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	DRAKSHARAMAM - BIMESWARA SWAMI

About the Temple Sthalapuranam

Sthalapuranam :

legend says that Dakshaprajapathi has performed the Dakshayagnya here. Sati, wife of Shiva who has attended the ceremony uninvited, was insulted by the king, her father and has immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. Hence the place got the name, "Dakshavatika" that later changed to "Draksharama" and "Draksharama". This is also said to be the reason for not performing any yagnyas here till date.

The place is said to have renowned as "Dakshina Kasi" because it was considered sacred by sage Vyasa for his penance. It is also said that the Saptamaharshis, for achieving the ends of their penance have divided the Akhanda Gautami (the undivided River Godavari), brought by Gauthama Maharshi, into seven streams here at Draksharama. This is seen at the "Saptha Godavari Kundam" near the temple, where the devotees take a sacred bath. Of the seven streams, known after the sages, Bharadwaja, Jamadagni and Viswamitra streams flow underground and thus are referred to as the Antharvahinis.

It is said that Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva has killed the demon Tarakasura, on the request of the gods. The Shivalinga in the throat of this ardent devotee of Shiva, Tarakasura, is said to have fell in five different places that became the "Panchaarama Kshetras". They are Draksharama, Komararama, Ksheerarama, Bheemarama and Amararama. It is also said that the linga here was later installed by Vedavyasa.

Another legend says that the three demons Taarakaaksha, Kamalaaksha and Vidyunmaali, who were the children of Tarakasura, have obtained the boon of death by the arrow that could set afire their three cities at once. Finally after the Tripura Samharam, when they were killed by Lord Shiva, all that is said to remain was the Panchaarama lingas.

Famous Telugu poet Srinatha is said to have written Prabandha Kavya Bhimakhanda about this sacred place.