| Draksharamam | |
|---|---|
 Bhimeswara Swamy temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Konaseema |
| Deity | Shiva |
| Festivals | Maha Shivaratri,Kartik Purnima |
| Location | |
| Location | Draksharamam |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Country | India |
.svg)  Location in Andhra Pradesh | |
| Geographic coordinates | 16°47′31″N82°03′48″E / 16.792°N 82.0633°E /16.792; 82.0633 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
| Specifications | |
| Temple(s) | 1 |
| Inscriptions | Telugu |
| Elevation | 31.4 m (103 ft) |
Draksharamam orDaksharamam is one of the fivePancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu godShiva and also 12th of Ashtadasha Shakthi Peetams. The temple is located inDraksharamam town ofKonaseema district in the Indian state ofAndhra Pradesh. The poetMallikarjuna Panditaradhyudu who wrote first independent work inTelugu and who spreadLingayatism in Andhra region during medieval ages was born in this town.[1][2]
The town was formerly known asDaṣkatapovana andDaṣkavāṭika.[3] This is the place whereDaksha head of all prajapatis did ayagna calledNirīśvara yāga orNirīśvara yajña. This place's present name is a compound ofDaṣka andĀrāma which means "Abode ofDaksha". This place was also referred to asDaṣkavāṭika by JagadguruAdi Shankara inmaha shakti peetha sloka atMāṇikye Dakṣa vāṭika which points to "Maanikyamba devi of Draksharama". The place where Daksha performedNirīśvara yajña is still visited by pilgrims here.
Inscriptions in the temple reveal that it was built between the 9th and 10th centuries CE by the Eastern Chalukyan king, Bhima. The big Mandapam of the temple was built by Ganga Mahadevi, daughter-in-law ofEastern Ganga Dynasty kingNarasingha Deva I ofOdisha.[4] Architecturally and sculpturally, the temple reflects a blend of Chalukyan and Chola styles.[5]
The temple is historically prominent. It was built byEastern Chalukyas who reigned over this area. It's believed to have been constructed earlier to the Bhimeswaraswamy temple inSamarlakota that was built between 892 C.E. and 922 C.E.
Maha Shivaratri andDasara are the main festivals associated with Draksharamam
