Draksharamam

Draksharamam is a region of pilgrimage in the East Godavari district of the State of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is located at a distance of 28 Km from Kakinada,50 Km from Rajahmundry and 25 Km from Amalapuram. There are many pilgrim centres in the region. Draksharama is only one of them situated on the Eastern Bank of the River Godavari. It is one of the Ashtadasa Shakti Peethas of India, and famous for Sri Manikyamba Temple.

There are only three centres of pilgrimage in India which are important for both the god and the goddess and the presiding deities. One is Varanasi in Northern India with Viswanatha and Annapurna. Second is Srisailam in Southern India with Sri Mallikharjuna and Bramaramba, and third is Draksharama with Bhimanatha and Manikyamba.

"Draksharama" means the Abode of Daksha Prajapathi - the Father-in-law of Lord Siva and the beloved Father of 'Sati' the spiritual spouse of Lord Siva.

The place also figures in the 'Skanda Purana' of Sri Vyasa.