5/5 Shivaranjan B. 4 months ago on Google
Situated
in
Draksharamam,
a
town
in
the
East
Godavari
district
of
Andhra
Pradesh,
the
Manikyamba
Devi
Temple
stands
as
a
revered
shrine
dedicated
to
Goddess
Parvati,
recognized
as
one
of
the
18
Shakti
Peethas
in
India.
Commonly
referred
to
as
Dakshina
Kashi,
translating
to
the
southern
Varanasi,
this
temple
holds
immense
significance
and
sanctity.
The
temple's
roots
intertwine
with
the
poignant
legend
of
Sati,
the
first
consort
of
Lord
Shiva,
who
met
her
tragic
end
by
self-immolation
during
her
father
Daksha's
yagna.
The
cosmic
dance
of
destruction
ensued
as
Shiva
carried
her
lifeless
form.
In
an
attempt
to
pacify
Shiva,
Lord
Vishnu
intervened,
severing
Sati's
body
into
18
pieces
with
his
discus.
The
left
cheek
found
its
resting
place
in
Draksharamam,
giving
rise
to
the
Manikyamba
Devi
temple.
Functioning
as
one
of
the
five
Pancharama
Kshetras,
the
temple
venerates
Lord
Shiva
as
Bhimeswara
Swamy.
The
colossal
crystal
linga,
standing
at
14
feet,
is
believed
to
have
been
shattered
by
Lord
Kartikeya
during
the
slaying
of
the
demon
Tarakasura.
The
temple,
adorned
with
majestic
architecture,
including
two
mandapas,
two
walls,
and
four
gopurams,
was
originally
constructed
by
the
Eastern
Chalukyas
in
the
9th
century
and
later
underwent
renovation
by
the
Ganga
dynasty
of
Odisha.
Drawing
devotees
nationwide,
the
temple
becomes
a
focal
point
of
spiritual
fervor
during
festivals
like
Maha
Shivaratri,
Navratri,
and
Karthika
Masam.