Bhadrachalam Trip (10/08-10/10)

Recently I visited Bhadrachalam the abode of Sri Vaikunta Rama. I started with my parents on 10/8/09 morning. The drive to Bhadrachalam is about seven to seven and half hours. The drive cannot be said as a good one as it is only one lane for each direction and lots of traffic until Suryapet. The driver has to be skillful while overtaking vehicles as one will find too many overtaking vehicles on both lanes of the road. One will not miss accidents, car crashes and wind shield pieces on and by the side of the road. You tend to slow down very frequently due to slow movement of the preceding heavy or not so heavy loaded cargo vehicles. I cannot not rate this road trip a fun. I bet a bus or train journey will be lot more safe, relaxing and fun.
On the way to Bhadrachalam, we passed through Palair reservoir. The reservoir is scenically set with small peaks, water and small islands scattered in water. I think recent rains have added some water to reservoir. We found fishermen catching fishes at the opened gates of the reservoir with fish nets. I saw fishermen with nets after a long time. As the highway is maintained by contractors, we paid toll. I could not grasp an iota of what they are really maintaining. We reached Bradrachalam in the evening and checked ourselves in one of the Devastanams’ rooms at Sri Rama Nivas for Rs. 350. There is toll if you are driving vehicle towards or close to temple. The air conditioned room was big enough for two. The room was not cleaned before and found a Jurassic park of insects. We got it cleaned eventually.
We refreshed and visited temple. There are about 40-50 steps to reach top. We found beggars for alms at every step of the temple. I am no joking. The beggars occupied on both sides of the steps, so devotees have less respite. The car drive for hours and beggars cacophonous made a dip in my concentration for god.
The first temple we visited on top was of Anjaneya Swamy. The five foot statue of Hanuman made me to feel that I am in a place of great significance. The recent floods in Krishna River have deterred many to visit the temple so the usual rush of devotees was missing. I entered temple premises that Bhakta Ramdass built by siphoning treasury money from last Golkonda ruler Tanisha. I entered temple with no difficulty. At last I saw the idols that I saw only in photos until then. Lord Rama here has four hands with Shanku, Chakra, Bow and Arrow in sitting posture. His consort Godess Sita condescended in his left lap and His brother Lakhsmana on left in standing posture. Interestingly Lord Rama and Lakshmana idols are of same height. Lord Rama and Sita are covered with gold whereas Lakshmana armor that covers his chest is of silver. There is no Vayuputra Hanumantha nearby idols. I had the darshanam and waited outside for Pavalimpu seva. This seva is to put the Lord with His consort to sleep. I saw this seva for any idol for the very first time. I found all the devotees with folded hands with respect and glaring at seva. The seva concluded around 9:30 p.m and doors of the temple were closed. It was night so I had no opportunity to observe the temple premises. I decided to do it the next day.
The next day morning, I took a holy bath in Godavari and visited the main temple. I also had a darshanam of the god and visited Lakshmi Tayaru, Bhadra Maharshi and Andal temples to list few in main temple premises. The main temple along with others is not a big one but the grandeur of the temple construction is beyond words. I went around the temple premises and found important scenes of Ramayana were pictorially sculptured at the base of the main temple walls. Above these there are statues in singing and playing music and also statues in reverence postures. To summarize the temple structure, it is Ramayana sung with devotion. All the credit goes to Bhakta Ramdass. His statue is left to the main temple entrance when you enter. Bhadra was the sage who did penance for Lord Rama and He appeared to him as Vykunta Rama.
I visited a museum in the temple premises which displays the ornaments that Bhakta Ramdass made for Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Bharatha. It also hosts the main idol sham that was destroyed by Ibrahim Dhamsa. We had whole evening to spend so we visited Parnasala where Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana stayed during their vanavasam. Took some pictures of Godavari and headed back to Bhadrachalam. The next day we started in the morning and reached Hyderabad.