Ramateertham is a panchayat village in Nellimarla Mandal of the Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located about 15 km from the city of Vizianagaram. The temple is located on the banks of the Champavathi river and next to the Neelachalam mountain with pleasant scenery and also attracts pilgrims. The temple is located near a lake, which is why it is called Theertham. It is a famous pilgrimage and also an ancient historical site from the 3rd century BC.
Bhagavan Sri Krishna politely declined the request of the Pandavas to be with them when they went to Aranyavasa and were blessed with the idols of Sri Sita-Rama-Lakshmana from their previous incarnation and commanded the Pandavas to worship idols as their own form.
It is one of the holiest places in India, Ramathirtham, it is a unique temple where three main religions are represented: Jain, Buddhist and Hindu. The complex is spread over three hills, Bodi Konda, Gurubhakta Konda, and Durga Konda, which contain both Jain and Buddhist relics. These hills are believed to have been the abode of Lord Rama during his exile in the forest. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is believed to have been consecrated by Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandava Princes of the epic Mahabharat.
History
At Dwaparayuga, when the Pandavas were roaming this region during their Aranyavasa, they asked Sri Krishna Paramatma to be with them. Bhagavan Sri Krishna politely declined their request and was blessed with the idols of Sri Sita Rama Lakshmana from his previous incarnation and ordered the Pandavas to worship idols as their own form.
During their Aranyavasa, the Pandavas regularly performed Archanas to the idols of Sri Sita Rama Lakshmana and when they moved to the other region, they entrusted these idols to Srivaikhanasa Vaishnava Swamy alias Vedagarba to continue performing Archana’s to these idols. Later, due to the growing influence of the Buddha in this region, and in fear that the followers of the Buddha might destroy these idols, the Vedagarba servant clan hid these idols underground and left the place. Later, during the 16th century, Sri Poosapati Sitharama Chandra Gajapathi Maharaja of the present Vizianagaram Maharaja dynasty built this fort in Kumbhilapuram (present-day Kummili village) and ruled his kingdom from there. People under his rule used to come to the forest area to cut wood and earn a living. Meanwhile, one day there was a strong storm with thunder and lightning that was very destructive.
While all the people around this place were running around in fear, a mute old woman among them, took refuge under the shade of a banyan tree and was praying to Lord Ramachandra, the lord appeared before her and wrote the beejakshara “Sri Rama” on her tongue. After which She immediately received her speech, prostrated herself before Lord Sri Rama Chandra and the Lord asked her to inform the king that the idols belonging to the Dwaparayuga are submerged in the water around this region and they must be taken out and build the temple. Having said this, Lord Sri Ramachandra disappeared.
From then on, the rain subsided and before the old woman could even inform the king, the king had a dream in which Lord Ramachandra told the king that the lady was mute from birth and now She has recovered the speech, so Therefore, everything that she advises must be carried out. . The king immediately ordered his guards to bring the old woman to the palace. Consequently, the guards brought the old woman to the king and the old woman narrated the whole event.
From then on, Sri Pusapati Seetharamachandra Maharaja came to this area together with his men and found the idols of Sri Sitharama Lakshmana under the water of the pond. On the auspicious day of Bheeshma Ekadasi, idols were established and enshrined in this Swethachalam, as Lord Rama found himself in Theertha (water), the temple was named as Ramatheertham. Near his palace on a hill called Neelachalam, one can find traces of Pandavas movements such as the head and cave of Bheemas, the resonating rocks, the fiery furnace, the places where the Pandavas stayed, the turmeric stones, the Seethammavari puritimancham can be found even today. Therefore, on this hill, a Sri Sitharama Lakshamana temple was also built and Archana etc. are performed even today.
Transport
By Road:
Sri Rama Swamy Temple is 15 KM away from Vizianagaram. APSRTC provides number of Buses to Nellimarla. Nellimarla to Ramatheertham Temple Nubmer of Autos
By Train:
The nearest Railway Station is Vizianagaram Station.all Express are standing in the Railway sation
By Air:
The nearest Airport is Visakhapatnam. Ramatheertham to Vizianagaram 15 Kilometers
list of all hindu temples in andhra pradesh
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Sreemath Khadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh
