Bhadrachalam Parnasala:
Parnasala is a Village situated in the Dummugudem mandal in the Khammam district of Telangana, India. The village is accessible by road and boats and is situated 32 km from the temple town of Bhadrachalam.
According to legend, it is said the “Lord Sri Rama ” spent some of the 14 years of exile at this location. The locals believe that Sita, the beloved consort of “Lord Sri Rama” bathed in the stream here and dried her clothes on “Radhagutta” where the imprints are seen even today. The demon king “Ravana” parked his Pushpaka on the hillock on the opposite side of the river and abducted her. An earthen ditch reportedly caused when Ravana removed earth to carry off Sita to Lanka can be seen here. Another Hindu myth names Parnashala as the location where Rama killed Maricha, who came in disguise of a golden deer to deceive Sita.
Parnasala is a significant mythological sightseeing destination of Bhadrachalam. It is also one of the popular villages of Andhra Pradesh known for its ancient tales and beliefs. This village is famous as the place where Lord Rama stayed with his wife and brother during his 14 year exile.
The village has River Godavari flowing at the foot of its elevated land. At this place, there is also a Lord Rama temple. A small hut and foot prints are also seen around the village depicting the traces of incidents of ancient times, when Rama stayed here and his wife Sita was kidnapped by Ravana. There are also hoof marks of the popular golden deer of this mythology along with the wheel marks of the chariot on which Devi Sita was carried away by Ravana. The place which witnessed the sad mood of Lord Rama after this incident is known as Soka Rama.
Bhadrachalam Jataayu Paaka / Yetapaka:
This place is situated from 2 km away from Bhadrachalam. According to Itihasas, the bird Jatayuvu, a devotee of Rama had obstructed Ravana while he was proceeding on the chariot after kidnapping Sita. After the fearful battle between Ravana and Jataayuvu, the injured bird had waited at this place for Rama’s arrival. A wing of this bird fell at Rekkapalli, about 55 km from here, in V.R. Puram Mandal.
Bhadrachalam Dummugudem:
Dummagudem or Dummugudem is a subdivision in the Khammam district, India. Dummugudem, which is also the name of the subdivision headquarters, is 25 km from Bhadrachalam. According to Hindu mythology, in Treatayuga, Rama killed 14000 demons headed by the brothers Khara and Dushana. The village was said to be built upon the ashes of these demons. The subdivision is named after Dummugudem (In Telugu ‘Dummu’ means dust or ash). Here Rama is called the Atmarama. It has 80 Villages under it. On 30 November 1959, Dummagudem was carved out of East Godavari District and combined with the newly created district of Khammam.
Dummugudem Barrage
Dummugudem barrage across the Godavari River was constructed nearly 150 years back by the famous British India engineer Sir Arthur Cotton who also constructed Dowleswaram and Prakasam barrages.[3] Somehow this barrage / weir is not well known among Andhra Pradesh people. The purpose of this weir was not for diverting the river water into canals but to use as cross over bridge during lean flow season. This weir has lost its relevance after construction of all weather road bridge near Bhadhrachalam town to cross the river. A 25 MW hydroelectric station is under construction to utilise the level drop available across the Dummugudem weir.
A major lift irrigation project called Dummugudem Lift Irrigation Scheme is under development drawing water from the barrage pond. Dummugudem to Nagarjunasagar Dam tail pond lift canal is also under construction to transfer surplus Godavari river water to Krishna river.
Bhadrachalam Gundala:
Gundala is a sub division that comes under the Khammam District in Andhra Pradesh. The place is located about 5 km from the holy town of Bhadrachalam and is at a distance of 258 km from Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. This picturesque village holds religious importance for the Hindus because it is believed that the three main gods of the Hindus, Lord Brahma (creator of the universe), Lord Vishnu (who sustains the universe) and Lord Shiva (the destroyer of the universe) would take dips in the hot water springs located at the village during the months of cold winter. As a result, the hot water springs are a must visit for the devotees of Hinduism.
Taking a dip in the waters of the spring is known to cure one of many illnesses as well as pave the way for moksha or salvation. The banks of river Godavari have hot water springs in abundance that draws millions of pilgrims from all over the country.
Bhadrachalam Sree Rama Giri:
Sri Rama Giri in VR Puram mandal is situated on the bank in the down stream of the river Godavari (about 55 Kms from Bhadrachalam). The deity Yogarama temple is on a hill place and the place is named after Sri Rama Giri.
Brief History: According to mythological story, an ardant devotee, Sabari, gave shelter to Sri Sita Rama Laxmanulu while they were on the way in Dhandakaranya during Vanavaasa period and offered fruits to Rama after tasting them out of affection towards Rama. Bhakta Sabari who had spent her old age by chanting Rama nama in Dhandakaranya attained salvation after having Darshan of Rama whom she loved fervently and later dissolved as a rivulet which merged into the holy river Godavari near Kunavaram.
Bhadrachalam Sabari:
Sabari in Bhadrachalam is the place where River Sabari joins River Godavari. The place also has mythological significance as a woman named Dhammakka used to live here that used to have dreams in which Lord Rama appeared and told her about the existence of a Rama idol in the hillock of Bhadrachalam.
During his search for Devi Sita, Lord Rama visited this woman in the same place. He also ate her offerings and granted her salvation in this place itself. After this the woman took the form of a river and git emerged in River Godavari.
Bhadrachalam Papikondalu Hills:
Papikondalu Hills a steam boat ride on River Godavari enjoying views of the River and setting sun. Available as a package of one day including 5 to 7 hours of boat ride. Diesel-powered boats start from Sriramagiri, about 60 km from Bhadrachalam. They offer breakfast, tea, lunch and evening snacks on the boat itself, except lunch where they make special arrangements on the way to papikondalu on the shores of Godavari. The taste & hygiene of the food is good. On the way you can also see the perantallapally, a temple of lord shiva ,where you can find a small water fall coming from the thick forests. A sage used to meditate in this forest. You should maintain utmost silence in the temple. You should not offer any thing (like donations etc). The environment is peaceful. If you have the time, you can do meditation here. On the way you can also visit Sriramagiri temple (58 km. from Bhadrachalam). It is always better to take water, fruit and food with you on the steam boat ride. You have to be cautious before planning trip to Papikondalu during summer as the water levels in River Godavari may cancel the boat trips.
Papikondalu Boat Trips, Near Bhadrachalam Temple, ☎ 9440082627. Visiting Papikondalu is a good outing in AC & Non AC Boats. Get the latest information about boats movement and weather etc.
