Bhadrachalam

Bhadrachalam is a Census town in Khammam District of Telangana. This census town of Telangana is a hill station and there exist a large number of temples dedicated to Hindu Gods.

Bhadrachalam is an important Hindu pilgrimage town in Telangana, a newly formed state with Hyderabad as its capital. Bhadrachalam is situated on the banks of Godavari River- the River of South. Bhadrachalam is located 312 kilometres East of state capital, Hyderabad.

Paleolithic man probably roamed around the areas of lower Godavari River valley and the surroundings of Bhadrachalam. The town has a documented history of Lord Rama temple constructed in the medieval age of 17th Century. The legend has it that the present town is situated in an area which once formed part of the Dandakaranya forest, and said to be visited by Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana during their exile (Vanavasam). The forest in the vicinity of the temple was the site of Rama`s retreat and it was at the Parnasala (32 km from here) that he built a hut for himself and Sita and from where Sita was abducted by Ravana.

Temples in Bhadrachalam deal with the temples like Govinda Raja Swamy Temple, Parnasala, Yetapaka, Dummugudem, Gundala, Venkatareddipeta and many other sites which are noteworthy among the God lovers.

Bhadra Hills
Bhadrachalam is a pilgrimage centre in Telangana that is known for the temple dedicated to Sita Ramachandra Murthi. The temple is situated on the north bank of Godavari River in Khammam district. The hill is named after Bhadra, son of Meru, who did penance to have darshan of Lord Rama. The Lord appeared in a dream to a woman by name Dhammakka and informed her about the idols which were duly installed in a shrine. Later, Ramadas (Gopanna), an ardent devotee of Sri Rama, built the present shrine. The beauty of the idols of Lord Rama and Sita in Tribangi posture captures one`s attention. Sri Rama is holding Shankha, Chakra, Dhanus and Bhanas. Saints Ramadas and Kabirdas are associated with the shrine. According to popular tales Ramadas was jailed by a Muslim ruler for using revenue money to build the temple. Later Rama and Lakshmana appeared in disguise in the court and paid the full amount in gold coins. The king realized the greatness of Ramadas and freed him. Kabir, a Muslim by birth, came to worship at the shrine. But the priests denied him entry. The images in the sanctum also disappeared at once. Ramadas, who was present at that time, pleaded with the priests and let Kabir in, and the idols appeared again. Ramadas became a devotee of Kabirdas. A visit to this shrine will leave an indelible impression in the minds of the pilgrims. The holy soil is believed to have been trodden by Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana during their stay at Dandakaranya. Parnashala, a place about 35 km away, stands testimony to the epic events.

Parnashala
Parnashala is supposed to be the exact spot where Lord Rama, during his Vanavasa in Dandakaranya Forest. Parnashala was constructed as a hermitage and spent his exile with his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana. Sage Agastya had selected this spot for Rama which is about 35 km from Bhadrachalam.

Govinda Raja Swamy Temple
Govinda Raja Swamy Temple is one of the most ancient temples of Bhadrachalam. This place holds significance as this temple is dedicated to Sri Govinda Raja Swamy. It is located in one of the main centres of the town known as Tatagudi Centre.

Dummugudem
Dummugudem is the place where Lord Rama is called the "Atmarama". The story reveals that Lord Rama killed 14,000 demons headed by the brothers Khara and Dushana. As the village was said to be built upon the ashes of these demons, the place is named after as Dummugudem

Jattayu Paaka
Jattayu Paaka is situated from 2 km away from Bhadrachalam. According to Indian mythology, the bird Jatayuvu, a devotee of Lord Rama had obstructed Ravana while he was proceeding on the chariot after kidnapping Sita. After the fearful battle between Ravana and Jatayu, the injured bird had waited at this place for Lord Rama`s arrival. A wing of this bird fell at Rekkapalli, about 55 km from here, in V.R. Puram Mandal.

Sri Ramanavami (March-April) and Kalyana Mahotsavam, celebrated in a grand manner here, attract thousands of devotees. Pilgrims take a holy dip in Godavari on the occasion of Karthik Poornima (October-November). The nearest railhead is Kothagudem 40 km away. Bhadrachalam is 200 km from Vijayawada.

The history of this shrine stands for the significance of Ramayana Era, and vicinity of the temple had its incompatible combination of another story which portrays the demand of "Sri Mahavishnu" to manifest himself as Lord Rama long after Ramavatara was to fulfil his promise to his Bhakta Bhadra (a mountain king), a sage who had been continuing the scared penance to get grace of Lord Rama.

The temple at Bhadrachalam has the Archa Murthys of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana and is considered to be Swayambhu (self-manifested ones). Lord Sri Rama appeared in a dream to a woman called Pokala Dammakka and informed her about the existence of vigrahas on Bhadragiri hills. To her surprise she found the "Vigraha`s" and put up a modest structure. Dhammakka, cleared jungle and offered puja to the deities.

Here in Bhadrachalam, tourism refers to the pilgrimage tourism. In this region, there exist a large number of temples like Parnasala, Jattayu Paaka, Dummugudem, Gundala, Sree Rama Giri, Venkatareddipeta, Gannavaram and many other places. People from far off place visit this place of historical and mythological importance.