Bhadragiri

BHADRACHALAM is a famous temple dedicated to "Lord Sree Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple" and situated on the banks of the sacred river GODAVARI.

Paleolithic man probably roamed around the areas of lower Godavari valley and the surroundings of Bhadrachalam. Bhadrachalam town has a documented history of Lord Sri Rama temple constructed circa 17th Century CE (nearly 370 years ago)

Legend has it that the present town is situated in an area which once formed part of the DANDAKARANYA forest, and said to be visited by Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana during their exile (vanavasam). The forest in the vicinity of the temple was the site of Rama's retreat and it was at the Parnasala (32 km from Bhadrachalam) that he built a hut for himself and Sita and from where Sita was abducted by Ravana.

The history of this shrine stands for the significance of Ramayana Era, and vicinity of the temple had its incongruous add mixture of another story which depicts the exigency of "Sri Mahavishnu" to manifest himself as Rama long after Ramavatara was to fulfill his promise to his Bhakta Bhadra (a mountain king), a sage who had been continuing the frightened penance to get grace of Lord Rama. The name Bhadrachalam derived from Bhadragiri (Mountain of Bhadra - child of Meru and Menaka).

The temple at Bhadrachalam has the Archa Murthys of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana and are considered to be Swayambhu (self-manifested ones). Lord Sri Rama appeared in a dream to a woman called Pokala Dammakka and informed her about the existence of vigrahas on Bhadragiri hills. To her surprise she found the "Vigraha's" and put up a modest structure. Dhammakka, cleared jungle and offered puja to the deities - (source Wiki)