Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple
Lord Rama (Vaikuntha Rama) with Sita and Lakshmana
Photo: iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0Legend
Tradition holds that Bhadra, son of Mount Meru, meditated for years on the banks of the Godavari chanting the Rama Taraka mantra. Vishnu appeared to him as Vaikuntha Rama, four-armed, with Sita on his lap and Lakshmana beside him, and the hill came to bear Bhadra's name. In the 17th century the revenue officer Kancherla Gopanna spent tax money on the temple and was jailed for 12 years by Sultan Abul Hasan Qutb Shah. Legend says Rama and Lakshmana appeared in the Sultan's dream and repaid the debt in gold Rama madas.
Why this temple matters
Bhadrachalam is called Dakshina Ayodhya, the Ayodhya of the south. Gopanna, remembered as Bhakta Ramadasu, completed the temple in the second half of the 17th century at a cost of nearly six lakh varahas. His devotional songs are still sung here and inspired Tyagaraja. Worship follows the Pancharatra Agama, and the temple is laid out as Bhadra's body: his head shrine, the sanctum as his heart and the Rajagopuram at his feet.
What devotees pray for here
Marriage & Partnership
The Sita Rama Kalyanam is the heart of Bhadrachalam. Its mangalasutra carries three gold discs, for Dasharatha, for Janaka and for Gopanna, who looked on Sita as his own daughter. Families seeking a good alliance and harmony in marriage pray at the Kalyanam and offer talambralu.
Peace & Family Harmony
The Brahma Purana says that those who worship Vaikuntha Rama here attain salvation and that the Lord grants knowledge. Devotees seeking calm bathe in the Godavari, sing Ramadasu's kirtanas and sit through the evening Darbar seva.
Festivals
- Sri Rama Navami Brahmotsavam (March–April): twelve days, with the Sri Sitarama Thirukalyana Mahotsavam (the wedding of Sita and Rama) and the Mahapattabhishekam coronation
- Vasanthotsavam (around Holi, February–March): women hand-prepare goti talambralu of rice, turmeric and pearls for the coming wedding
- Vaikuntha Ekadashi (December–January): a 21-day festival with the Teppotsavam on the Godavari in the swan-shaped Hamsavahanam and darshan through the Vaikuntha Dwaram
- Vijayadashami (September–October): ten days of Ramayana recitation, Nijaroopa darshan of Lakshmi Thayar and Ramlila at night
Poojas & rituals
- Suprabhata seva at 4 AM
- Archana and Sahasranama archana in the names of the family or the couple
- Abhishekam to Rama's feet on the rock in Bhadra's shrine
- Abhishekam at the Lakshmi Thayar shrine on Fridays and at the Anjaneya shrine on Tuesdays
- Darbar seva in the evening, about 7 to 8 PM
Personal predictions for your own birth chart, pooja booking and prasad delivery are in the SantoBaba app.
How to reach
Bhadrachalam is on the Godavari about 325 km east of Hyderabad. The nearest railhead is Bhadrachalam Road station, which is in Kothagudem town on the Secunderabad division of South Central Railway; the last stretch is by road.
Timings
Suprabhata seva begins at 4 AM. The temple closes from 12 noon to 3 PM after the Rajabhogam and reopens for archana at 3 PM. The day ends with Pavalimpu seva after 9 PM.
Rules & dress code
Follow the devasthanam's current notices at the entrance on dress, phones, cameras and queues. On Vaikuntha Ekadashi devotees enter through the Vaikuntha Dwaram.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Bhadrachalam for marriage prayers?
Sri Rama Navami Brahmotsavam in March–April, when the wedding of Sita and Rama is celebrated with pearl talambralu.
Can I book a pooja at Bhadrachalam without visiting?
Yes. Archana can be arranged through a priest, and SantoBaba sends you the video and prasadam.
Who built Bhadrachalam temple?
Kancherla Gopanna, known as Bhakta Ramadasu, built or restored it in the second half of the 17th century while serving as tehsildar under the Golconda Sultan.
Is Bhadrachalam temple open all day?
No. It closes from 12 noon to 3 PM.
What is special about the Rama idol at Bhadrachalam?
Rama sits in padmasana with four arms holding conch, discus, bow and arrow, Sita on his lap and Lakshmana standing beside him.
Photo gallery
Other temples for Marriage & Partnership: Kapaleeshwarar Temple · Meenakshi Amman Temple · Vaishno Devi Temple
Other temples for Peace & Family Harmony: Akshardham Temple · Badrinath Temple · Golden Temple · Jagannath Temple · Kapaleeshwarar Temple · Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Kedarnath Temple · Meenakshi Amman Temple · Ramanathaswamy Temple · Sabarimala Temple · Shirdi Sai Baba Temple · Sri Kanaka Durga Temple · Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple