| Known as Dakshina Kasi (Southern Banares), Draksharamam is regarded as one of the holiest of Siva temples and is considered highly sacred, next only to Banares. Located in the Godavari district, the temple is easily accessible from Kakinada and Rajahmundry and is one of the most important Saiva Aramas. There are four entrances to the temple, each facing the four cardinal directions. A beautiful Gopuram adorns every entrance. On the upper storey, there is a pillared Pradakshina on three sides and a narrow Antrala. A Linga rises from the sanctum sanctorum. A narrow Mandapam and the Mukha are other features of the shrine. Mythological figures are intricately carved on the walls and the pillars. The beautiful temple art is an amalgam of both the Chalukya and Chola styles. The origins of Draksharamam have several legends associated with it. It is believed that sage Vyasa performed penance here and gave it the name Dakshina Kasi. Another legend believes that the Saptha Maharshis (seven sages) divided the akhanda (undivided) Godavari into seven streams at Draksharamam to achieve the ends of their penance. Devotees take a ritual bath at the Saptha Godavari Kundam (seven river pond) near the temple. The Bharadwaja, Jamagagni and Viswamithra streams are known as Antharwahinis as they have gone underground. According to another legend, Lord Siva's father-in-law, King Daksha Prajapathi, performed a great yaga here. Sati attended the yaga uninvited and immolated herself when ill-treated. The place thus got the name Daksha Vatika that later became Daksharamam and Draksharamam. You can see a number of rock edicts (sasanas) engraved on the temple walls. The festival of Sivarathri attracts huge crowds of pilgrims. The Bhimeswara temple at Draksharamam is beautiful and also well worth a visit. Bhimeswara is enshrined in the form of a ten feet high Shivalingam in its sanctum sanctorum. Shiva's consort here is Manikyamba. The temple walls and pillars are decoratively carved with mythological figures. | 
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