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Facts to
File
 How far : 460 km from
Hyderabad, 185 km from Vijayawada, 17 km from Kakinada,
40 km from Rajahmundry.
How to go : Air :
Nearest
airport is Vijayawada
Rail : Nearest railhead is
Rajahmundry or Kakinada and by bus from
there.
Where to stay : Choultries or
Budget hotels at Kakinada or Rajahmundry.
What to see : The Siva
Temple
Known as Dakshina Kasi (Southern Banares), Draksharamam is
considered highly sacred, next only to Banares, the holiest of Siva
temples in the country. Located in the Godavari district, the temple
here is one of the most important Saiva Aramas. Sivaratri attracts
huge crowds of pilgrims. There are four entrances to the temple,
each facing the four cardinal directions. Every entrance is again
covered by a Gopuram. On the upper storey, there is a pillared
Pradakshina on three sides, a narrow Antrala and a Garbhagriha. A
Linga rises from the Garbhagriha. A narrow Mandapam and the Mukha
are other features of the shrine. Mythological figures are
decoratively carved on the walls and the pillars. The temple art
shows the influence of a blend of sculptural traditions of Chalukya
and Chola styles. Famous Telugu poet Srinatha is said to have
written Prabandha Kavya Bhimakhanda about this sacred place.
LEGEND
 There are two legends associated with the
place. It is believed that sage Vyasa performed penance here and
gave it the name Dakshina Kasi. One legend is that Saptha Maharshis
(seven sages) to achieve the ends of their penance divided the
akhanda (undivided) Godavari into seven streams at Draksharamam.
There is Saptha Godavari Kundam (seven river pond) near the temple,
where devotees bathe. Bharadwaja, Jamagagni and Viswamithra streams
are known as Antharwahinis as they have gone underground. According
to another legend, Lord Siva's father-in-law, a king by name Daksha
Prajapathi, performed a great yaga here. Parvathi attended the yaga
uninvited and immolated herself when illtreated. Hence the place got
the name, Daksha Vatika and later became Daksharamam and
Draksharamam. A number of rock edicts (sasanas) are engraved on the
temple walls.
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