Description:
Draksharamam is a shaivite shrine 185 km. from Vijayawada, 17 km. from Kakinada, 40 km. from Rajahmundry and 466 km. from Hyderabad. It is believed that sage Vyasa who performed penance here named this as Dakshina Kasi (Southern Benaras).
Legend has it that the Saptamaharishis (Seven Sages) to achieve the ends of their penance divided the akhanda (unbranched) Godavari River into seven different streams at Draskharama. Bharadhwaja, Viswamitra and Ramadan streams known as Antarvahinies, were believed to have gone under ground. There is Sapta Godavari Kundam (Seven river pond) near the temple where the devotees bathe. Sivarathri attracts huge crowds of pilgrims.
According to another local legend a king by name Kasha Prajapati performed a great yoga with the motive of insulting his son-in-law Lord Siva. The king invited everyone except his own son-in-law. Parvathi, though uninvited, attended the yagna and was illiterate. Unable to withstand the insult, she subjected herself to self-immolation. Thus this place is known as "Daksha Vatika" and later as Dakshramam or Draksharamam. There are a number of rock edicts (Sasanas) engraved on the walls of the temple. The temple art shows the influence of a blend of sculptural traditions of Chalukya and Chola styles. Famous Telugu poet Srinatha (4th century) is said to have written a Prabhanda Kavya 'Bhimakhanda' about this sacred place.
