Bhadrachalam

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Bhadrachalam
Bhadrachalam
Time zone: IST (UTC+5:30)
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District(s)	Khammam
Population • Density	55,352 (2008[update]) • 7,121 /km2 (18,443 /sq mi)
Area • Elevation (AMSL)	7.5 km² (3 sq mi) • 50 m (164 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 5071xx • Telephone • +8743 • Vehicle • ap20

Coordinates: 17°40′N 80°53′E / 17.67, 80.88 Bhadrachalam is a census town in Khammam district which falls in the Telangana region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Bhadrachalam Temple, the Lord Rama temple, is a site of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is situated on the bank of the river Godavari (southern Ganges).

This town of pilgrimage is connected to other major towns by rail and by road. Bhadrachalam is about 120 km from district head quarters Khammam and 320 km from Hyderabad.Nearest Railway station is at 40Km Bhadrachalam road( Kothagudem ). To long distances like Chennai, Howrah, New Delhi, Mumbai khammam is the favorite Railway station.Its name is derived from Bhadragiri (Mountain of Bhadra).

This shrine was built by a devotee of Lord Rama, Kancherla Gopanna popularly known as Bhakta Ramadasu in the 17th century (1630 A. D.). Gopanna was the Tasildar of Bhadrachalam (in the second half of the 17th century) is said to have utilized money from the government treasury to build this temple, and was imprisoned in a dungeon at Golconda. Lord Rama is said to have miraculously given the Sultan the money spent by Gopanna, after which he was released. Gopanna then became Bhadrachala Ramadasa, and went on to compose innumerable number of songs in Telugu in praise of Rama.

For more information on Bhadrachalam, visit www.bhadrachalarama.org

[edit] Geography

Bhadrachalam is located at 17°40′N 80°53′E / 17.67, 80.88^[1]. It has an average elevation of 50 metres (164 feet).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census^[2], Bhadrachalam had a population of 42,829. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Bhadrachalam has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 54% of the males and 46% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Location

Bhadrachalam is located in Khammam District, Andhra Pradesh at a distance of over 309 km slightly northeast of Hyderabad. A famous pilgrimage shrine, the abode of Lord Rama, situated at the bank of holy river Godavari, and also the home of ITC PSPD which is one of the premier paper manufacturers in the world, while retaining the charm of a rural Indian town. Combining high technology and modern facilities with stable employment, and retaining the religious and holy nature of the age-old practices makes Bhadrachalam a great place to visit.

Today devotes of Lord Rama can still be a part of the services performed from the time of the construction of the temple, and visit the beautiful surroundings of Bhadrachalam. Also, not forgetting the modern infrastructure built by ITC and the modern techniques and life of the people who work for the paper manufacturer.

[edit] Education Institutions

1. Bharthi Vidya NiKetan
2. Gowtham Model School
3. Bhadrachalam Public School&Jr.College
4. Government Degree College
5. P.S.U.P School
6. Government Girls High School
7. St.Paul's High School
8. St.Anns High School
9. Little Flowers High School & Junior College
10. Maidhili Girls College
11. Dr.Paul Raj Engineering College
12. Nannapaneni Mohan Foundation Govt. School.
13. MAYARA SeetaRamaiah Public School.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Bhadrachalam Travel guide
• [1] - A Telugu movie portraying the epic of the temple of Bhadrachalam and the devotee Sri Ramadasu.

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