Bhadrachalam Temple, Hindu temple in Bhadrachalam, India.
Bhadrachalam Temple is a Hindu shrine in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, India, built along the Godavari River. A tall tower marks the entrance, through which visitors reach an inner courtyard leading to the main shrine with deity statues.
Kancherla Gopanna, the tehsildar of Bhadrachalam under Sultan Abul Hasan Qutb Shah (1672–1686), built or repaired the temple in the second half of the 17th century at a cost of nearly six lakh varahas, using tax revenue. Imprisoned for twelve years, he was released by Tana Shah before the Golconda Sultanate fell to Aurangzeb. Tumu Lakshmi Narasimha Dasu and Varada Ramadasu later continued the temple's rituals.
The shrine takes its name from Bhadra, a devotee of Rama who is said to have worshipped at this location. Pilgrims visit throughout the year to take part in rituals and pray before the deity images.
Travelers reach the shrine from Bhadrachalam Road railway station about 40 kilometers away, served by regular bus connections. Those wishing to experience the ceremonies should come early in the day when the halls are less crowded.
The songs Ramadasu wrote were not composed at the temple: he wrote them during the twelve years he spent in prison, and they are still sung here. The temple also keeps a small domed shrine at the foot of the tower, and the sanctum is held to sit at the heart of the devotee Bhadra, whose head and feet correspond to other parts of the complex.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,656 contributors worldwide.