Drakshavati Sthitashaktih vikhyata Manikyambika /
varada shubhadadevi bhaktamoksha pradayini //
Draksharamam is an important Maha Shakthi Peetha here Shakthi is worshipped as Manikyamba Devi, and it is believed that Sati’s left cheek has fallen here after the Daksha Yagna. This place is also known as Dakshina Kashi along with Srisailam and Kaleeswara or Kalahasti which constitute the three sacred Shiva Lingas of Andhra Pradesh. And Lord Shiva as Bheemeshwara, Draksharamam is one of the five Pancharamams, (sacred places of Lord Shiva) the other four being Amararamam, Ksheeraramam, Somaramam and Bhimaramam.
About the Temple
Bhimeswara swamy temple is huge and has many Prakaras. Manikyamaba devi temple is present in inner circle (prakara) of Lord Bhimeswara swamy temple. It is present in North East Corner of the campus. There is a Srichakra below Manikyamaba mata idol. Manikyamaba devi will see left side, suggesting us she was worshiped previously in Vama marga (Left route). Sun god and Saptarshis worshiped Lord Bhimeswara swamy and Manikyamba devi here.
Sthala Purana
The demon, Tarakasura performed immense penance and received the Atma lingam as a boon from Lord Shiva. With the blessings of Lord Shiva, Tarakasura committed atrocities against the Devas. The Devas, pleaded with Parvati Devi to put an end to Tarakasura. Parvati Devi killed Tarakasura through her son, Lord Shanmukha or Lord Subramanya. Lord Shiva instructed Shanmukha to destroy the atma linga in Tarakasura’s neck and then kill the demon. The atma lingam broke into five pieces when it was destroyed. These five pieces fell at five places known as Pancharamam. The first Pancharamam is Amareshwara, at Amaravathi which is installed by Lord Indra, the second is Someshwara at Bheemavaram installed by Lord Chandra, the third is Ksheera Ramalingam at Palakollu installed by Lord Rama, the fourth is Kumara Rama Bheemeshwara in Samalakota installed by Lord Shanmukha and the fifth being Draksharamam. The Saptarishis requested River Godavari to come over to Draksharamam to purify the piece of Atma lingam fallen at Draksharamam. But Godavari responded late, thus Lord Shiva emerged himself in Draksharamam. Thus Lord Bheemeshwara is considered as a Swayambu at Draksharamam.
According to one puranic reference, Saptamaharishis (seven sages) divided the Godavari River into seven streams at Draksharamam. Bhardwaja, Viswamitra and Jamadagni streams are known as Antarvahinis, as they have gone underground. These streams later merged into one and are known as Sapta Godavari Kundam (pond) near the temple where devotees take bath.
Legends
There are three stories related to Manikyamba devi. First one is, A Brahmin widow made a golden idol to remember her ďied daughter,but after some time, the idol started talking and the widow decorated it with Manikyas(gems), hence the name Manikyamba or Manikyeswari. Later when Bhimadeva, a new king to Bhimavaram has started worshipping her as “Kula devata”
According to another story, Manikyamba name comes from a word Mainakamba, which means she was the daughter of Menaka devi, wife of Himavanta. Gradually the word Manikamba turned as Manikyamba in time period.
There is yet another important story regarding Manikyamaba devi. Manikyamba devi is a daughter of a prostitute. One day she saw Lord Bhimeswara in her dream, and decided that she will marry Lord Bhimeswara only. She showed great devotion towards Lord Shiva, and finally got Lord Bhimeswara swamy as her husband. A great Poet Srinatha, belonging to 14th century also mentioned this story in his great work, Bhimakhanadam. From then on Manikyamba devi was worshiped as Mother goddess. Manikyamba devi also considered as Kula devata of vesyas.
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On every Ekadasi day Lord Bhimeswaraswamy and Manikyamba devi ekanta seva will be performed. Eight slokas will be sung by priests regarding Manikyamba devi and Bhimeswaraswamy and their romantic love story .Fridays also important days to worship Manikyamba devi. Kumkumarchana will be done in Fridays.
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