About the Temple

Sri Manikyamba Devi Sametha Bhimeswara Swamy Temple in Draksharamam is an ancient worship place with great historical significance in South India.

It is regarded as one of the five Pancharamas and one of the 18 Shakthi Peethas.

Lord Shiva and Shakti Devi take their abode in this temple, Lord Bheemeswara Swamy and Manikyamba are the prime deities.

This place is famous as Dakshina Kashi, located in Draksharamam town of Konaseema, on the Kakinada road in East Godavari Dist, AP.

The temple’s main deity Bhimeswara Swamy stands 14 feet tall, carved from one large crystal known as Spatikara Lingam.

The upper part of the murti is white colored which signifies “Ardhanariswaran Tatwam”.

Draksharamam stands for “Abode of Daksha Prajapathi”, meaning father of Sati and the father-in-law of Lord Shiva.

Temple Timings

Mythological History

An interesting story awaits here relayed to this place, during Tarakasura vadha, the Shiva Linga which was in the throat of Tharakasura broke into five pieces.

One of the pieces fell right here in this place since then it came into existence as Draksharamam.

This temple is also regarded as Shakthi Khestra because when Sati died the 12th part of her body (left cheeks) fell here hence it is known by the name of Goddess “Manikyamba”.

legend says Daksharama is regarded as the place where Daksha Yagna happened.

Lord Shiva blessed the entire place after the violence and further turbulence was carried out there by Lord Veerabhadra

A Brief into Ancient History

The temple work began in 800 A.D and was completed in the 11th century by eastern Chalukyan king Bhima.

The central mandap was built by Ganga Mahadevi, daughter-in-law of Eastern Ganga Dynasty king Narasimha Deva I of Odisha.

The temple was subjected to several refurbishing and thus patronization of the temple was carried out by royal dynasties that took over the place.

It is a popular belief that when King Daksha, father of Lord Shiva’s consort, conducted a yagna in which he intentionally insulted Lord Shiva by not sending him an invitation to the yagna.

Sati was furious and enraged with her father so much that she destroyed herself in the sacrificial fire of the yagna.

On noticing this Lord Shiva became uncontrollable in anger and was provoked to do Tandava dance with Sati’s body on his shoulders.

Everyone who witnessed this went to Lord Vishnu to intervene. Vishnu then took a step to slice Sati’s body with his Sudarshana chakra and pieces of Sati’s body fell to Earth.

Draksharamam Bhimeswara Swamy temple was built on the same spot where Sati’s left cheek is believed to have fallen.

Temple Architecture

The Temple is built in ancient South Indian architecture that is quite a blend of the Chalukyan and Cholas styles.

It consists of 2 mandaps along with two walls, the construction looks like a fort, it has 2 pathways.

One outer Prakaram opens to 4 entrances in 4 ways with gopuram elegantly crafted with carvings of goddess Gogulamma, Nookambika, Moodhambika, and Ghattambhika.

Lord Bheemeswara Swamy, the temple’s main deity, takes the form of a 9 ft tall Shiva Lingam.

One needs to climb a few steps to lead to one of the upper portions of the sanctum to get the darshan of the upper part of the almighty.

The forte of this Shiva Lingam is that glimpses of the rising morning sun fall on the lingam, which is of crystal texture with black stripes on the upper part.

Huge markings of the tiger skin dressed by Lord Shiva can be seen.

Goddess Manikyamba Devi’s murti can be seen in the back of the temple’s left corner, looking left.

This unique posture of the Devi signifies her as Vamachara Devatha.

Pushkarani Significance: The temple has a “Pushkarani” called “sapta godavari”, here sapta rishi brought water from seven different rivers to manifest it.

Deities in the temple: Goddess Manikyamba, the wife of Lord Bhimeshwara Swamy the main deity of the temple

Also are other deities namely Lord Lakshmi Narayana, Lord Sankaranarayana, Shri Gajanana, 9 idols of Navagrahas, Goddess Annapura, Vaamana, Viroopa, Nataraja, Veerabhadra, Praakara Bhairavudu, and Dancing Ganapati. 

Also, Kashi Vishweshwara Swamy temple is located on the right side of this temple facing south.

Festivals Celebrated

Mahashiva Rathri and Dasara are the two main festivals associated with the temple, also festivals like 

• Sarrannavarathri from Asviyuja Suddha Padyami to Dwadashi ( in the month of October)
• Kartheeka Masam (every Monday) and Jwalathoranam in the month of November
• On Margasira Suddha Chaturdhasi Sri Swamyvari Chaturti is celebrated (December)
• Shasti and Ekadashi in Magha Masam(in February)

Daily Pooja Timings

Other Pooja and Seva services (with Pricing)

How to reach Draksharamam Temple?

The temple is located at 

• 28 km distance from Kakinada
• 50 km from Rajahmundry 
• 25 km from Amalapuram

The temple is an ancient holy pagoda, one of the most reputed pilgrimages in AP, South India, where lakhs of devotees visit to worship and take blessings of Lord Shiva and his consort

Dress Code & Temple Rules

To be followed on temple premises

• Men are expected to be dressed in Shirt & Trousers, Pyjamas or Dhoti, and a Formal/casual Shirt.

• Women are preferred to be in saree or traditional lehenga choli with a blouse or salwar with a pajama and top

How to Reach Draksharamam Bheemeswara Swamy Temple?

The temple is located at a 6 km distance from Ramachandrapuram in the East Godavari District side of AP.

It is centrally located with Rajahmundry Airport, and railway facilities from Kakinada, Samalkot, and Annavaram.

Additionally, tourists can also hire taxi or cab from nearest city and reach their destination

• By Air: Draksharamam temple is at a distance of 458 km from Hyderabad (visitors can reach Hyderabad and cover this distance to the temple by road)

Alternatively: A connecting flight from Hyderabad to Rajahmundry( 48 km from Draksharamam temple) can be taken, and devotees can reach the temple by local cabs and taxis

• By Rail: Draksharamam temple is the nearest railway station of Kakinada, Rajahmundry, and Samalkot, hence train facility is always a go-to option for devotees from other cities or states

• By Road: Draksharamam temple is located 6 km from Ramachandra Puram, hence only a road journey is suitable to reach the temple by this route.

From here you should consider buses to Kotipalli or Yanam to reach the Draksharamam temple en route 

How to do Pooja and other seva bookings?

The ticket counter of the temple is open from 6 am to 8 am & 5 am to 10 am ( during Karthika Masam and Maha Shivarathri)

Devotees are requested to avail of pooja, abishekam, and all the seva samagri directly at the ticket counter itself on arrival.

Note: online booking of pooja and seva is not available

Accommodation

Lodging and Boarding facilities in and around the temple

1. RR Grand Lodge
2. SS Grand
3. Udupi Radha Krishna Residency
4. Surya Inn
5. Venky Residency
6. Ganesha Residency

FAQs

• How tall is Draksharamam Lingam?

Here Lord Shiva is known as “ Bheemeswara”, in the form of Lingam which is 60 ft tall, and all the pooja is performed on the top floor.

• Which is the city nearest to Draksharamam?

Ramachandrapuram is the nearest city to Draksharamam

• How far is Draksharamam from Tirupati?

Tirupati to Draksharamam temple approximate distance is 555 Km by road.