha vaatika by Jagadguru Shankaracharya/ Adi
Shankara in maha shakti peetha sloka at "Maanikye Daksha vaatika"
which points to "Maanikyamba devi of Draksharama". The place where
Daksha performed "Nireeswara yagna" is still visited by pilgrims
here.
The town was
formerly known as Dhakshatapovana and Dhakshavatika
Draksharamam or Daksharamam
(దక్షారామం) is
one of the five Pancharama Kshetras (five ancient Hindu temples dedicated to the
deity Shiva in Andhra Pradesh) that are sacred to the Hindu
god Shiva and also 12th of
Ashtadasha Shakthi Peetams. The temple is located in Draksharamam town
of Konaseema district in Andhra Pradesh.
Bheemeswara
Swami temple is a big temple which was renovated by eastern chalukyas. Temple
has a pushkarini called "Sapta godavari". One can visit kashi
viswesara temple constructed by vyasa and agasthyeswara swami who was worshiped
by sage Agasthya. There are few mantapas available in the temple compound too.
You can find four gopurams around the temple and few temples like kala
bhairava, veera bhadra and vatuka bhairava temples inside the temple premises.
Legend:
Skanda
Purana has extensive details about the history of the sacred Pilgrimage. In
pursuance with performing a Yajna (called "Nireeswara yaga" or
"Nireeswara yagna"), Daksha Prajapati had been to Kailasa to invite
Gods and Goddesses to sanctify his ‘Yajna and accept his hospitality. But when
he had been there, Lord Siva was in his Court immersed in his spiritual
splendour. But Daksha Prajapathi out of his ego of being the father-in-law of
Lord Siva, mistook the Lord’s trance as indifference towards him. So, being put
out at the difference of his Son-in-law he came back without inviting the Lord
and the Lady to his sacrifice.
Sati in her
womanish nature requested Siva to permit her to attend, the sacrifice at her
parental home, even uninvited and have the pleasure of the performance and the
association of her kith and kin. But Siva explained her the tragic implications
that she might have to face at her parental house and let her to at her own
wish. But, when she actually stepped into her parental home, none greeted her
or even just asked her a mutual exchange of her well-being. Then Sathi was put
out with the humiliation she had to face amidst her own blood and then and
there, decided to give up her body instead of facing her beloved husband with a
fallen face. So, she gave up her body then and there and fell down dead. Siva
having come to know of the tragic end, sent his son ‘Veerabhadra’ to boot down
the ego of Daksha. Siva in his pangs of separation with Sati came down to her
dead body and shoultered the corpse over his shoulders and danced in ‘Pralaya
Thandava’.At this juncture, the Lord Vishnu, the presenting, force of Universe,
sent his ‘Chakra’ to cut down the body of Sathi and redeem the grief of Lord
Siva. The Chakra came and cut the body of Sati into eighteen pieces feel in
eighteen parts of this ‘Punyabhoomi’ of ours and came to be known as ‘Ashta
Dasa Peethas’ and out of these eighteen Sri Manikyamba of Draksharama is the
Twelfth.
This Holy
Pilgrimage is one of the rare few, where the God and Goddess are equally
important. One is Varanasi in Northern India with Viswanatha and Annapurna.
Second is Srisailam in Southern India with Sri Mallikharjuna and Bramaramba and
third is Draksharama with Bhimanatha and Manikyamba.
It is
believed that the water in the Pushkarini was brought by sapta rishis from
seven different rivers to create it. One can find saptarishis in a small mantapa
located in sapta godavari pushkarini.
Culture
and History
Inscriptions
in the temple reveal that it was built between the 9th and 10th centuries CE by
the Eastern Chalukyan king, Bhima. The big Mandapam of the temple was built by
Ganga Mahadevi ,daughter-In-Law of Eastern Ganga Dynasty king Narasingha Deva I of Odisha.[4] Architecturally and sculpturally, the
temple reflects a blend of Chalukyan and Chola styles.[5]
The
temple is historically prominent. It was built by Eastern Chalukyas who reigned
over this area. It's believed to have been constructed earlier to the
Bhimeswaraswamy temple in SamarlaKota that was built between 892 C.E. and 922
C.E.
Rituals
and Festivals
o
Mahashivaratri and Dasara (Dusshera)
- Sarrannavarathri Festival from
Asviyuja Suddha Padyami to Dwadasi every year (October).
- Kartheeka Monday Festivals and
Jwalathoranam in Karteeka masam every year (November).
- Sri Swamyvari Birthday on
Margasira Suddha Chaturdhasi every year (December).
- Shasti Festival in the Month of
December every year.
- Sri Swamyvari Kalyanam on Bhisma
Ekadasi Day in Magha Masam Every year (February).
- BMahasivarathri Festival in Maghamasam
every year (February-March).
Architectural Style
The architectural style represents a
Dravidian Chalukyan style of structure with 4 gopurams on 4 side and the main
temple enclosed in a big compound.
Photography:
Limited to outside. ASI people are there
for providing permissions for photography, can be easily taken for a meagre
amount.
Drone usage: Try it from outside and from a
sufficient distance.
Parking is not an issue at all and
dedicated parking is available outside the temple premises.
How
To Reach:
Best way to reach is by own vehicle or two-wheeler
By Train: Draksharamam Railway station
By Road: Hire some vehicle or Auto from
Kakinada or Yanam
Nearest Major city: Yanam-Puducherry(20
KMs), Kakinada (38 KMs)
Temple
Timings:
|
Tuesday |
5:30–11:30 am,
3–8 pm |
|
Wednesday |
5:30–11:30 am,
3–8 pm |
|
Thursday |
5:30–11:30 am,
3–8 pm |
|
Friday |
5:30–11:30 am,
3–8 pm |
|
Saturday |
5:30–11:30 am,
3–8 pm |
|
Sunday |
5:30–11:30 am,
3–8 pm |
|
|
|
Route and Location:
We were
staying at Kakinada for covering various other places and from there we moved
to Yanam covering Draksharamam temple. Here is the route followed:
