Bhadrachalam Bhadradri | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates:17°40′01″N80°52′58″E / 17.666903835687577°N 80.88264531302039°E /17.666903835687577; 80.88264531302039 | |
| Country | |
| State | Telangana |
| District | Bhadradri Kothagudem district |
| Government | |
| • Body | Municipality |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.00 km2 (4.63 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 90 m (300 ft) |
| Population (2011)[2] | |
• Total | 50,087 |
| • Rank | 40th in Telangana |
| • Density | 7,121/km2 (18,440/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Telugu |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 507111 |
| Telephone code | 08743 |
| Vehicle registration | TG-28 |
| Sex ratio | 1:1♂/♀ |
| Distance from Kothagudem | 40 kilometres (25 mi) |
| Distance fromHyderabad | 325 kilometres (202 mi) |
| Website | telangana www |
Bhadrachalam is acensus town inBhadradri Kothagudem district in theIndian state ofTelangana.[3] It is an importantHindupilgrimage town with theBhadrachalam Temple ofRama, situated on the banks ofGodavari River. It is located 325 kilometres (202 mi) east of state capital,Hyderabad,115 kilometres (71 mi) fromKhammam,178 kilometres (111 mi) fromSuryapet,180 kilometres (112 mi) fromWarangal,187 kilometres (116 mi) fromVijayawada, 220 kilometres (137 mi) and 350 kilometres (217 mi) fromVisakhapatnam.

The town has aRama Temple constructedc. 17th century CE byKancherla Gopanna.[4]
The Bhadrachalam area also has several Hindu temples associated with the epicRamayana.[5]
Bhadrachalam is located at17°40′N80°53′E / 17.67°N 80.88°E /17.67; 80.88.[6] It has an average elevation of 50 metres (164 feet). The zero feet gauge level of Godavari River at Bhadracham is equal to +32.6 mmsl.
| Climate data for Bhadrachalam (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 37.1 (98.8) | 40.0 (104.0) | 42.8 (109.0) | 46.4 (115.5) | 48.6 (119.5) | 47.5 (117.5) | 40.8 (105.4) | 38.2 (100.8) | 39.2 (102.6) | 38.2 (100.8) | 36.0 (96.8) | 37.6 (99.7) | 48.6 (119.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30.7 (87.3) | 33.8 (92.8) | 37.1 (98.8) | 39.2 (102.6) | 41.1 (106.0) | 37.0 (98.6) | 32.7 (90.9) | 31.6 (88.9) | 32.7 (90.9) | 32.4 (90.3) | 31.2 (88.2) | 30.1 (86.2) | 34.3 (93.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 17.7 (63.9) | 20.0 (68.0) | 23.1 (73.6) | 25.7 (78.3) | 27.6 (81.7) | 26.6 (79.9) | 25.2 (77.4) | 24.6 (76.3) | 24.7 (76.5) | 23.5 (74.3) | 20.2 (68.4) | 17.0 (62.6) | 23.1 (73.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 8.4 (47.1) | 9.2 (48.6) | 10.6 (51.1) | 17.0 (62.6) | 18.6 (65.5) | 19.4 (66.9) | 20.0 (68.0) | 19.8 (67.6) | 19.5 (67.1) | 14.4 (57.9) | 10.0 (50.0) | 8.4 (47.1) | 8.4 (47.1) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 3.9 (0.15) | 5.3 (0.21) | 4.8 (0.19) | 34.1 (1.34) | 38.4 (1.51) | 127.5 (5.02) | 307.3 (12.10) | 325.0 (12.80) | 180.8 (7.12) | 74.9 (2.95) | 18.0 (0.71) | 9.2 (0.36) | 1,129.3 (44.46) |
| Average rainy days | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 6.9 | 14.1 | 13.4 | 7.9 | 4.4 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 53.6 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%)(at 17:30IST) | 55 | 46 | 44 | 44 | 40 | 56 | 73 | 77 | 77 | 73 | 65 | 61 | 59 |
| Source:India Meteorological Department[7] | |||||||||||||
As of 2001[update] Indiacensus,[8] Bhadrachalam had a population of 55,352. As of 2001,Males constitute 50% of the population andfemales 50%. Bhadrachalam has an averageliteracy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The "Bhadrachalam bridge" refers to one of two bridges over the Godavari River at Bhadrachalam, a significant Hindu pilgrimage town in Telangana, India, which connects Bhadrachalam to Kothagudem. The newer, high-level bridge opened in April 2024 to alleviate congestion from the original, over 50-year-old bridge.
Opened in April 2024. Constructed parallel to the older bridge to reduce traffic congestion.
Significance: A 2.3 km high-level bridge designed to handle traffic more efficiently.
History: Was over five decades old when the new bridge was built, with its foundation laid in December 1959. Importance of this bride is a vital road link connecting Bhadrachalam, the gateway to the tribal hinterland, with Kothagudem, the district headquarters and a coal hub.
Resilience: Despite its age, the old bridge is noted for its strong construction and has withstood many major floods without structural damage.
These bridges are located on National Highway 30, crossing the Godavari River. They serve as a critical link between the pilgrimage site of Bhadrachalam and the industrial and administrative center of Kothagudem.
TheTribal Museum in Bhadrachalam, located within the premises of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), is a cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of tribal communities in Telangana, India. Revamped under the leadership of ITDA Project OfficerB Rahul, the museum now features a dynamic “Living Culture Hub” and was officially inaugurated on the occasion ofSri Rama Navami.
The museum aims to celebrate the unique traditions, lifestyles, and wisdom of indigenous tribes such as theKoya,Nayakpod,Kondareddy, andLambada. According to Project Officer B Rahul, tribal culture offers valuable lessons in sustainability, community living, and health—particularly through its nutritious diet and holistic practices. The initiative was undertaken to preserve tribal customs passed down through generations and to educate the public about their enduring relevance.
The renovated museum was formally inaugurated byTelangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, who commended the ITDA's efforts to preserve tribal cultural heritage. During his visit, the Governor toured the museum and interacted with tribal artisans who showcased their handicrafts in the newly designed premises, which resemble a traditional tribal hamlet. The event was also attended byState Agriculture Minister T Nageswara Rao, along with several public representatives and senior officials, highlighting the museum's growing significance as a cultural landmark.
The museum has quickly become a popular destination fortourists,devotees visiting the Bhadradri Temple, andlocal families. Project Officer Rahul has taken steps to encourage pilgrims to include the museum in their itinerary, thereby deepening their cultural experience.
District CollectorJitesh V Patil and Superintendent of PoliceB Rahith Raju, who visited the museum, praised the initiative. They emphasized its potential to educate visitors about tribal traditions and provide a meaningful encounter with indigenous heritage.
The museum houses an extensive collection of tribal artifacts, including:
To enhance the visitor experience, the museum is organized intothemed rooms:
Each artifact is curated to reflect the lifestyle and traditions of the region's major tribal groups.
The renovated museum includes several interactive and recreational features:
Visitors can also enjoyauthentic tribal cuisine, prepared using traditional methods and ingredients known for their nutritional value. These culinary offerings are designed to introduce guests to the wholesome dietary practices of tribal communities.