Draksharamam (Andhra Pradesh)

Place : Draksharamam (Andhra Pradesh)
Part of the Body Fallen : Left cheek
Name of Shakti : Manikyamba Devi
Description :
Devatas and Asuras (Rakshasas) stirr the sea to get nectar (Amrit). After getting the Amrit, Devatas meet Lord Vishnu to avoid distributing the nectar to Asuras as it may lead to problems. Lord Vishnu takes the birth as Mohini and distributes Amruth only to Devtas. Asuras get angry and worship Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva gets satisfied by their worship and blesses Asuras with lot of powers.

With these powers Asuras start torturing people and Devtas. Again Devtas worship Lord Shiva to avoid this. Lord Shiva gets angry and starts punishing Asuras. During this war, a Shivalingam worshipped by Thripurasura (Tripurasura) remains un damaged even though all Asuras die. Lord Shiva (Mahadeva) makes this Lingam into five pieces and makes this installed in five different places. These five places (Prathishtapana) are now famous as Pancharama.

The second story begins from Hiranya Kashipu and his son Simuchi. The son of Simuchi, Tharakasura worships Lord Shiva and gets his Atma Linga. Then, Tharakasura starts troubling people and Devatas. As per blessings, Tharakasura dies only by a boy. Devatas go to Lord Shiva to find solution for finding a solution to punish Tharakasura. Lord Kumara Swamy Avtar thus happens and and boy kills Tharakasura. After when Tharakasura dies, the Athmalinga gets divided into five. Each one gets installed by Devatas in five different places. These places are called Pancharama Kshetras.

About the Temple:

Location: 3-152 ANDHRA BANK STREET, Chandra St, Draksharamam, Andhra Pradesh 533262
Country: India
Nearest Airport: Rajahmundry(RJA)
Built-In: 9th century AD.
Built-By: Chalukya
Deity: Manikyamba Devi (Parvati Devi)
Architectural Styles:Chalukya and Chola style of architecture.
Festivals: Masa Shivaratri Maha Shivaratri
Temple Timings: 5:00 AM to 12:00,3:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: February to march