Badrachalam:
Badrachalam Town is about 300 Kms from Secunderabad.
Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple of Badrachalam is situated on the bank of River Godavari.
Main Arch of Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple.
The temple dates back to Rayamana Era. The temple was constructed in 17th century by Kancharala Gopanna who is popularly known as Baktha Ramadas a great devotee of Sri Rama.
The temple has main Raja Gopuram with five tiers. We climb few steps to enter into the temple. Inside the temple as we go around we see small sanctums for acharays, and other Gods.
Main Deity is Sita Ramar. Here we see Sri Ramar in sitting posture with Sanku, Chakkra, Bow and arrow in his hands. Sita is seen seated on his lap. Next to them Lakshmana is seen standing with Bow and Arrow in his hands.
Sthala purana: The idols of Vaikuntha Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, were found by Pokala Dammakka ardent devotee of Lord Sri Rama, lived in 17th century in Bhadrireddy palem about a Km away from Badrachalam. One day she had darshan of Sri Rama in her dream. Lord Sri Rama asked her to trace out the idols, which were worshipped by sages. He asked her to perform pooja and attain salvation. He said one of his devotee will construct a Mandir here. Next day when she went in search of the idols, she found them hidden in an ant hill. She poured water from River Godavari to wash the mud of Anthill, removed the idols and installed them on the hill in a small hut. She performed pooja for the idols of Lord Srirama, Lakshmana and Sita.
In the year 1674 AD Badrachala Rama temple was constructed by Kancharla Gopanna popularly known as Bhakta Ramadas.
Maharishi Badra penanced in this Dandakarnya, on the bank of River Godavari to be blessed by Lord Sri Rama. Sri Maha Vishnu manifested himself as Sri Vaikuntha Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana in front of his Baktha. Badra Rishi requested him to be seated on his head. Lord Sri Rama temple is on the head of Maharishi Badra. Achalam means hill, hence the place was known as Badrachalam.
Bhakta Raamadas: He was born Gopanna to Linganna Mantri and Kadamba, in a small village Nelakondapalli of Khammam District AP., in the year 1620. He composed several kritis on Lord Sri Rama. His devotion towards Vaikunda Rama of Badrachalam earned him fame as Badrachala Ramadass. Sri Raghunadha Battacharya is his Guru.
During the reign of Abdul Hasan Tana Shah, Gopanna (Ramadas) was appointed as Tasildar for Palvancha Paragna, this includes Badrachalam Town. Gopanna‘s devotion and love towards Lord Sri Rama compelled him to build temple for Lord. He collected money from people for construction of the temple. It was not sufficient so he borrowed from the Tax Revenue, owing to return the money. The Nawab was furious and sentenced him for 12 years in prison. Ramadas composed few finest kritis during that period. Rama and Lakshmana in disguise of two youngsters paid his dues and got his released papers. Lord Rama paid gold coins, which is known as Ram Tanka coins. Pattabishekam scene is seen to one side of the coin and to the other side Baktha Hanuman.
Nawab recognized the greatness of Ramadass and released him from prison and gave him land around Badrachalam. Baktha Ramadass spent rest of his life dedicated to Lord Sri Rama.
Parnasala: This place is about 35 kms from Badrachalam. The place was chosen by Agyasthya for Sri Rama to spend his vanavasa period in Dandakaranya.
Sri Rama constructed a Hermitage, and stayed here with his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana during his exile
Here we see padukai.
Stream of water is flowing which is known as Sita Vaagu, where she used to bathe and wash her clothing’s. The stones here appear in yellow and red colour. It is believed she used these stones powder as Turmeric and Kumkum.
Temple of Sri Rama at Parnasala.
Dwajasthambam in Sri Rama Temple.
The Deity of Parnasala is known as Sokarama.
We see Rama nama pillar.
Here near Parnasala in the same premises there is a temple for Lord Siva known as Ramalingeswara Swamy.
Here in this temple under the vruksham we see stone sculpture of Sri Rama with Sita sitting on his lap
Sri Ramar Temple of Maduranthagam.
Maduranthagam is about 77 kms to south of Chennai, 12 kms from Melmaruvathoor and about 23 kms from Chengalpet, in Kancheepuram District.
We see pushkarani in front of the temple
View of temple main Gopuram from inside.
As we enter inside we see Dwajasthambam and a mandapam leading us to main sanctum.
Main Deity is Karunakara Perumal in standing posture.
Urchavar, of this temple is known, as Karunakara Perumal / Periya Perumal.
We see deity of Sri Ramar, Seetha and Lakshmana in the main sanctum. Here Lord Sri Ramar is holding the hands of Seetha. Vipandaka Maharishi is seen worshiping Lord Rama inside the main sanctum.
Here, Thayar is seen in separate sanctum and known as Janakavalli Thayar. She is daughter of King Janaka, so she is known as Janakavalli.
Chakkrathazhwar is seen in separate sanctum. Yantrais installed here in this sanctum. Worshiping the Lord and yantra together gives good result. At the back of Chakrathazwar, we see Yoga Narashimar on serpant.
Sri Ramanujar was initated by Perriya Nambi, as mentioned in Pancharatra Sastra. Here in this temple Sri Ramanujar is seen in white dress.
The place is famous for a huge lake which would breach every year after the monsoon
rains, and farmers faced heavy loss. Collector Colonel Lionel tried to strengthen the lake boundaries, many a time but it was a failure. Once when English Collector, Colonel Lionel visited the temple, he was very much attracted by the temple built many decades ago. Temple authorities requested him to help them, with funds to construct a separate sanctum for Thayar.
Collector who was very much upset, by the collapse of tank’s waste weir, promised to build the shrine, if Goddess can stop the breach of tank during monsoon.
During the monsoon time when he camped at Maduranthangam, the tank was full to brim. In the night when he went to have a look at the Lake which was full, he saw Sri Rama and Lakshmana keeping guard of the tank. He felt happy and as assured he started the construction work of a separate sanctum for Goddess.
The Legend says in Bagularanyam, sage Vipandakar did penance and performed pooja to Lord Karunakaran. Sri Rama and Lakshmana stayed in this place for few days when they left for Vanavasam. Sri Rama promised to visit the place again on his return to Ayodhya. When he was returning by pushpaka Vimanam, he stopped and gave darshan to Vipandaka muni. Hence the place is known as Madhuranthakam.
There is a separate sanctum forAnjaneyar, near the Pushkarani which is opposite to the temple.
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