SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM

SRI RAMA NAVAMI

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
History of temple
A sacred place that attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the world, it is the abode of Lord
Rama (The seventh incarnation of SriMahavishnu). This hill place which is encircled by holy
river Godavari flowing towards southern direction is the famous shrine Bhadrachalam-The
name derived from Bhadragiri (Mountain of Bhadra-a boon child of Meru and Menaka).
According to a Ithihasas, the significance of this shrine dates back to the Ramayana Era. This
coherent hill place existed in "Dandakaranya" Of Ramayana period where Rama with his
consort Sita and brother Laxmana had spent their vanavasa- and Parnashaala(the place
connected to the famous Golden Deer and the place from where Sita was abducted by
Ravana.) is also in the vicinity of this temple site. It is at this Mandir site that, long after
Ramavatara, Bhagawan Mahavishnu manifested Himself as Rama again to fulfil a promise He
made to His Bhakta Bhadra, who continued his Tapas through Yugas, praying for the grace of
the Bhagawan Sri Ramachandra murthy.
Exigency of Incarnation
The history depicts that the need emerged the incarnation of Vykuntha Rama was
that to fulfill a long desire of his ardent devotee Bhadra.
Maharshi Bhadra
Bhadra performed penance at the bank of river Godavari in this " Dandakaranya " to get
grace of lord Rama and in countenance of his beloved God - The exulted "Rishi" implored
Rama to be seated on his head ,but Rama who was in search of his consort Sita gave promise
to his Bhakta that his desire would be fulfilled on his way back , after finding Sita and
accomplishing the process of punishing the wicked Ravana and establish 'Dharma' . Thus the
sage had been in continuation of the frightened penance as Rama could not accomplish the
promise in Ramavatara . Then Sri Mahavishnu manifested himself as Vykuntha Rama and
rushed to his devotee Bhadra , signaling hisarrival by blowing 'Shanku',accompanied by his
consort Sita and brother Laxmana , resembling that of 'Gajendra Moksham ' - Thus , the
moorthies of Rama ( having four hands ) - Shanku on the right , Chakra at his left and
Dhanurbhana ( Bow and Arrow in the rest two hands ) , Sita had condescended on the left lap
of Rama and brother ( at Rama's left ) are existed . And the hill place where the Deities were
seated on , was the head place of Bhadra - achalam ( hill ) ,thus this shrine was transformed
into Bhadrachalam
The idols of Vykuntha Rama, Laxmana and Sita were found by Pokala Dhammakka. Pokala
Dhammakka, an ardent devotee of Rama lived in the 17th century and was an inhabitant of
Bhadrireddypalem, a mile away from this holy place. On one fine night, she had darshan of
Rama in her dream who said "the saints and sages are worshiping my embodied moorthy
settled on Bhadragiri" and asked her to trace them, perform pooja and attain salvation. On
the very next day morning she started searching for the idols-peeped into an ant-hill and
found the idols hidden in it. She poured hundreds of pots of Godavari water on the ant-hill
which tardily dissolved and gave way for the appearance of the hidden Deities. Since then,
she used to perform pooja daily and offer 'naivedyam' with fruits fallen from near palmyra
tree and constructed a mandapam of thatch hut with the help of local villagers. Bhagawan
Rama told Dhammakka that at a later date, one of his devotees would construct a Mandir at
this site. Dhammakka waited patiently for the devotee. The devotee turned out to be Bhakta
Ramadas.

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
Bhakta Ramadas and construction of temple
Bhadrachalarama temple was constructed by Kancharla Gopanna popularly known as Bhakta
Ramadas in the year 1674 A.D.

Kancharla Gopanna, popularly known as "Bhakta Ramdas", a fervent devotee of Rama, was
born to Linganna Murthy and Kamamba in Nelakondapalli village of Khammamett Taluk in
17th century (1620 AD). He was nephew of Akkannna, the administrative head in the court
of Nawab Abul Hussan shah known as 'Taneshah' of Golkonda (he was the last ruler of
Golconda before Aurangazeb captured it in 1687A.D.) and was appointed by him as Tahsildar
of 'Palvoncha Paragana'. Thus he was discharging his official duties earnestly and collecting
revenues due to the Nawabs in continuation of daily preaches -Chanting of 'Ramanama' and
the feeding the poor at his house. Ramadasa, who heard the news that the villagers of
palvoncha paragana were proceeding to witness a Jatara at Bhadrachalam , became curios
and he too visited Bhadrachalam. He found the deities in an amazing appearance. Ramadas,
then asked the villagers to contribute liberally for the construction of the temple. After the
contributions were found to be insufficient, the villagers appealed him to spend the revenue
collections for the construction of the temple with a promise to repay the amount after
harvesting the crops. Accordingly, Ramadas constructed the temple with an amount of Rs 6
Lakhs collected from the land revenues with out the permission of the Nizam Nawab.

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
When the temple reached to the nearing completion, he had a problem of fixing 'Sudarshana
Chakra' at the crest of the main temple. He was deeply distressed and fell into sleep. On the
same night, Rama in his dream asked him to have a holy dip in river Godavari where he will
find that-accordingly. On the next day morning Gopanna did so and found holy Sudarshana
Chakra in the river with out much difficulty. He presumed that Sudarshana Chakra itself was
shaped up with the divine power of his beloved God Rama. Soon after the construction, his
miseries started. He was dismissed from service for mis-utilisation of revenue for constructing
the temple and was kept in jail for 12 long years in Golkonda Fort and was tortured. Unable
to withstand the miseries, Ramadas implored Rama to relieve him by singing many praising
and emotional songs which got popularized from the stanzas of 'Dasaradhi Sathakam' and
'Keertanas' of Bhakta Ramadasa.
The Nizam Nawab Tanishah, the then ruler of Nizam's territory became a devotee of Rama
who realised the devotion spirit of Ramadas after his imprisonment and took over the charge
of temple administration. This resembles the communal harmony amongst the Hindus and
Muslims. The Nizam Nawab realised Ramadas'devotional spirit and dedication towards Rama,
when Rama and Laxmana repaid 6 lakh Mohurs exposing themselves as Ramoji and Laxmoji,
the servants of Bhakta Ramadas to get release of their devotee from the imprisonment.
Thanisha gave voucher to these divine looking persons who approached him at his house
during late night. Then they kept the voucher under the pillow of Gopanna where he was
jailed. Tanishah who woke up on the very next day morning realised that those divine looking
persons were none other than Rama and Laxmana and made arrangements to get release of
Gopanna and prayed to forgive him by placing all the Gold Mohurs received last night at the
feet of Gopanna. But, he refused to take back those mohurs except two as a mark of divine
significance. (Those two can still be seen kept in Bhadrachala Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy
vaari Devasthanam).
Influenced by the majesty of Lord Rama, Golkonda Ruler Tanishah earmarked the income
derived from the said Palwoncha paragana which came to Rs 20,000 and odd for the
maintenance of the temple which was continued during Nizam's reign and offering Pearls
(Mutyala Talambralu) on the occasion of kalyana mahotsavam (Sri Rama Navami) to Deities
on an elephant through a specially sent messenger. That procedure of sending pearls to the
Deities is still followed by present state Government and continues to offer during Sri Rama
Navami Festival (Kalyana mahotsavam). Tumu Narsimha Dasa,Tahasildar of Palwoncha
paragana,along with his associate Varada Ramadasa came here from Guntur and took over
the charge of Bhadrachalarama temple after Ramadas made inscripted the performance of
Nitya Poojas and sevas right from early morning "Suprabhata Seva" till night "Pavalimpu
Seva" before closure of the temple as "Silaasaasanaalu" on these two pillars. This inscription
gives details of daily dictum and daily rituals also.
Fairs and festivals
Two major festivals are being celebrated every year which were introduced and traditionally
celebrated right from the tenure of Bhakta Ramadas. "Vykuntha Ekadasi" a religious
festival that attracts lakhs(hundred thousand) of devotees from all over the country at this
famous shrine Bhadrachalam, is celebrated in the months of either December or January in
'Dhanur Masam' on the day of either Pushya or Margasira shuddha Ekadasi. The ten day
festival called Adhyayanotsavams and Dasavatara Mahotsavams(10 incarnations) of Sri Maha
Vishnu are preceded to Vykuntha Ekadasi Fete.

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM

On Dasami day , the colourful Teppotsavam is a special attraction to the devotees . The
deities of Rama and his consort Sita will be taken into rounds on the holi river Godavari on a
well decorated "Hamsavahana" ( on the swan shaped motor launch ) amid display of crackers
and stupendous illumination . And on the auspicious Vykuntha Ekadasi day on the early hours
exactly at 5 am Vykuntha dwarams at Northern Gate will be thrown open for darshan to
devotees .The devotees believe that they will attain salvation after having Vykuntha Dwara
darshan .This holi festival attracts lakhs of pilgrims.
Vaaggeyakaara Mahotsavams
Vaaggeyakara Mahotsavams are being celebrated every year to commemorate Bhakta
Ramadasa, a vaaggeyakara and an ardent devotee of Sri Rama. Dhyana Mandir, a prayer hall
was constructed in 1972 in memory of Bhakta Ramadasa by Mr. Neelamaraju Venkata
Sheshaiah, the then editor of Andhra Prabha by collecting funds from public through donations

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
from Andhra Prabha (Telugu Daily News Paper) readers. Since then, the Vaggeyakaara
mahotsavams are being celebrated during Mukkoti Ekadasi by inviting renowned musicians.

Sri Rama Navami Brahmotsavams

Another major festival, Sri Rama Navami(the most popular one at Bhadrachalam) is being
celebrated on every 'Chaitra shuddha navami ' on the auspicious 'Punarvasu' -'Janma
Nakshatra' (birth star), of Lord Sri Rama. The Kalyanamahotsavam of Sri Rama with his
consort Sita is celebrated on the holy occasion which falls either in the last week of March or
first week of April. This divine festival is celebrated in a resplendent manner amid chanting of
hyms by priests in Kalyanamantapam, richly engraved and exquisite sculptures depicting
events from our Itihasas and Puranas, at the vicinity of stadium, where lakhs of devotees
congregate to witness the fete with great devotional spirit and pay their owes for favours
received or Solicited. The kalyanamahotsavam is celebrated on the holy occasion between 10
am and 12.30 pm and the sacred Talambralu showered on the deities exactly at 12 noon. This
Sri Rama Navami Festival occassion is being broadcasted by All India Radio and telecast
through Doordarshan on the festive day from 10 AM to 12 Noon. This is the only festival which
is being covered by Akashavaani and Doordarshan as a Live programme all over the state
(Andhra Pradesh).

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
Rama Darshan
The day begins at the temple with "Prabhadhotsavam" or awakening ceremony at 4.30 AM
with specially composed songs of Tumu Narasimhadas, poems, Sannai Trupets Naubat etc.
Abhishekam will be performed at 7.00 AM to Lord Rama on Sundays and all the remaining
days abhishekams will be performed at Badruni Sannithi on the same time.
Darshan time table:
Timing information

Seva description

4:30 - 5:30 AM

SUPRABHATAM (FREE DARSHAN)

5:30 - 7:00 AM

Tiruvaaradhana Bala Bhoganivedana, Havanam, Etc. (No Darshan)

7:00 - 8:00 AM

Abhishekam (From Monday to Saturday at Bhadra Temple) Rs.30.00 On

Sundays Rs.50.00 in Mahamandapam per Couple.

7:00 - 8:30 AM

Special Darshan Rs.10.00 per head

8:30 - 9:00 AM

SAKALA ABHISTASIDDHI PRADA SRIRAMA PUJA (Rs.116.00 Per Couple)

8:30 - 9:30 AM

Sahastra Naamarchana Rs.25.00 per couple

8:30 - 11:30 AM

ORDINARY DARSHAN Rs.2.00 per head, Antharalaya Darshan Rs.10.00 per

head

8:30 - 11:30 AM

ASTOTHARAM Rs.40.00 per couple

9:30 - 11:30 AM

NITYA KALYANAM Rs.601.00, MINI KALYANAM Rs.350.00 per couple

11:30 - 12:00 AM

THIRUVARADHANA, PRASADA NIVEDANA

12:00 - 1:00 PM

SARVADARSHAN (Free Darshan)

1:00 - 3:00 PM

Temple Closed

3:00 - 6:00 PM

ORDINARY DARSHAN Rs.2.00 per head, ASTOTHARA POOJA Rs.40.00 per

couple (Moolavarulu)

6:00 - 6:30 PM

EVENING PRAYER

6:30 - 7:00 PM

SAKALA ABHISTASIDDHI PRADA SRIRAMA POOJA (Rs.116.00 per couple)

6:30 - 8:30 PM

SARVADARSHAN (Free Darshan), ASTOTHARA POOJA Rs.40.00 per couple

7:00 - 8:00 PM

PRABHUTVA SEVA

8:30 - 9:00 PM

BOGAM, YEKAANTA SEVA (No Darshan)

9:00 PM

TEMPLE CLOSED

Accommodation
In Bhadrachalam, excellent accommodation facilities are available - Government Guest
Houses, Tourism Hotels, Cottages and Sadanams. Accommodation is also available in private
hotels and lodges.
Sadans and Fares:
Sadanam name

YATRIKA SADANAM

Private Accommodation >>

Type

GROUND FLOOR

Fare

20.00

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
YATRIKA SADANAM

DOUBLE ROOM

VEMULAVADA SADANAM

90.00
45.00

TTD CHOULTRY

SINGLE ROOM

45.00

TTD

DOUBLE ROOM

60.00

KURNOOL SRINIVASA RAO SADANAM

Single, Double

45.00, 60.00

VEERAREDDY SADAN

50.00

YADAGIRI SADAN

Single, Double

NAGIREDDY SADAN

50.00, 75.00
60.00

YADAGIRI SADANAM

DOUBLE

75.00

KAMALA KUTIRAM & VEERANNA COTTAGE

EACH

100.00

GUTTA NILAYAM

125.00

A.E QUARTER

150.00

CHANDRA MOULI SADANAM

DOWN

SUPERINTENDENT QUARTERS

150.00
150.00

Heeral,Koneru,Sri Nilayam,Dhanalaxmi , Agarwal

A/C (EACH)

300.00

BRAHMAJI COTTAGE

A/C

300.00

ALLURI NILAYAM

A/C

300.00

SAGAR

A/C

300.00

SITA NILAYAM

A/C

400.00

SHARADA NILAYAM

A/C

400.00

NANDI NILAYAM

A/C

500.00

GOLD STAR

A/C

500.00

TANISHA Marriage hall

1 HALL

1000.00

TANISHA Marriage hall

For further details Please contact:

Executive Officer,
Sree Seetha Ramachandra swamy vaari
Devastanams,
Bhadrachalam-500 711,Dist. Khammam,
Andhra Pradesh, India
Email: Bhadrachalarama@gmail.com

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
Parnashala
This is supposed to be the exact spot where Rama, during his vanavasa in Dandakaranya,
constructed a hermitage and spent his exile with his concert Sita and brother Laxmana.
Agastya had selected this spot for Rama and is about 35KMs from Bhadrachalam.
The picturesque display of some scenes of vanavasa could be seen at Parnashala. One can see
the foot prints of Sita devi, Mosaic of Maarecha in the guise of golden deer and Ravana in the
guise of Sanyasi for Bhikshatana. Also found in the vicinity are Sita Vaagu-where she had
bathed and collected the turmeric and Kunkum from near by stones and the marks of her
saree on the rock near Sita Vaagu. These are all the visiting places for the piligrims. As
Ravana kidnapped Sita, the deity at Parnashala is called Sokarama. The tracks of the chariot
of Ravana while kidnapping sita can be seen on the mountain on the other side of the river
bank at Parnashala temple.
Jattayu Paaka (Yetapaka)
This Place is situated from 2Kms away from Bhadrachalam. According to Itihasas, the bird
Jatayuvu, a devotee of Rama had obstructed Ravana while he was proceeding on the chariot
after kidnapping Sita. After the fearful battle between Ravana and Jataayuvu, the heavily
injured bird had waited at this place in search of Rama. A wing of this bird fell at Rekkapalli,
about 55 Kms from here, in V.R. Puram Mandal.
Dummugudem
Here Rama is called the Atmarama. The story reveals that Rama killed 14000 demons
headed by Kharadeoshana. As the village was said to be built upon the ashes of these
demons, the place is named after as Dummugudem.
Gundala
It is a place 5 Kms away from the sacred town Bhadrachalam, where springs of hot water
could be traced on the river bank when we dig a pit at any place in this area. It is believed
that the divine trios (Brahma Vishnu Maheswara) had their dips in winter season according to
Brahma Purana.
Sree Rama Giri
This place is situated on the bank in the down stream of river Godavari, about 55 Kms from
here. The deity of Yoga Rama Temple is on a hill and is named as Ramagiri.
Brief History: According to mythological story, an ardant devotee, Sabari, gave shelter to
Sri Sita Rama Laxmanulu while they were on the way in Dhandakaranya during Vanavaasa
period and offered fruits to Rama after tasting them out of affection towards Rama. Bhakta
Sabari who had spent her old age by chanting Rama nama in Dhandakaranya attained
salvation after having Darshan of Rama whom she loved fervently and later dissolved as a
rivulet which merged into the holy river Godavari near Kunavaram.
Bhakta Raamadaas
Popularly known as Bhakta Raamadaas, he was born Gopanna to Linganna Mantri (a surname
he kept as a result of one of his forebears being a minister at the court of a king) & Kadamba
(sister of Madanna, a brahmin minister to TaniShah), in 1620 in Nelakondapalli, a small

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
village in Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh. Since childhood, he imbibed his family's
interest in spirituality and composed several keertanas on Rama. His devotion to Vaikunta
Rama at the temple of Bhadrachalam, a small village in the middle of the jungle on the
northern banks of the holy river Godavari, earned him his name Bhadraacala Raamadaas. His
guru was Raghunatha Bhattacharya.
During the reign of Abdul Hasan Tana Shah, (the nawab of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty at
Golconda), Ramadas (Gopanna), thanks to his uncle Madanna, was appointed as a Tahsildar
for Palvancha Paragana which included Bhadrachalam, a pretty and picturesquely situated
temple town on the Godavari river. Ramadas was always distracted and his intense love for
Lord Rama compelled him to build a temple at Bhadrachalam. He collected money for the
construction from the citizens, but was not enough. So he borrowed from the tax revenue of
the nawab and gave his god a worthy abode, vowing to return the money. However, the
nawab was furious and sentenced Ramadas to 12 years in prison. Raamadaas thus earned
the name Bandikhana Raamadaas(meaning imprisoned Ramadas). Frustrated at god's
indifference to his pleadings, Ramadas composed some of the finest keertanas in his prison
cell (reminding Rama of his services in Ikshvaku Kula Tilaka).
It is said that Rama & Lakshmana in the guise of two youngsters paid up his dues and got his
release papers. The golden coins paid by Rama are known as Ram Tanka coins .They can be
seen even today. These coins have the Pattabhishekam scene on one side and the picture of
another Rama Bhaktha, Hanuman, on the other side. The nawab was moved and recognized
the greatness of Ramadas and released him immediately and gave him land around
Bhadraachalam to continue his dedicated service to Bhadraachala Raamamoorty. Ramadas
spent the rest of his life on these lands and composed further moving poems that were to
inspire Tyaagaraaja: in ksheera saagara sayana in Devagaandhaari, he says "Dhirudau
Ramadasuni Bandhamu dirchinadi Vinnanura Rama?" (O Rama! I have heard how You
obtained the release of the bold Ramadas from his prison life); in brindaavanalOla in tODi, in
kaligiyundE gada in keeravaaNi, in Emi dova balkuma in saaranga and in Prahlaada Bhakti
Vijayam he says "kaliyugamuna vara bhadra calamuna nelakonna raamacandruni pada
bhaktula kella varudanandagi velasina shree raamadaasu vinutintu madin" (I praise Sri
Raamadaas, who shines in this world as the supreme devotee of Sri Raamachandra, who
shines forth from his seat at Bhadraachalam in this kali Yuga).
Other compositions are positive invocations, favored by traveling minstrels, including the
Tondaiman rulers of PudukoTTai in Tamil Nadu, who popularized his songs. Among his other
accomplishments is the creation of the whole Ramayana story in the form of a prose-poem, a
Choornika. Ramadas described himself in this way in the last verse of his Dasarathi Satakam:
"Allana Linga Mantri Suthudu(son), Atreya Gothrudu, Adi Sakha, Kancherla Kulothbhavudu,
Gopakavindrudu." Bhadraachala Raamadaas lived for 68 years.
Travel-RTC timings
Bhadrachalam is reachable from all major cities in Andhra Pradesh, and other states. Via with
(Khammam, Vijayawada, Hyderabad,Hanumakonda, Rajahmundry) regular buses plying in
that route.
Transport information:
Departure from

Tirupathi

Timings

14.45

Distance in KMS

606

Fare in Rupees (INR)

242.00

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
Basara

08.30

472

189.00

Vemulavada

04.15

324

130.00

Srisailam

04.30

472

189.00

Hanumakonda

04.00 onwards every 1 hr.

Last bus-22.30

220

088.00

Hyderabad

03.15, 05.00, 06.30,

08.00, 09.00, 10.45,
09.30, 21.00, 22.30,
{21.00 from NZB}

316

165.00 for Hitech 126.00 for

Express 139.00 for Luxury

Vijayawada

04.00 onwards every 1 hr.

Last bus-22.30

184

075.00

Rajahmundry

06.30, 07.30, 08.30,

14.45, 17.45, 20.00

239, 190 (via

Kukkunoor)

096.00, 067.00 (via

Kukkunoor)

Vishakapatnam (Via
05.30, 18.30
Seleru)

370

148.00

Vijayanagaram

08.30, 05.30

422

169.00

Amalapuram

20.00

309

124.00

Rajolu

07.00

327

131.00

Eluru

07.30, 15.00, 22.00

190

086.00

Reaching Bhadrachalam
From

Distance

Hyderabad

312 km

Visakhapatnam

390 km

Chennai

647 km

Bangalore

848 km

Pune

871 km

Mumbai

1022 km

Vijayawada

201 km

Warangal

211 km

Simhachalam

383 km

Srisailam

456 km

Bhadrachalam is connected by road and rail network. The nearest railway station is
Bhadrachalam Road (station code: BDCR), 40 km from the town. Locally,
Bhadrachalam Road Railway Station is more commonly referred to as Kothagudem
Railway Station. It takes approximately 50 minutes to travel from Kothagudem
Railway Station to Bhadrachalam by bus and the fare is about Rs 20.

SRI RAMA DARSHANAM 6

BHADRACHALAM
Bhadrachalam is: 120 km from district head quarters, Khammam325 km from the
state head quarters, Hyderabad, where the nearest airport is Shamshabad. By road
from

Hyderabad

follow

this

route:

Hyderabad

Suryapet

Khammam

Kothagudem Palvancha(This Is Beautiful Town In Khammam District, Kothagudem

Thermal Power Station-KTPS Located in Palvancha Town.) - Bhadrachalam. Buses ply
from Vijayawada and other major towns in Andhra Pradesh.
If

you

want

to

go

to

Bhadrachalam

have Machilipatnam/Manuguru

from

express(Train

Hyderabad
No:7050) at

by

train,

you

Secunderabad

Station every day at 10:45 PM. You need to take the ticket upto Kothagudem. You
can reach the Kothagudem by 04:45AM. From there you need to travel by Bus to
Bhadrachalam. There are lot of Buses from there. Bus fair is around Rs. 18-20. You
can reach Bhadrachalam in 50 minutes. While return you need to travel in Train
No:0340(Link Secunderabad Express) from Kothagudem. It starts there at 10:15
PM.