Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharamam,East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh

History
This ancient temple is said to have been built around the ninth century AD by king Bheema of Vengi Chalukyan Dynasty. Construction took place for several centuries. It is said that king Bheema had to wage an awful number of battles to save his kingdom from the rival Rastrakootas and it is exactly during this period that the king built the temple.

According to the temple inscriptions there are contributions made by the Chalukyas, Cholas, Kalingas, Reddys, Vijayanagar and can also be traced to the Sathavahanas. There are a lot of inscriptions on the temple walls giving an insight into those times. The inscriptions can be found in many languages based on the rulers over the centuries.
 
Legends
Many legends are associated with this temple. Popular legend has it that Daksha Prajapathi upon deciding to perform a Yajna visited the heaves to invite the gods to participate in the Yajna. When he reached Lord Siva, he found out that the Lord was in Meditation, but Daksha Prajapathi misunderstood the Lord’s spiritual activity as indifference and he being the Father –In –Law of the Lord let his ego take the better of him and left for earth without inviting Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvathi, in spite of being told about the troubles she has to face for going to the Yajna uninvited by the Lord, decided to pay a visit out of love for her parents and siblings. Goddess Parvathi was not treated with respect by her own kith and had to bear the cold receiving. The Goddess couldn’t bear the thought of facing her husband decided to give up her life and did so. The Lord,deeply saddened upon knowing this, sent his son "Veerbadhra" to take on Daksha Prajapathi, leading to the name Daksha Vatika which led to Draksharamam. It is said that the Lord Performed Pralaya Tandavam holding the Goddess on his shoulders. Lord Vishnu, in order to console Lord Shiva sent his Chakra, which cut the body into the eighteen parts that fell across the country. These Eighteen places are called Astha Dasa Peetas. Since the Goddess gave up her body here, no sacrificial rituals are to be performed here. Legend has it that Vyasa performed a penance here leading to the name Dakshina Kasi.
 
Another legend tells us of the story of the Saptha Maharshis or the seven sages. These sages have divided the holy river Godavari into seven tributaries at Draksharam and pilgrims can still find the Saptha Godavari Kundam near the temple signifying the legend.

References
The temple is considered very sacred and has been referred to many times in the ancient text of Skanda Purana. The famous poet Srinatha ( Srinatha Kavi Sarvabhowma) is said to have written the famous work "Prabhanda Kavya Bheemakanda"  signifying this place.
 
Places of Interest
The Kumararama Bheemeswara Swamy Temple at Samalkot, Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple at Annavaram and Thalupulamma Thalli Temple near Tuni are other places of religious significance in the region.
 
Accommodation
There are Devastaanam administered Cottages in addition to private accommodation in the nearby towns of kakinada and Rajahmundry.