Known as Dakshina Kasi (Southern Banares),
Draksharamam is regarded as one of the holiest of Siva temples and is
considered highly sacred, next only to Banares. Located in the Godavari
district, the temple is easily accessible from Kakinada
and Rajahmundry
and is one of the most important Saiva Aramas.
There are four entrances to the temple, each facing the four
cardinal directions. A beautiful Gopuram adorns every entrance. On the upper
storey, there is a pillared Pradakshina on three sides and a narrow Antrala. A
Linga rises from the sanctum sanctorum. A narrow Mandapam and the Mukha are
other features of the shrine. Mythological figures are intricately carved on
the walls and the pillars. The beautiful temple art is an amalgam of both the
Chalukya and Chola styles.
The origins of Draksharamam have several legends associated with
it. It is believed that sage Vyasa performed penance here and gave it the name
Dakshina Kasi. Another legend believes that the Saptha Maharshis (seven sages)
divided the akhanda (undivided) Godavari into
seven streams at Draksharamam to achieve the ends of their penance. Devotees
take a ritual bath at the Saptha Godavari Kundam (seven river pond) near the
temple. The Bharadwaja, Jamagagni and Viswamithra streams are known as
Antharwahinis as they have gone underground.
According to another legend, Lord Siva's father-in-law, King
Daksha Prajapathi, performed a great yaga here. Sati attended the yaga
uninvited and immolated herself when ill-treated. The place thus got the name
Daksha Vatika that later became Daksharamam and Draksharamam. You can see a
number of rock edicts (sasanas) engraved on the temple walls. The festival
of Sivarathri attracts huge crowds of pilgrims.
The Bhimeswara temple at Draksharamam is beautiful and also well
worth a visit. Bhimeswara is enshrined in the form of a ten feet high
Shivalingam in its sanctum sanctorum. Shiva's consort here is Manikyamba. The
temple walls and pillars are decoratively carved with mythological figures.
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