Places of interest in and around Bhadrachalam Some of the places of interest in and around Bhadrachalam are the Ushna Kundam (hot water pond), Parna Shala (the hut where Rama and Sita lived), the temples of Kabir and Rama Dasu, the temple of Sita, the temple of Anjaneya, the Sabari river, river Godavari, the place where Sita Devi dried her sarees, the foot prints of Sita etc.
Panchavati Parna Shala
This place is situated 38kms from Bhadrachalam. It is believed that Rama, Sita and Lakshmana lived at this place during their Vana vasa. The details of this are described in detail in the 13, 14 and 15 cantos of the epic poem Ramayana written by the sage Valmiki.
When Rama was living in the Dandakaranya forest, he approached sage Agastya and asked him where they should go next. Then the sage advised them to go southwards and live on the banks of Godavari on the Bhadragiri hill.
While they started going southwards, they met Jatayu, the bird king who was a friend of Dasaratha, father of Rama. Jatayu also requested them to stay for some time at that place. Then they built a hut (Parna Shala) at Panchavatee and lived there. It was at this place, Soorpanakha, the sister of Ravana was punished by Lakshamana as she tried to seduce Rama and attempted to kill Sita. Ravana kidnapped Sita from this place only in revenge of the insult meted out to Soorpanakha.
Godavari here is called Dakshina Vahini as its flow here is southwards. The riverbank in which Sita and Rama used to take their bath can also be seen here which is popularly known as Snanala revu. The footprints of Sita and the place where she dried her sarees under the sun can be seen even today at this place. These rocks have flat surfaces and are saffron in colour. It is in this place that Mareecha had visited the place in the form of a golden deer to distract Rama.
It is believed that Sita's mother, the Goddess Earth (Bhudevi) provided three varieties of small stones. The powder from these stones was used by Sita while taking bath as Nalugu (cleansing powder). Interestingly these stones can be easily powdered by crushing with hand and the powder from these stones has the colour of turmeric and Kumkum (maroon colour). Even today pilgrims visiting this place collect these stones.
A huge tree can be found here on the banks of the river. It is believed that Soorpanakha tried to seduce Rama, while Rama and Sita were taking rest under this tree. Devotees visiting this place throw stones at this tree even today to show their anger towards Soorpanakha. Interestingly, deer is not found in and around this forest area. It is believed that this is due to the curse of the Rishis.
Opposite to the Parnashala, on the other bank of the river is a place called Ravana gattu. People here believe that Ravana came on his chariot to this place and then went in disguise to Parnashala to take away Sita. The traces of the wheels of Ravana's chariot and the footprints of the golden deer also can be found here. The Rama idol here is called Soka Rama (sad Rama), as Rama was in deep sorrow due to the abduction of Sita. If people in distress pray to the Lord here, they will be blessed and be relieved from their troubles.
There is a village by name Dummu Gudem at a distance of 6kms from the Parna Shala. As per the story, Rama fought a fierce battle at this place with the daemons. During this battle lot of dust was raised from the ground and it is believed that a village was built with this dust. Hence this village got its name Dummu Gudem (Dummu means dust). At a little distance from this place one can find places known as Lakshmana Gutta and Jatayuvu Gutta. They are also worth visiting.
Ushna Kundam /Sesha Teertham
This place is at a distance of 6 kms from Bhadrachalam. As per the mythology associated with this place, Adi Shesha (the King of Snakes) was having problem from daemons. They often attacked his abode. Not able to withstand the onslaught, Adi Shesha consulted Lord Brahma. He advised him to performed a Homa (a fire ritual to please gods) for Shiva at this place to get relief from the daemons.
Pleased with his rituals Lord Shiva fought against the daemons and gave him a Trishula, a weapon. With this weapon, he made a tunnel in the earth to reach the Patala Loka (under world). This path remained open.
It is believed that a river named Bhogapati used to flow in the Patala Loka. This river flowed from the Patala Loka through this tunnel and flowed into the river Godavari, submerging the place where the Homa was conducted. As a Homa was performed at this place the water at this place became warm and to this day water here can be found warmer than the river water elsewhere. This is why this place is called Ushna Kundam (place with warm water). This place is also known as Shesha Theertham, as Adi Shesha did Homa at this place.
Sabari River
People visiting Bhadrachalam should also visit without fail the place where the river Sabari meets Godavari river.
Sabari, a tribal woman, was a great devotee of Rama all her life. When Rama entered the Dandakaranya forest she hoped that Rama will come to visit her. By then, she became very old. Still she gathered varieties of fruits from the trees in the forest for offering them to Rama. Rama indeed visited her and took rest for a while in her house. She offered Rama the fruits collected by her. However, before Rama ate them, she tasted each fruit and made sure that Rama got the ripe and tasteful ones only. Moved by her devotion and affection towards him, Rama blessed her that she will become a river named Sabari and will be remembered forever by the people. This river Sabari converges with Godavari near Bhadrachalam. Hence the river here is treated as sacred and it is believed that people taking bath here will be blessed by Rama.
Interesting places to be seen within the Temple
The main entrance to the temple at Bhadrachalam is facing the west. On the western side of the temple there are some places of importance. They are the Deepa Stambham, Anjaneya Swamy, Dhwaja Sthambham, Subrahmanyeswara Swamy temple, Kula Shekhara Alwar's temple and Laksmi Narasimha Swamy temple.
On the eastern side of the temple, one can find Rathasala, Jammi Mantapam, Santana Gopala Swamy mantapam, Narayana Swamy varu, Rama's foot prints on the head of Bhadra and the Govinda raja temple on the outskirts.
On the northern side of the temple, we can see the Uttara Gopuram, Adhyayana Mantapam, Addala Mahal, Dwadashi (Kanakavarni and Tayaru) mantapam, Sree Ranga Nayakulu, Sree Hayagreeva Swamy, Malayala Maha Munulu, Udayaparulu, Kurattalwarulu, Nammalwarulu, Vishwaksenulu, Thirumangayalwarulu, Kalyana Mantapam and Vaikuntha darsanam.
On to the south of the temple we can find the Dakshina Gopuram, Sasana Stambhalu, Ranganayaka Swamy, Gopala Swamy, Andallu-Venkateswara Swamy, Varaha Swamy, Narada Muni, Raja Gopala Swamy, Perialwar, Vijaya Gopala Swamy, Lakshmi Narayana swamy, Vasudeva Swamy and Rama Dhyana mandiram etc.
Apart from the above, we can see within the temple precincts Yaga Sala, Pattabhisheka Mantapam, Kalyana Mantapam and many other mantapas(halls). In Bhadrachalam town, there are many other temples. Some of them are the Shiva temple, Kusuma Haranatha temple, Govindaraja Swamy matham, Venu Gopala Swamy peetam and Rama Dasu dhyana Mandiram.
Fee should be paid at the temple for performing any special services to God. However at the Dhwaja Sthambha (wooden pole erected inside the temple in front of the deity), one can offer coconut freely and give Harati (lighting of camphor) to the God. Every Friday, the idols are kept in the Addala mantapam (glass house), which is on the way to the main temple. One can buy the Sreevari Padalu (feet of the Lord) and Kumkuma from the temple office. |
