BHADRACHALAM A PLACE OF RAMA

Bhadrachalam is situated on the banks of Godavari River, is 161 kilometres from Rajahmundry and 201-km from Vijayawada. It is considered to be one of the greatest holy shrines in South India as Lord Rama lived here for some time.The legend associated with this place is that a saint called "Bhadra", son of 'Meru', did penance here to have a 'darshan' of Lord Sri Rama and Sri Rama appeared before him and the name of 'Bhadrachalam' or 'Bhadradri' is derived from his name.
Bhadrachalam is famous throughout India for its temple of Sri Seetaramachandra Swamy. Situated on the left bank of the mighty river Godavari it is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, as it is considered to be one of the greatest holy shrines in South India with a historical background.
On Sreeramanavami (marriage anniversary celebrations of Lord Rama and his consort Sitadevi) an estimated three lakh people congregate here to witness the holy "Kalyana Mahotsavam" marriage ceremony.The puranic and historic facts relate that Lord Rama long after he had shed his mortal coils manifested himself to save his devotee Bhadra Maharshi whom he promised 'moksha'. That is why the village is named after Bhadra as Bhadradri or Bhadrachalam. It is said that Srirama appeared in a dream to a woman called Pokala Dammakka and informed her about the existence of idols on Bhadragiri hills. To her surprise she found the idols and put up a modest structure. This was the origin of the present temple. Later in the 17th century Gopanna commonly known as Ramdas had spent 6 lakhs of rupees to renovate the temple. He was the tahsildar in the court of Abul Hassan Tanashah and the money he spent for renovating the temple was the revenue collected by him. Instead of remitting the money to the government treasury, he utilised the amount for the temple because of which he was arrested. One can still see the cell where he was confined in the Golconda fort. At this juncture Srirama himself appeared in Tanashah's dream produced a receipt which denoted payment of the amount back to the king in the shape of gold coins known as 'Ramamada' in 'Rama Tenki'. Next morning the Sultan personally came to the cell where Ramdas was interned and released him. The Sultan was awe struck by this miracle and bestowed a number of gifts on Gopanna and also restored him to his position of Tahsildar. He also announced grants to the temple which continued under the Nizam's Government. Some of the jewels like Kalikiturai, Pachala Pathakam, Chintaku Pathakam, presented to Lord Rama and Sita by Ramadas are still preserved in the temple and they can be seen even now.