Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy Temple - Bhadrachalam

Bhadrachalam is known for the temple dedicated to Sita Ramachandra Murthi. The temple is situated on the north bank of Godavari in Khammam district.It is considered to be one of the greatest holy shrines in south india with rich and unique historical background. 

The name is derived from Bhadragiri (Mountain of Bhadra: a boon child of Meru and Menaka). The history of this shrine stands for the significance of Ramayana Era, the coherent hill place existed in "Dandakaranya" of Ramayana period where Rama with his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana had spent their vanavasa. 

History :

This temple was constructed in 17th century by Thasildar of Bhadrachalam, Kancharla Gopanna Popularly known as Bhakta Ramdas, a devotee of Lord Sri Rama.

Legend :

According to the legend Lord Sri Rama appeared to a woman by name Pokala Dammaka in her dreams and revealed his presence in the form of idols, inside an anthill in Bhadrachalam on the northern banks of River Godavari. Dammakka, being an ardent devotee of lord Rama went in search of the deities and found them in an ant hill. She cleared the ant hill with pails of water from river Godavari to expose the idols of Valmiki Rama. Dammakka offeredNaivedyam to the deities with palm tree fruits with lot of devotion. Though she constructed a thatched roof over the deities, Dammakka was very much worried over her boloved lord Rama not having a temple dedicated to him. She met the then Tahasildar of Bhadrachalam Kancharla Gopanna and  explained about the need for construction of a temple for lord Sri Rama.

Kancharla Gopanna, himself being an ardent devotee of lord Sri Rama organized a meeting of all the villagers to discuss the construction of a grand temple. Gopanna started the construction of the temple and used 6 lacs of siver coins from the government coffers for the purpose and completed the construction in the year 1657 AD. After the construction Sri Sudharshana Chakra miraculously appeared in the holy river Godavari and it was installed at the temple crest(vimana) by Gopanna’s Aacharya Sri Raghunatha Bhattar swami. After the successful construction of the temple, Gopanna performed Tadiyaaradhana(serving food) to devotees  and during this ceremony his son Raghurama fell into the boiling hot Kanji and died. Gopanna was heart broken and prayed lord Rama passionately and with the blessings of lord Rama Gopanna’s son Raghurama was said to have been reincarnated.

The news of the construction of Ram temple and the appropriation of the public money for the purpose reached the nawab of Golkonda Tanisha. Using government revenue collection for the construction of the temple was treated as crime and Gopanna was imprisoned. From that day onwards people started calling Gopanna as Bhakta Ramadasu. Bhakta Ramadasu spent his time behind bars by praising the lord Rama by composing many keerthans. He was subjected to extreme kind of torture in the jail and Ramadasu found solace by rendering the songs of the lord.

At last goddess Sita heard the pleading of Ramadasu and she made a fervent appeal to Lord Rama to go to his rescue. Hearing the request of Sita during Pavalimpu Seva, Lord Rama along with Lakshmana left for Golkonda. Lord Rama and Lakshmana awakened Tanisha during midnight and introduced themselves as“Bhaktaramadasu Bantulu” (servants of Bhaktaramadasu) and disappeared after handing over 6 lacs of gold coins with inscriptions of “Rama Pattabhishekam”(Rama Madas).Feeling blessed by the darshan of lord Rama, Tanisha liberated Bhakta Ramadasu personally from prison. It is said that on that day when lord Rama and Lakshmana repaid the money to Tanisha, their idols in Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam were attired in soldiers uniform in the “Pavalimpu Vuyala” (cradle) and the archakas were greatly surprised at the sight.

After his release from the jail, Bhakta Ramadasu immersed himself in his devotion to lord Rama by rendering“Sri Ramayana Churnika”. He  performed the “Kalyanotsava”on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami with all pomp and giety openly outside the temple. Tanisha personally offered silk clothes (pattu vastralu) and pearls on Kalyanostsavam(Srirama Navami).

Legend has it that the son of Meru and Menaka, Bhadra, performed penances towards Rama here. Kabirdas, a Muslim by birth is also closely associated with this temple. It is believed that the images of the deities miraculously disappeared when Kabir was refused entry into the temple and that they reappeared miraculously upon his being permitted to enter.

Darshan Timings :

Morning 4.30 AM - 01.00 PM

Evening 3.00 PM - 08.30 PM

Temple Schedule :

The day begins at the temple with "Prabhadhotsavam" or awakening ceremony at 4.30 AM.

Time	Seva Description
06.00 am – 07.00 am	Antaralaya Abhishekam (Mulavarulu on Sundays)
07.00 am – 08.00 am	Abhishekam
08.30 am - 08.00 pm	Kesavanaamarchana
08.30 am – 09.30 pm	Sahasranamarchana
08.30 am – 09.30 pm	Suvarna Tulasi Astotharanamarchana (on Saturdays)
08.30 am – 09.30 pm	Suvarna Puspha Astothara Namarchana (on Sundays)
08.30 am	Sakalbhishtaprada Sree Rama Puja (Daily)
09.30 am – 11.00 am	Nitya Kalyana Ubhayam (Daily,except during Pavitrotsavams,Brahmotsavams and Vaikuntha ekadasi)
06.30 pm	Rajata Ratha Seva
08.00 pm - 08.30 pm	Alaya Chuttu Seva
08.00 pm – 08.30 pm	Vahana Seva (Garuda,Hamsa, Hanumantha, Rajadhiraja)

Festivals : 

Vaikuntha 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 Vaikuntha Ekadasi Fete.

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 Vaikuntha 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 Vaikuntha Dwara darshan .This holi festival attracts lakhs of pilgrims .

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.

Pilgrims take a holy dip in Godavari on the occasion of Karthik Poornima (Oct-Nov).

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.

How To Get Here :

By Air : Nearest airport to Bhadrachalam is Rajamundri domestic Airport. Nearest International airports are Hyderabad and Chennai airports which are about 325 km away from Bhadrachalam.

By Rail :Nearest Railway station is at Bhadrachalam Road station, also known as Kothagudem. It is 40 km from the Bhadrachalam city.

By Road : State owned transport bus facilities are available from the city to other major cities in the state. District head quarters Khammam, 120 km away, and State capital Hyderabad, 325 km away, are connected to Bhadrachalam by public transport buses.