Pay Homage to Lord Rama at the Bhadrachalam Temple

Bhadrachalam temple, popularly known as Lord Sree Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. Situated in the temple town of Bhadrachalam in Khammam district of Telangana, this temple is one of the most important Hindu temples of the region. The area of Bhadrachalam is circumscribed by the Holy river Godavari which enhances the overall charm of this place. Located at a distance of 300 kilometers from the state capital, Hyderabad, Bhadrachalam temple is visited by thousands of devotees every day.

The main attractions of the temple are the grand celebrations that are organised here. The annual Brahmotsavam festival and the Sri Sitarama Thirukalyana Mahotsavam, celebrated on the eve of Rama Navami are the major festivals celebrated in the Bhadrachalam temple. Other important festivals celebrated here include Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Vijayadashami and Vasanthotsavam.

Legend of the Temple

There are several legends associated with the Bhadrachalam temple, one of them suggests that the significance of this temple dates back to the Ramayana Era. It is believed that Lord Rama with his consort Sita and brother Lakshama spent some time at Parnasala, a village near Bhadrachalam temple during their 14 years of exile. This is also the same place where Sita was abducted by Ravana. A Rishi named Bhadra who used to live there was a great devotee of Lord Rama. Overwhelmed with his devotion, Lord Rama promised him moksha but never managed to make good on his promise during the Ramavataram. But Bhadra continued his penance on the banks of the Godavari River which pleased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before Bhadra in the form of Rama. Lord Vishnu came with the intention of giving him moksha. He appeared with his four celestial arms. He was holding Shankha and Sudarshan chakra in upper arms and a bow and an arrow in the lower hands. While Sita was sitting on his left thigh, his brother Lakshmana was standing to his left. Rama granted him salvation and turned him into a hillock which is now referred to as Bhadradri. This form of Rama came to be known as Vaikuntha Rama and Rama Narayana (the union of Rama and Vishnu).

The Bhadrachalam temple has the idols of the Vaikuntha Rama with a bow and a conch, depicting both Lord Vishnu and Lord Rama at the same time. The idol of Sita sitting on the lap of Lord Rama is a rare sight.

Another myth related to the Bhadrachalam temple is about Pokala Dhammaka, a tribal woman who was a passionate devotee of Lord Rama. According to folklore, one night Lord Rama appeared in her dream and told her about the idols that existed on the Bhadragiri hills. The next day, she went there and found the idols inside an anthill. She poured countless number of pots of Godavari water over the anthill to uncover the idols. She started worshipping the deities there and one day Lord Rama told her that a temple will be constructed at this very site by one of his devotees. That devotee was Bhakta Ramadas who constructed the Bhadrachalam temple in the year 1674 A.D.

Architecture of the Bhadrachalam Temple

The magnificent architecture of the Bhadrachalam temple will leave you enchanted. The temple has four entrances and the temple complex is divided into three parts. The first part is a temple dedicated to the head of Bhadra. Inside this temple, there is a rock structure of Bhadra’s head. This structure has a footprint on it which is believed to be that of Lord Rama’s. The second part is a shrine where the presiding deity of the temple resides and the third is the main tower or rajagopuram located at Bhadra’s feet.

On the top of the shrine or the sanctum, a Sudarshana Chakra is engraved. Gopanna found this eight-faced chakra with thousand corners in the Godavari river. The idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are seated to the right of the sanctum. These idols are worshipped every day. A gold plated flag post or dwajasthambam can be seen right opposite the sanctum. Made up of panchaloha, the flag contains images of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu.

Must-Visit Places Near Bhadrachalam Temple

There are numerous popular tourist attractions located close to Bhadrachalam temple which are a must-visit during your trip.

1. Papi Kondalu

This hill range located in Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh is a sight to behold. This mountain range got its name from the Telugu word which translates to “partition”. This is because the hill looks like the partition that women make in the hair from an aerial view. Papikondalu is adorned with a wide variety of natural vegetation and wildlife. Papi kondalu wild life sanctuary is home to numerous animals including spotted deer, tigers, jackals, panthers, antelopes and various species of birds. A steamboat ride through the Godavari river amidst lush greenery and towering hills will delight you to the core.

2. Abhaya Anjaneya Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is renowned for its artefacts and sculptures. The sculptures and carvings of the deities are extremely stunning and add to the beauty and divinity of the temple. The sculptures of gods and goddess are carved along the border of the temple. Abhaya anjaneya temple witnesses a crowd of devotees from around the country especially during Tuesdays which is considered as the day of Lord Hanuman. The positive aura and the beautiful surroundings makes it a must-visit place while in the town.

3. Parnasala

A popular village situated at a distance of about 32 kilometers from Bhadrachalam is an important place of tourist attraction. This village has religious significance as it is believed that Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshama had stayed in this village during their exile. A small hut known as shoka Rama with beautiful sculptures of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana is a major attraction of this place.

4. Sabari

Sabari is a river that joins the river Godavari before becoming one with the sea. There is a very interesting story behind the formation of this river. It is believed that sabari or Dhammakka, a tribal woman was a great devotee of Lord Rama, was immortalised as this river. Owing to her extreme devotion towards Lord Rama, she was granted salvation by him. Hence she took the form of a river. Each year during the month of October, a festival called Sabari Smruti Yatra is organised to celebrate Sabari’s devotion towards Lord Rama. Adivasis from different tribal communities participate in this religious procession. There are numerous ceremonies organised during the yatra.

How to Reach Bhadrachalam Temple

Bhadrachalam temple is frequented by people from across the country throughout the year. The town of bhadrachalam enjoys great connectivity via railways and roadways. You can also visit this town through airways.

By Railways : Bhadrachalam railway station, located at a distance of 40 kilometers from the main town is the closest rail head to reach Bhadrachalam temple. You can hire a taxi or a cab from outside the station to reach the temple. Other railway junctions close to Bhadrachalam are at Rajahmundry and Vijayawada.

By Road: Numerous private and government-owned buses operates between major cities and towns in South India. There are frequent bus services to Bhadrachalam from all the major cities and towns. Khammam at a distance of 120 kilometers and Hyderabad around 325 kilometers away are connected to Bhadrachalam via roadways.

By Air: If you plan to visit Bhadrachalam by air, the nearest airport is the Rajahmundry domestic airport at a distance of 185 kilometers from the temple. Another convenient airport is the Vijayawada International Airport around 182 kilometers away. The tourist also approach the town from the Hyderabad International Airport at a distance of 325 kilometers which is well connected to national and international destinations.

Best Time to Visit Bhadrachalam Temple

The weather of Bhadrachalam is tropical with hot summers and pleasant winters. The best time to visit Bhadrachalam keeping in mind the weather conditions is between September to April. The charming weather during this period is ideal for sightseeing around the city. Although the Bhadrachalam temple is visited by thousands of devotees all around the year, this number increases to two folds during the major festivals celebrated in the temple. Devotees visit the Bhadrachalam temple during summers to become a part of the Ramnavami celebrations which is organised here with grandeur.

It is always the best to plan a trip to Bhadrachalam temple during one of the many festivals that are celebrated here. Some of the major festivals organised here are Vaikuntha Ekadashi, twelve-day long annual Brahmotsavam, ten-day celebrations of Dussehra, Vasanthotsavam (festival of spring) , hanuman jayanti and others.

Bhadrachalam temple is an important pilgrimage site not only in Telangana but throughout India and around the world. The temple is an epitome of spirituality and divinity. The rare idols of Lord Rama in the form of Vaikuntha Rama or Rama Narayana attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. Tourists come here to pay respects to the God and experience the serene surroundings. So, if you are planning to go for a spiritual vacation, Bhadrachalam temple is a site that you must visit.