Draksharamam Temple, Ramachandra Puram Mandal, East Godavari. Manikyamba Temple Draksharamam is one of the Astadasa Sakthi Peethas in India. It is one of the Pancharama Temple.
Sri Manikyamba Draksharamam Temple Legend
As per the legends, Prajapati Daksha’s daughters married the devas, but the youngest daughter, Sati had chosen to marry Lord Siva against her father’s wish. Daksha was not keeping good relation with his son-in-law Lord Siva. Daksha to insult Lord Siva decided to perform big Yagna, for which he invited all the gods and goddesses, except Lord Shiva, to partake their offerings.
When Sati on knowing this Yagna, decided to visit her maternal house, though she was not invited. Sati who was offended by the scoldings of her father immolated herself in the fire of Yogagni generated by her. Angered by this, Siva ordered Veerabhadra to destroy Daksha Yagna. Veerabhadra along with Kali and other Siva Ganas destroyed to Yajna and killed Daksha. Goddess here called by Manikyamba.
Lord Siva after collecting Sati’s body, danced the dance of destruction ‘Pralaya Thandavam’. To stop this destruction, Vishnu sent his disc (Sudarshana Chakra) to break the corpse of Sati body into pieces. The disc broke the corpse into 18 pieces, which fell across the Indian subcontinent. These 18 places were called by Sakthi Peethas. Draksharamam is the place where Left cheek from Sati’s body fallen here.
It is believed to be the place where Daksha performed the Yajna and Sati immolated herself in Yogagni.
Manikyamba Draksharamam Temple History
Inscriptions date back to Chalukya King Bhima during 9th- 10th Century A.D. Later this region was ruled by Chola and Kalinga rules.
How to reach Draksharamam Temple?
- Temple is 30 Km from Kakinada Railway station
- Temple is 50 km from Rajahmundry
- Temple is 25 km away from Amalapuram
- The nearest airport is at Visakhapatnam which is 185 km away.
- Nearest Railway station is at Kakinada