Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple

Overview

The Sri Manikyamba Devi Temple, in Andhra Pradesh is the home the Goddess Shakthi. Manikyamba Devi is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. The prevalent view is that the spot where left cheek of Goddess Sati fell after her demise is the spot where Goddess Manikyamba Devi showed up. This spot is accepted to be the Draksharamam Temple (Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple) in Andhra Pradesh. This spot is additionally called as Dakshina Kashi.

About the Temple

This temple is one of the 'Pancharamas'. This is an old and heavenly pagoda. This is one of the rumored pioneer focuses in Andhra Pradesh. A great many explorers and fans visit the temple and love the God to get gifts. This temple is an ensured Monument. The Archeological Department needs to embrace the remodel works of this temple to make magnificence and perfect environment. The abundance of engravings and epigraphical subtle elements that can be looked from the engravings on the dividers of this temple are a heaven for the epigraphist and the antiquarian. This temple is overseen by the Executive Officer under the Endowments' control Departments. Devi Navaratrulu, Karthika Masam, Dhanurmasam, Birthday Celebration of Sri Bhimeswara Swamy varu, Subrahmanya Shasti, Maha Sivaratri and Kalyanam and so forth., are the critical celebrations of this Temple.Manikyamba Devi temple at Draksharamam in Andhra Pradesh is one of the Ashtadasa Shakti temple. It is trusted that the Navel piece of Devi Sati has fallen here when God Vishnu has cut her carcass with his Sudarshan Chakra. It is likewise one among the five capable sanctuaries of God Shiva, understood as Pancharama sanctuaries. Here God Shiva is for the sake of Bhimeswara Swamy and her partner is Devi Manikyamba.

Temple is arranged on eastern Bank of the colossal stream Godavari. Manikyamaba devi temple present in internal circle (prakara) of God Bhimeswara swamy temple. It is available in North East Corner of the grounds. There is a Srichakra beneath Manikyamaba mata symbol. Manikyamaba devi will see left side, proposing us she was worshiped beforehand in Vama marga (Left course). Sun god and Saptarshis worshiped God Bhimeswara swamy and Manikyamba devi here. As indicated by nearby legend, consecrated Draksharama Temple has a 'Shiva lingam' cherished by god Surya. The temple was fabricated by blessed messengers in one night. The border's development divider couldn't be finished before dawn and still stands inadequate. A few endeavors have been made to develop the uncompleted piece of the divider however each one of those endeavors have fizzled with the built divider giving way inside of a couple of months. The claim to fame of this Shiva Lingam is that, the early morning delicate Sun light falls on the Linga. There are about 800 antiquated scripts on the temple's dividers. The Siva Linga in this temple is said to be one extensive precious stone which is 2.6 meters high. Siva is joined by Dakshayani, who is the first wife of Siva. There are three stories identified with Manikyamba devi.

Draksharamam is a two amazed antiquated temple. The temple is based on 12 sections of land plot, with gigantic dividers speaking to a stronghold. The temple is manufactured by Bhima, the Eastern Chalukya King of Vengi amid 9-tenth Century AD when his kingdom was assaulted by Rashtrakootas. The temple structural planning has a mix of Chalukya and Chola styles. The temple dividers and columns have awesome carvings of divine beings and goddesses. The Draksharamam temple has about 400 engravings going back to eleventh century in Telugu and Sanskrit dialects. The temple has two prakaras. The external prakara has four passages checked with four gopurams on every side of the passageway. The passage to the inward prakara is from the south. The south-bound passage is checked by a line of pillared two amazed veranda. There are steps prompting the sanctum, on the first floor where the fundamental God Bheemeshwara is venerated. At the passageway, symbols of Dundi Ganapathy and Natya Ganapathy welcome the fans to the temple. Inside the temple is the Dwajastambam and two Prakaras which is dim. On the dividers of the Prakara are an excess of little stone projections.

It is trusted that at first when the temple was manufactured, there were precious stones kept in those spots which lit the Prakara by its sparkle. At the point when the temple was pillaged by Aurangzeb, precious stones transformed into stones. Consequently the Prakara is dim. There are 26 divine beings and goddesses in the temple. Inside the Prakara, are little places of worship of gods - Sri Lakshmi Narayana, the Kshetra Palaka, Prakara Bhairavudu, God Virupaksha, God Subramanya, Sapta Matrukas, God Hanuman, Navagraha, Ashta Dik Palakas, Kailasa Ganapathy, Goddess Kankadurga, Goddess Annapurna, Nataraja and 108 Shiva Lingam on a square stone and Bhima Sabha. A temple devoted to Kashi Vishveshwara Swamy is on the right half of God Bheemeshwara Swamy temple. The temple is extremely very much ventilated with regular light and air. There is likewise another little temple inside of the temple, which is a primary's model temple. The temple is kept up by the Andhra Pradesh government.

The evil spirit, Tarakasura performed gigantic retribution and got the Atma lingam as a help from God Shiva. With the gifts of God Shiva, Tarakasura conferred abominations against the Devas. The Devas, begged Parvati Devi to put a conclusion to Tarakasura. Parvati Devi murdered Tarakasura through her child, God Shanmukha or God Subramanya. God Shiva taught Shanmukha to pulverize the atma linga in Tarakasura's neck and after that slaughter the devil. The atma lingam broke into five pieces when it was crushed. These five pieces fell at five spots known as Pancharamam. The primary Pancharamam is Amareshwara, at Amaravathi which is introduced by God Indra, the second is Someshwara at Bheemavaram introduced by God Chandra, the third is Ksheera Ramalingam at Palakollu introduced by God Rama, the fourth is Kumara Rama Bheemeshwara in Samalakota introduced by God Shanmukha and the fifth being Draksharamam. The Saptarishis asked for River Godavari to approach Draksharamam to filter the bit of Atma lingam fallen at Draksharamam. Be that as it may, Godavari reacted late, hence God Shiva developed himself in Draksharamam. In this manner God Bheemeshwara is considered as a Swayambu at Draksharamam.

As per one puranic reference, Saptamaharishis (seven sages) partitioned the Godavari River into seven streams at Draksharamam. Bhardwaja, Viswamitra and Jamadagni streams are known as Antarvahinis, as they have gone underground. These streams later converged into one and are known as Sapta Godavari Kundam (lake) close to the temple where enthusiasts scrub down. Another reference is that Manikyamba Devi was the little girl of a whore. One day she longed for God Bheemeshwara and chose to wed Him. She asked with extraordinary commitment to God Shiva lastly wedded God Bheemeshwara. Manikyamba Devi is likewise considered as the Kula Devtha of whores. Another puranic reference is that the temple was built up by the sun god-God Surya. The heavenly attendants chose to fabricate the temple overnight. On the other hand, at first light break, the edge divider development was inadequate. A few endeavors made later to develop the edge divider went futile. The divider would fall in a matter of couple of months. Accordingly the divider stays fragmented even right up 'til today. Another story is that a Brahmin dowager made a brilliant icon of her little girl who had passed on. Over a duration of time, the symbol began talking. This symbol was improved with Manikyas (diamonds) consequently the icon got its name as Maniykamba. Bhimadeva, a King took the icon and loved as his Kula Devatha.

About the Deity

Manikyamba Devi is an incarnation of Goddess Shakthi. Sat?, otherwise called Dakshayani is a Hindu goddess of conjugal felicity and life span. A part of Adi Parashakti, Dakshayani is the first associate of Shiva, the second being Parvati, the rebirth of Sati herself.

Legend and Stories

There is another imperative story with respect to Manikyamaba devi. Manikyamba devi is a little girl of a whore. One day she saw God Bhimeswara in her fantasy, and concluded that she will wed God Bhimeswara just. She demonstrated awesome dedication towards God Shiva, lastly got God Bhimeswara swamy as her spouse. An awesome Poet Srinatha, fitting in with fourteenth century likewise specified this story in his extraordinary work, Bhimakhanadam. From that point onwards Manikyamba devi was worshiped as Mother goddess. Manikyamba devi additionally considered as Kula devata of vesyas. Sometime in the distant past, evil spirit Tarakasura had his tapas and booned by God Shiva with his AtmaLinga. With this pleased, Tarakasura had submitted numerous wrongdoings against devas. Because of this all devas went to make Goddess Pravathi marriage with God Shiva keeping in mind the end goal to slaughter Tarakasura by bringing forth God Shanmukha. Shanmukha went for a fight against Tarakasura. On God Shiva's recommendation, Shanmukha pulverized atmalinga in Tarakasura's neck and executed him. The bits of atmalinga had fallen at 5 sacred spots in Andhra Pradesh which are prominent known as Pancharamams. One is Amareshwara introduced by God Indra in Amaravathi, the second is Someswara introduced by God Chandra in Bheemavaram, the third is Ksheera Ramalingeswara introduced by God Rama in Palakollu, the fourth is Kumara Rama Bheemeswara introduced by Shanmukha in samrlakota and the fifth one is Bheemeswara who had shown himself in Drakshramam. With a specific end goal to sanitize the piece fallen in Drakshramam, the sages asked for River Godavari yet Godavari had reacted late which made God Shiva to develop himself in Draksharamam. Stream Godavari came here with the solicitation of Saptarshi thus called SapthaGodavari which is situated on east to the temple as Pushkarini.

Draksharamam is a Shavite holy place. On a day, God Shiva tried Sage Vyasa by not getting him any sustenance by gift in Kasi. Sage Vyasa lost his understanding on his hungry took a stab at reviling Kasi yet Goddess Annapurna had given nourishment to Vyasa and his pupils. God Shiva had requested him to leave kasi. The goddess had proposed Drakshramam, a likeness Kasi to spend his remaining life. It is trusted that sage Vyasa who performed retribution here named this as Dakshina Kasi (Southern Benaras). Legend has it that the Saptamaharshis (Seven sages) to accomplish the end of their compensation separated the akhanda (unbranched) Godavari River into seven unique streams at Draksharama. Bharadhwaja, Viswamitra and Jamadagni streams known as Antarvahinies, were accepted to have gone underground. There is Sapta Godavari Kundam (Seven waterway lake) close to the temple. Fans shower in this kundam. Sivarathri pulls in gigantic hordes of explorers. Draksharamam, is a standout amongst the most frequented traveler focus of South India. It is one of the Shiva Pancharamas and one of 18 Shakti Peethas. It is celebrated as both Shiva kshetra and Shakti kshetra. God Bheemeswara swamy and Manikyamba are principle the divinities here. This spot is likewise called as Dakshina Kashi. There is an intriguing legend with respect to the name of this spot and presence of God Shiva in this spot. Amid Tarakasura vadha, the Shiva Linga which was in the throat of Tarakasura broke into five pieces and one of the pieces fell here. From that point, it came to be known as Draksharamam. After the passings of Sati, the twelfth piece of her body i.e. her cleared out cheek fell here which is currently known as Goddess Manikyamba. The temple is a 2 storied complex and resembles a fortification. It has 2 Prakarams(paths). The external Prakaram has 4 doorways in 4 unique bearings with flawlessly cut Gopurams and each of the passageway is known as 4 distinct types of Goddesses i.e. Gogulamma, Nookambika, Moodhambike, GhattambikeIn this temple we can see God Bheemeswar Swamy, who is the fundamental divinity as a tall Shiva Lingam. The Shiva Lingam is about 9 ft. A flight of steps leads one to the upper level of the Sanctum where one can see the upper piece of God Bheemeswar Swamy.

The strength of this Shiva Lingam is that, the early morning delicate Sun light falls on the Shiva Lingam. The Shiva linga is of a precious stone composition. There are dark stripes on the upper part. These are said to be the tiger's markings skin worn by God Shiva when He was in camouflage of a Hunter when he battled with Arjuna. Manikyamba Devi's hallowed place is available in posterior of the temple at the left corner. Goddess face is looking towards left, meaning her as Vamachara Devatha. God Vishnu place of worship is available at the passageway of primary temple. He is the Kshetrapalaka of Draksharamam. God Vishnu is available here alongside his consort, Lakshmi Devi. There are other little places of worship inside the fundamental temple premises. To give some examples, there is the, Praakara Bhairavudu, Viroopa, Natarajeshwar, Vaamana, Visheshwara, Dancing Ganapathi, Dundhi Ganapathi, Goddess Kanakadurga and Goddess Annapurna and Kashi Vishweshwara Swamy temple which confronts south is on the right half of Bheemeshwara Swamy temple. For performing puja (Abhisheka), water from Sapta (seven) Godavari Kundam (lake) is utilized as it is viewed as consecrated. Legend has it that the Saptamaharishis (Seven Sages) to accomplish the closures of their atonement separated the Akhanda (unbranched) Godavari River into seven unique streams. Out of these seven streams, Draksharamam. Bharadhwaja, Viswamitra and Jamadagni streams known as Antarvahinis, were accepted to have gone underground. These streams later converged at this lake and was from that point were called Sapta Godavari Kundam. The busiest time in the temple is amid the Maha Shivarathri celebration in the month of February/March. Amid the same time in the month, Sri Swamivari Kalyanam (wedding function) is hung on Bhishma Ekadasi. Consistently in the month of October, Navarathri is praised and in November, Kartheeka Monday celebrations and Jwalathoranam is commended. In December, the conception commemoration of the God is commended as Shasti Festival. Draksharamam is a vital Maha Shakthi Peetha. This spot is otherwise called Dakshina Kashi alongside Srisailam and Kaleeswara or Kalahasti which constitute the three consecrated Shiva Lingas of Andhra Pradesh. Here Devi Sati's left cheek has fallen. Devi is loved as Manikyamba and God Bhairava as Bheemeshwara. Draksharamam is one of the five Pancharamams, (consecrated spots of God Shiva) the other four being Amararamam, Ksheeraramam, Somaramam and Bhimaramam. Draksharamam is 6 kms from Ramachandra Puram, East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh.

Rare Facts

Initial one is of a Brahmin dowager made a brilliant icon to recollect that her kicked the bucket little girl. Be that as it may, after some time, the icon got talking force. This icon was improved with Manikyas (pearls), henceforth the name Manikyamba or Manikyeswari. Bhimadeva, another lord resulted in these present circumstances zone taken that icon and worshiped her as his Kula devata. A few stories likewise lets us know that Manikyamba name originates from a word Mainakamba, That implies she was the little girl of Menaka devi, wife of Himavanta. Bit by bit the word Manikamba turned as Manikyamba after some time period.

Significance

People approach this temple with prayers for marriage to a man of the woman’s choice, for health and longevity of one’s spouse.

Festivals

Devotees come in huge number during kartika masam ( November - December ) for performing puja in this temple. Grand celebrations can be witnessed during Janmadinotsav (Birthday ) i.e during Margashira Shudha Chathurdashi. Devi navaratrulu , Dhanurmasam , Subramanya Shashti , Maha sivarathiri and Kalyanam are the important festivals in this temple.

Accessibility

Sri Bhimeswara Temple in Draksharamam Town is well connected by road from all places in Andhra Pradesh State. This temple is 40 km away from Kakinada Town. One can reach this Shiva Temple in Draksharamam by Buses or Taxis operated by Government and Private travel agencies from Kakinada Town. The nearest Railway Station is Anaparthi Railway Station Junction, which is 20 km away Draksharamam. Sri Bhimeswara Temple in Draksharamam can be reached by Buses or Taxis operated by Government or Private transport services from Anaparthi Railway Station. Nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport, which is 70 km away from Sri Bhimeswara Temple in Draksharamam. Shri Bhimeswara Temple in Draksharamam can be accessed from Rajahmundry Airport by Buses or Private Taxis run by Government and Private Transport agencies.