Draksharamam
Draksharamam (Draksharama) is a place which is located in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. It is an approximate distance of 30km away from Kakinada, 40km away from Rajahmundry and 6km away from Ramchandrapuram. The temple construction was started in the middle of 800 AD and completed in the 11th century. This place was previously known as 'Dhakshatapovana and Dhakshavatika'. It is one of the most famous pilgrimages in South India. The Bhimeswara Swamy temple which is located in this region is one of the five shrines of Shiva known as pancharama kshetras and the Maanikyamba goddess temple is one of the eighteen Shakti pitas in India. There are many gods in this temple, of which lord Bhimeswara Swamy and Maanikyamba goddess are the main deities.
The myth of this temple regarding the existence of Lord Shiva is an interesting story. In earlier days, a monster named Tarakasura performed a terrible penance on Lord Shiva, and Lord Shiva appeared. The monster asked lord Shiva's spirit to give him a gift. Lord Shiva gave that gift then, he showed his savage nature on gods, saints and makes them suffer more difficulties. They all are unable to bear that pains so, they pray maha Vishnu to give powers to get out of that situation. By using those powers they all tried to kill him, at the time of tarakasura vadha, the Shiva linga which was in the throat of him broke into five pieces and one of the pieces fell here. Thereafter, it became Shiva linga and named as Bhimeswara Swamy. After the death of Sati Devi, her eighteen parts of a body, of which the 12th part i.e., her left cheek fell here. Now it is known as goddess Maanikyamba.
Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is the Kshetrapalaka of this temple. His shrine along with goddess Lakshmi is present at the entrance of the temple. Lord Bhimeswara Swamy is in the form of a tall Shiva lingam, it is nearly 9 ft long. There is also the facility of viewing the Shiva Lingam top view because black stripes are present on the upper part and lingam is full of a crystal structure. There are many specialties for this temple of which one is the specialty of Shiva lingam is daily sunlight falls on the Shiva lingam in the early morning. It is an eye-opener miracle to everyone. There are eight special Shiva lingams which were established by the moon and saptarushis around Bhimeswara Swamy sanctum in eight different directions and there also other shrines inside the temple premises are dancing Ganapthi, veerabhadrudu, kanakadurga, hanuman, etc. and kasi vishweswara Swamy temple which is located at the right side of the Bhimeswara Swamy temple. The place inside the temple is very pleasant, architecture and sculptures were beautifully engraved, there are also beautifully carved gopurams. It has a pushkarini called 'sapta Godavari' where saptarushis bought water from seven different rivers. So, it is very preciously valued by devotees. There are some mandapas available at the temple premises too.
This place is also called as "Dakshina kasi" that signifies the importance of sacredness. It is one of the best- reputed pilgrimages. It is famous for festivals like Maha Shivaratri celebrated in February/March. In the same month, the Bhimeswara Swamy marriage ceremony also celebrated on Bhishma Ekadasi, Navaratri is celebrated in November and kartheeka Monday festivals, Jwalathoranam is also celebrated in December, etc. At that time, Nitya abishekam has done to Bhimeswara Swamy, Lakhs of devotees, pilgrims visit the temple and worship the god to receive blessings. The temple monuments are protected and all the things related to the temple are managed by the executive officer under the control of the endowments departments. Eastern Chalukyas and the archaeological department renovated the temple to create beauty and pleasant atmosphere.
This place can reach easily by bus or train or flight, Buses or trains available from Kakinada or Rajahmundry to Draksharamam. The accommodation also available here and the cost of them varies as per the room facilities and size. There are many pujas held here and the cost varies according to puja and duration. The temple architecture is in the form of a fort and has delighted a many pilgrims from all over the world. So, it remains as one of the sacred places in the book of history.