Bhadrachalam
Discover Bhadrachalam
Bhadrachalam (Telugu: భద్రాచలం) is a major pilgrim town on the banks of the Godavari River in Telangana in Southern India. The main attraction is the temple of Sri Ram built by Kancharla Gopanna, popularly known as Bhakta Ramadas, in 1630 AD. Ramdas was then tax revenue collector (also called as Tahsildar). He collected money from people to build this temple and when the collections were not sufficient, used tax collections and consequently was jailed for 12 years by the king Tani Shah of Golconda (now Hyderabad). Moved by the plight of his devotee Sri Ram and his brother, Laxmana repaid the money owed to the king and got Ramadas released.
What to Experience in Bhadrachalam
Taste of Bhadrachalam...
Prasadam (food offered to the main deity of the temple) sold outside the main entrance can be a good breakfast as well – especially Laddu, Chakrapongali, Pulihora and Patikabellam (misri) are sold at nominal price right in the temple complex. For breakfast go to Veeranna Hotel near Amba satram to have delicious idly with spicy Ginger chutney. For lunch there is mess at Tata gudi centre to have delicious Telugu vegetarian food. Most restaurants are near bus station and offer the same food fare. Cuisine is South Indian ‘thali' and normal South Indian snacks like Idli, Vada, Poori and Dosa. Tea and coffee (always with milk) are served in small stainless steel tumblers – tend to be cloyingly sweet unless otherwise specified. Branded bottled water (also referred to as Mineral Water, which it isn't) of well known brands are available all over the town. It is considered to be a holy place. Drinking alcohol may not be a suggested activity here. Hotel "Sudarshan Residency" just opposite to the temple is also a good choice. A/c Double Occupancy costs at ₹1100/- and this hotel is well maintained. The advantage of this hotel is, it is just opposite to the temple and walkable to both temple and river Godavari. Bus station is on the main road where most hotels and restaurants are. Do check the room you are offered before you pay up.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBhadrachalam is connected by road and rail network. The nearest airports are located in Hyderabad and Vijayawada, both of which are International Airports by classification. From Hyderabad follow this route: Hyderabad – Suryapet – Khammam – Kothagudem– Palvancha - Bhadrachalam. Buses ply from Vijayawada and other major towns in Andhra Pradesh. The nearest railway station is Bhadrachalam Road (station code: BDCR), 40 km from the town. Locally, Bhadrachalam Road Railway Station is more commonly referred to as Kothagudem Railway Station. It takes approximately 50 minutes to travel from Kothagudem Railway Station to Bhadrachalam by bus and the fare is about ₹20. Bhadrachalam is: Machilipatnam/Manuguru express (Train No:17050/12752) at Secunderabad Station every day at 10:45PM. You should buy a ticket up to Kothagudem (Bhadrachalam Road). The train reaches Kothagudem at 4:45AM. From there you can take a bus to Bhadrachalam. There are lots of buses from just outside Kothagudem station....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Three wheeler taxis (called 'auto rickshaws') can be found everywhere, clogging the streets of Bhadrachalam. They don’t carry meters, so fares are to be bargained based on distance (or your perception of it). Fares to temple areas are ₹10-15 per person (August 2013). Never book an auto rickshaw in advance for trips to the temple as the Darshan (to see the deity) time may vary depending on demand and day of the week (Mondays, Tuesdays and weekends are busy). You can always find auto rickshaws once your Darshan is over. Prasadam (food offered to the main deity of the temple) sold outside the main entrance can be a good breakfast as well – especially Laddu, Chakrapongali, Pulihora and Patikabellam (misri) are sold at nominal price right in the temple complex. For breakfast go to Veeranna Hotel near Amba satram to have delicious idly with spicy Ginger chutney. For lunch there is mess at Tata gudi centre to have delicious Telugu vegetarian food.
Where to Stay
Hotel "Sudarshan Residency" just opposite to the temple is also a good choice. A/c Double Occupancy costs at ₹1100/- and this hotel is well maintained. The advantage of this hotel is, it is just opposite to the temple and walkable to both temple and river Godavari. Bus station is on the main road where most hotels and restaurants are. Do check the room you are offered before you pay up.
Money & Budget
Prasadam (food offered to the main deity of the temple) sold outside the main entrance can be a good breakfast as well – especially Laddu, Chakrapongali, Pulihora and Patikabellam (misri) are sold at nominal price right in the temple complex. For breakfast go to Veeranna Hotel near Amba satram to have delicious idly with spicy Ginger chutney. For lunch there is mess at Tata gudi centre to have delicious Telugu vegetarian food. Most restaurants are near bus station and offer the same food fare. Cuisine is South Indian ‘thali' and normal South Indian snacks like Idli, Vada, Poori and Dosa. Tea and coffee (always with milk) are served in small stainless steel tumblers – tend to be cloyingly sweet unless otherwise specified.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Bhadrachalam
a hut in a field with palm trees in the background
a lit up shrine in the middle of a forest
Nature
a hut in a field with palm trees in the background
a lit up shrine in the middle of a forest
Nature
a hut in a field with palm trees in the background
a lit up shrine in the middle of a forest
Nature
a hut in a field with palm trees in the background
a lit up shrine in the middle of a forest
Nature
a hut in a field with palm trees in the background