Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple

by Astro Ved Online Astrology Consultation

Bhadrachalam is a town in Telangana, a holy site where the Sita Ramachandraswamy temple is built. This heavenly abode of Rama situates in a hilly place in Dandakaranya. Here river Godavari flows toward the South and surrounds the place. The name of the town Bhadrachalam is derived from Bhadragiri, a mountain.

The Legendary Tale

People believe that Lord Vishnu manifested himself again as Rama and established himself at this place as a promise to his devotee Bhadra. Bhadra was a devotee of Lord Rama, and he performed a great penance. Lord Rama appeared in front of Bhadra when the devotee desired that Lord Rama be seated on his head.

Rama gave him the blessings and promised Bhadra that his wish would be fulfilled once he returned with Sita when Ravana kidnapped Sita. However, Rama could not fulfill his promise, and hence Lord Vishnu again took the avatar of Rama to become seated on the head of Bhadra.

The hill where the deity Lord Rama is situated is considered the head of Bhadra. There are idols of Laxman and Sita as well. Hence the name was derived from the penance of Bhadra and is now known as Bhadrachalam.

Temple History

The temple-built history takes us to the ardent devotee Pakala Dhammakka at the time of the 17th century. She used to live in the village Bhadrireddypalem, in close distance of Bhadrachalam. One night Lord Rama appeared in his dream and advised him to worship his idol at Bhadrachalam.

She then performed puja daily and built a small hut for the idol. Later, Lord Rama told the lady that one day his devotee would build the Powerspot. This devotee was none other than Ramadas.

Ramadas (1620-1688) was a Tahsildar of Palvoncha Paragana. He had a nephew, Akkanna, at the post of the administrator in the court of Nawab Abdul Hussan Shah.

Ramadas wanted to build the temple, and so he asked all the village people to donate with an open heart. However, the donation was not enough to create, and he took 6 Lakh Mohurs or gold coins from the land revenue collections.

Since he could not pay back, Ramadas was taken to jail for 12 years. From there, he used to write songs about Lord Rama that later became a part of Dasaradhi Sathakam and Bhakta Ramdas Keertanas.

Rama and Lakshman appeared in front of Nizam Nawab Tanishah, however in another form. They paid the due 6 lakh coins and acquired the freedom of Ramadas.

Parnashala

Parnashala is believed to be the place where Lord Rama, with his consort Sita and brother Laxman, used to live during their Vanvaas. Sage Agastya advised them to live here; the place is about 35 KMs from Bhadrachalam.

There are traces of them living in the place. There are footprints of Sita and a stream known as Sita Vaagu. People believe it as the stream where Mata Sita used to take a bath. There are also the tracks of the chariot of Ravana where he kidnapped Sita; these traces can be seen on the other side of the river.

This is also where Rama killed Mareecha, who came in the disguise of a golden deer. This was the deer that Sita wanted to have and sent Lord Rama and Laxman searching for the deer.

Some historians refer to Panchavati in Nashik; however, some believe it to be the one in Bhadrachalam. No evidence proves exactly which place was Panchavati. Also, in Ramayana, written by Valmiki, he has described places as per the planetary position and flora and fauna of that time.

Temple Festivals

The temple celebrates all major festivals that denote the legends of Sri Rama. Hence Rama Navami and Vaikunta Ekadashi are two major festivals celebrated here. On Rama Navami, the temple organizes a Kalyanotsavam, a program dedicated to Rama and Sita.

Here the ten days festival takes place known as Adhyayanotsavams and Dasavatara Mahotsavams, which depicts ten avatars of Lord Vishnu.

How to Reach?

One can reach Bhadrachalam by train, 39 KMs from the place. Another station is Khammam railway station, 115 km from the site. People can also fly as the nearest airports are Rajamundry (190 KMs), Vijayawada (220 KMs), and Hyderabad (270 KMs).