Photo 1 / 4Gopuram and stone wall. Photo: Kavurisgs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Draksharamam Bhimeswara Temple
About the Temple
Draksharamam is one of the five Pancharama temples of Shiva and is also counted among the 18 Shakti Peethas through its goddess Manikyamba. The fort-like, two-storeyed temple has two enclosures with carved gateways on all four sides, and the linga of Bhimeswara is about 2.6 m tall. It lies near Ramachandrapuram, about 28 km from Kakinada, and is run by the AP Endowments department.
Why visit
- Worship at a Pancharama temple that is also a Shakti Peetha.
- See the two-storeyed shrine and the Sapta Godavari pond used for temple rituals.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Official source, checked 22 Oct 2026 · Source
Mahanivedana is listed at about 12:00 to 12:30; the About tab gives 05:30 to 21:00. See festivals; hours may change on festival days.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
1 hour to 2 hours inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
No dress rule for this temple was confirmed. Traditional, modest clothing is the safe choice; ask at the entrance.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Phones
A current rule on phones inside the temple was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Access
The AP Endowments portal describes a two-storeyed, fort-like building. Step counts and any step-free route were not confirmed, so ask locally if anyone in your group has limited mobility.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- Pancharama and Shakti Peetha
The goddess Manikyamba is counted as the twelfth of the 18 Shakti Peethas, where devotees believe Sati's left cheek fell.
- Fort-like two-storeyed temple
The temple has an outer and an inner enclosure, with carved gateway towers on all four sides of the outer one.
- A 2.6 m linga
The portal describes the Bhimeswara linga as about 2.6 m tall and says early sunlight falls on it.
- Sapta Godavari Kundam
Water from this pond, linked by legend to seven streams of the Godavari, is used in temple worship.
Sources: tms.ap.gov.in · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Draksharamam Bhimeswara Temple
- By air: Rajahmundry Airport (RJA) · about 44 km
- By train: Kakinada Town (CCT) · about 27 km
- By road: Draksharamam is 6 km from Ramachandrapuram, with state buses from Kakinada and Ramachandrapuram. The district site gives about 28 km from Kakinada, 50 km from Rajahmundry and 25 km from Amalapuram.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, tms.ap.gov.in · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Kumararama, SamalkotAnother Pancharama temple, built in the same style.30 km away
- Kukkuteswara Temple, PithapuramShiva temple in the town of Pithapuram.40 km away
- Ksheerarama, PalakolluAnother Pancharama temple, with a nine-storey gopuram.47 km away
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Is there a dress code at Draksharamam Bhimeswara Temple?
No dress rule for this temple was confirmed. Traditional, modest clothing is the safe choice; ask at the entrance.
Can I take my phone inside Draksharamam Bhimeswara Temple?
A current rule on phones inside the temple was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
What are the Draksharamam temple timings?
The AP Endowments portal lists darshan from 06:00 to 20:00, with a short midday offering at about 12:00. Its About page gives 05:30 to 21:00, so confirm locally.
Is Draksharamam a Shakti Peetha?
Yes. The goddess Manikyamba here is counted as the twelfth of the 18 Shakti Peethas; devotees believe Sati's left cheek fell at this spot.
How far is Draksharamam from Kakinada and Rajahmundry?
The district site gives about 28 km from Kakinada, 50 km from Rajahmundry and 25 km from Amalapuram.
Which Pancharama is closest to Draksharamam?
Kumararama at Samalkot, about 30 km away in a straight line. Road distance is longer.