Draksharama

Drakshrama is located in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh state in India. This place is very famous as one of the pancharama temples, Draksharama Bheemeshwara Swamy and located in a green belt due to river Godavari. The temple (along with Kumararama Bheemeswara Swamy temple at Samalkot) has been constructed by the East Chalukyan king during Nineth century. The temple also consists one of the Shakti peetha, Sri Manikyamba. Irrespective of the kind, people who perfom puja here will be free of their sins.

Importance of Draksharama

Daksha vatika was the name in use earlier for this place. Kaksha Prajapathi performs a yagna without calling his daughter Parvathi and Shiva. Parvathi attends the function, she gets ill treated. She jumps into fire without tolerating the insult. Later the name Daksha Vatika got changed to Draksharamam.
Once upon a time Draksharamam was considered as a Buddhist complex. The speciality of this Shiva Lingam is that, the early morning tender Sun light falls on the Linga. There are nearly 800 ancient scripts on the walls of the temple. The celeberations in this Devalayam started during 14th century in the period of Reddy Kings. On the Eastern door (Dwara) Goddess Gogulamma, Western gate Nookambika, Northern side Moodhambike and at Southern side, Ghattambike can be seen.
Draksharama inside temple view

Shiva Lingam is nearly 9 ft hight and the top part is seen at the first floor. There are other small temples inside the main temple premises. To name a few, Praakara Bhairavudu, Viroopa, Natarajeshwar, Vaamana, Visheshwara, Dancing Ganapati, Dundhi Ganapathi, Goddess Kanakadurga and Goddess Annapurna. To the right side of Bheemeshwara Swamy temple, Kashi Vishweshwara Swamy temple (South facing) is situated. For performing puja (Abhisheka), water from Sapta Godavari is used as it is considered sacred.
Devotees come in huge number during Kartika Masam (November-December) for performing puja in this temple. Grand celeberations can be witnessed during Janmadinotsav (Birthday) i.e during Margashira Shudha Chathurdashi.
There is a choultry in the front side of the temple where free food is served for visitors. Travellers can relax here and refresh. Well maintained toilet and bathroom facility available. The maintenance of the temple is taken care by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Photography is restricted inside the Garbha Gruham, allowed outside the temple premises. Dormitory facility available at a very nominal cost which is available at a distance of half kilometer from the temple. Bigger one INR 200 per day and smaller one is INR 100 per day. The temple timings are given below.
Daily Dharma Darshan: 6.00AM to 7.00AM and night 7.00PM to 8.00PM
Wednesdays: 6.00AM to 11.30AM and 3.00PM to 8.00PM
Rest of the days: 6.00AM to 12 noon and 3.00PM to 8.00PM
There is a pond nearer to the temple which is called Sapta (seven) Godavari Kundam (pond).

How to reach

Architectural view of Draksharama temple

Draksharama is situated just 6 Kms away from Ramachandra Puram in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Only bus facility is available to reach. Nearest Railway stations are Kakinada, Rajahmundry. Samalkot (junction) is one more nearest railway station where people can plan to get down in case they want to visit other places in this area. Few trains give stop at Annavaram also. Get proper information about the stoppage of trains in these stations as all the trains will not stop. Excellent bus facility is available from Kakinada and Ramachandrapuram.
People travelling by train from any part of the country, get down at Samalkot. If they get train upto Kakinada, get down at Kakinada. Pilgrims can reach Kakinada by bus also. The distance between Samalkot and Kakinada is only 12Kms. From Kakinada, Draksharama is 28 Kms on the way to Kotipalli. There are frequent buses available to Kotipalli.
Draksharama temple Garbha gruha entrance

Draksharama temple Garbha gruha entrance

Visitors travelling by bus have several options. Travelling from Kolkata and other Northern part of India, have to take National Highway 5 and reach Annavaram after Visakhapatnam. After Annavaram take left turn at Kathipudi to proceed either to Samalkot or Kakinada. People coming from Hyderabad and other parts of the country, take right diversion at Ravulapalem before reaching Rajahmundry where green direction boards are installed on Highway. Ramachandra puram is only 45minutes journey from this point. From Ramachandrapuram, continue in the road going towards Yanam to reach Draksharama. Draksharama is at a distance of 470 Kms from Hyderabad.

Additional places of interest around Draksharama include Samalkot (Pancharama, Kumararama Bheemeshwara temple), Annavaram, Thalupulamma Thalli and Rajahmundry. Tourists better plan their stay either at Kakinada, Samalkot or Rajahmundry. Travellers can also make Rajahmundry as the center place for their trip.

Number of User Comments : 6

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pawan kumar	13-03-2010
hello, i am satisfied with these information about draksharamam, but not satisfied with the pictures, because pictures are very small & there is no picture of idle thanks

prathima rao	22-11-2011
hi, i had visited the temple. Worth to see. Nice place.

Dp gadu	30-11-2011
Iam satisfied 2 dis information...than q

sai krishna	15-08-2012
hay it was nice place and iwas very much interested to see this place

s.sarada	31-05-2014
Sarada Devi most power full place

yugandhar BVB	25-07-2015
this is the most powerful devotional place in one of the pancharamas. my self & my family & friend family visit to this. Especially lucky to seen lord shiva (lingam) on 23 Jul 15