Bhadrachalam Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is the major airport listed for the temple.

• By train

  Khammam Railway Station is the nearest railway station listed for the temple.

Why devotees come here

The Sri Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple stands on the Godavari riverbank in Bhadrachalam town, east Telangana. It is dedicated to Rama, a prominent avatar of Vishnu. Since October 2016 it has been in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

Rama is the main deity here. The temple is one of the Divya Kshetrams of Godavari and is also revered as Dakshina Ayodhya. Local legend says a stone became a man named Bhadra by Rama's grace. Bhadra was considered a son of Mount Meru. Rama promised to return and meet him once he had found Sita, who had been abducted by the demon king Ravana.

By some accounts the bhakti saint Kancherla Gopanna, also called Bhadrachala Ramadasu, built the temple in the 17th century. Other accounts say he repaired it. The temple was completed in the second half of the 17th century, at a cost of nearly six lakh varahas. Inside, Rama sits in padmasana with Sita on his lap, and Lakshmana stands to his left. On top of the sanctum's vimana is an eight-faced Sudarshana Chakra, which Gopanna engraved.

The temple has four entrances. The Vaikuntha Dwaram, a huge door, was built in 1974 to help manage visiting devotees. Directly opposite the sanctum stands a gold-plated flag post.

Festivals

• March to AprilBrahmotsavam

  The twelve-day annual festival and the biggest in Bhadrachalam. The wedding of Rama and Sita on the eve of Rama Navami is its key event.

• March to AprilRam Navami

  Episodes from the Ramayana are re-enacted during the festival.

• January, per an older news reportVaikunta Ekadasi

  A 21-day fete. The festival images of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are seated on a Garudavahanam, and devotees pass through the Vaikuntha Dwaram.

• December 20, per an older news reportTeppotsavam

  The annual float festival.

• HoliVasanthotsavam

  Coincides with Holi and marks the start of the preparations for Brahmotsavam.

Tips for your visit

• If you hold a special visit ticket, use the separate entrance on the left of the sanctum.
• The main entrance is reached by 50 steps.
• Parnasala, linked to the exile of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, is about 35 km away and is a nearby sight.

Questions people ask