For a change let me take you to place which is rich in scenic beauty and a history that dates back to lakhs of years back. Yes am talking about the time when Lord Rama was sent to exile and Sita was abducted by Ravan. You must have studied this epic in books and seen pictures in local temples but ever wondered if that place really existed on Earth when that fateful thing happened that created this epic. This place is called Bhadrachalam, situated in Andhra Pradesh in India. One can get here by road its an over night drive from Hyderabad, capital of Andhra, or take a boat from Rajahmundry and reach Bhadrachalam exploring the depths of Godavari River watching it snake through the hills.
A famous temple sits atop the hill called Bhadradri. The beauty of this temple is that one can see Sita sitting in the lap of Rama symbolizing love and affection they had towards each other, and Lakshmana the obedient brother of Rama standing next to him. The temple has been constructed in the 17th century. Lord Rama came in the dream of an old women and told her about the existence of the idols on Bhadradri. A courtier in the kingdom of Nizam the then ruler of Hyderabad, Tasildar Kancharla Gopanna also known as Ramdas diverted the funds from the king’s treasury to the building of the temple.
The footprints of Lord Rama are said to be imprinted on a rock on the hilltop.
A little away from the town Bhadrachalam there is a place called “Parnasala”. During Rama’s exile in the forest it is said that they have stayed in this part for a couple of months. The exact place where they laid the ashram, Sita saw the golden deer and Ravan abducted Sita can be seen here. These places are worshipped for the holy foot of Lord Rama have touched the soil here. A local guide will show us each of these places which were once forests.
So for a refreshing pilgrimage and to get a glimpse of the past, this is an ideal location.