Manikyamba Draksharamam
माणिक्यांबा देवी — द्राक्षाराम, आन्ध्र प्रदेश
One of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas — Manikyamba, enshrined within the ancient Bhimeswara temple of Draksharama, among the sacred Pancharama Kshetras of coastal Andhra.
Manikyamba of Draksharama माणिक्यांबा
At Draksharama — the “Dakshavatika” of tradition, linked to the very yajna of Daksha — the Mother abides as Manikyamba within the towering Bhimeswara Swamy temple. Adi Shankara's Ashtadasha stotram names her: “Manikya Dakshavatike.” Here Shakti and her Bhairava, the great Bhimeswara, are worshipped in one hallowed complex.
A Pancharama Kshetra
Draksharama is one of the five sacred Rama-lingams (Pancharama) of Andhra, said to have arisen from a single Shiva lingam divided among the five sites — a Shaiva glory joined here to the Shakta.
Manikyamba within Bhimeswara
The Devi is enshrined in the south-east corner of the vast two-storeyed Bhimeswara temple; darshan of the Mother and her Lord is taken together in one great kshetra.
The seat of the eighteen कथा
In the Shakti Peeth tradition a part of Sati is honoured at Draksharama, where the Mother took her seat as Manikyamba. The site's name recalls Daksha himself, and Adi Shankaracharya enshrined her among the eighteen supreme Peethas.
So great is the kshetra that the pilgrim worships here both the Jyoti of Shakti and the ancient Bhimeswara lingam, revered since the age of the Chalukyas who raised the great temple.
ओढ्यायां गिरिजादेवी माणिक्या दक्षवाटके॥
oḍhyāyāṁ girijā-devī māṇikyā dakṣa-vāṭake ॥
Seva at the sanctum पूजा
Manikyamba is served within the Bhimeswara temple's daily rituals; timings shift a little with the season and festivals — confirm locally.
| Seva / Aarti | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Suprabhata & Mangala | Early morning |
| Nitya puja & abhisheka | Morning |
| Alankara & bhog | Midday |
| Sandhya Aarti | Evening |
Offerings
Kumkum, flowers, coconut and sweets to Manikyamba; bilva, abhishekam and the sacred jala to Bhimeswara.
Shakti with Shiva
Take darshan of Manikyamba and Bhimeswara together — the Mother and her Lord within one of the five Pancharama kshetras.
Festivals पर्व
Navaratri
The Mother's nine nights — the peak season at Draksharama.
Mahashivaratri
The great night at the Bhimeswara temple, drawing vast crowds.
Chaitra Navaratri & Kalyanam
The spring nine-nights and the celestial wedding festival.
Yatra guide यात्रा
✈️ By Air
Rajahmundry airport is ~50 km; Visakhapatnam is a larger option.
🚉 By Train
Draksharama is reached via Kakinada or Samalkot Junction; both are well connected.
🚗 By Road
In East Godavari district, near Kakinada; easily reached from Rajahmundry.
🗓️ Best time
Navaratri, Shivaratri and the cooler months (Nov–Feb).
🛕 Combine with
The other Pancharama kshetras — Amararama, Somarama, Ksheerarama and Kumararama.