Bhakta Ramadaas, Hyderabad (Untold Tales)

Some places are visited to absorb the architecture and history behind it and some to awe at the magnificence and scenic beauty. But THE GOLCONDA FORT at Hyderabad has a blend of all, vastness, architecture and the rich culture of the Kakatiya dynasty and Qutub Sahib rulers.Built and rebuilt from a mud fort to a granite one, this fort stands tall on a hillock at an altitude of 400 ft and has an expanse of  7 km in circumference with 12 m walls. 

The Golconda Fort

Golconda consists of four distinct forts with a 10 km long outer wall. It has eight gateways, four drawbridges, and numerous royal apartments. halls, temples and mosques, within it. "Fateh Darwaza" (Victory gate) is at the lowermost level studded with giant iron spikes (to prevent elephants from battering them down).  Fateh Darwaza is an engineering marvel of acoustic effect and is the main attraction at Golkonda. A hand clap at a certain point below the dome at the entrance reverberates and can be heard clearly at the 'Bala Hisar' pavilion, the highest point almost a kilometer away. This worked as a warning to the kings at the time of, attack.

The view of Bala Hisar

This majestic structure has beautiful palaces and an ingenious water supply system.The water raised by Persian wheels was stored in overhead tanks at different levels. Water thus collected was effectively distributed to various mahals, apartments, roof gardens and fountains in the citadel through stone aqueducts and a network of earthen pipes by mere law of gravity.  Sadly, these unique architectures of the fort is not being properly maintained and is losing its charm.

The ventilation of the fort is so well designed that cool breeze could reach the interiors of the fort, even during peak summers.

Another attraction found in this fort is the Jail where Ramadaas was imprisoned for 12 years.

Bhakta Ramadaas was born as Gopanna in 1620 in Nelakondapalli, a small village at Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh. Since childhood, he imbibed his family's interest of spirituality and composed several keertanas on Lord Rama. During the reign of Abdul Hasan Tana Shah, (the nawab of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty at Golconda), Ramadaas (Gopanna), was appointed as a Tahsildar of  Palvancha Paragana which included Bhadraachalam, a picturesque temple town on the Godavari river. Ramadaas was extremely devoted to Lord Rama and this inspired him to build a temple at Bhadraachalam. He collected money for the construction from the people, but since it was not sufficient, he borrowed the wealth collected from the tax revenue of the nawab and built The Seetha RamachandraTemple at Bhadraachalam, vowing to return it. 

The Rama Temple at Bhadraachalam

However, the nawab was furious on knowing about the money from the tax collection being used to built the Rama Temple and sentenced Ramadaas to 12 years of imprisonment. Ramadaas composed some of the best keertanas during his days in prison on Lord Rama.

It is said that Lord Rama and Lakshmana in the guise of two youth paid up his dues and got his release papers. The golden coins paid by Rama are known as Ram Tanka coins. They are kept as exhibits within the temple premise. These coins have the Pattabhishekam scene on one side and of Hanuman, on the other. 

The nawab on realizing that it was Lord Rama who had repaid the money, was deeply moved at the devotion of Ramadaas and released him immediately. He gave him the land around Bhadraachalam to continue his dedicated service to Lord Rama. The Nawab also returned the Ram Tanka coins to Ramdaas to be used for the temple. 

Since then, it has been the royal custom of the Hyderabad State (now part of Telangana State) to send gifts to the temple on the occasion of Sree Rama Navami celebrations every year.

 BHADRAACHALAM

The temple town of Bhadraachalam is about 312 km away from Hyderabad situated in the Khamman District. 

At Paranasala

Legend says that the present town is situated in an area which was once a part of The Dandakaranya Forests, the abode of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana during their exile. Paranasala a scenic place on the banks of River Godavari is at a vicinity from the temple, at about 35km away. It is said to be the place where they had built their hut and is also the spot from where Sita was abducted by Ravana. 

The hut where Rama and Sita lived at Paransala

The history of this temple stands for the significance of Ramayana Era, and adds another story - of " Sri Mahavishnu ", who manifested himself as The Avatar of Rama to fulfill his promise to his Bhakta, Bhadra (a mountain king), who had been continuing a penance to obtain the grace of Lord Rama. The name Bhadrachalam is derived from Bhadragiri (Mountain of Bhadra).

The temple at Bhadrachalam has the Archa Murthys of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana and are considered to be Swayambhu (self-manifested ones). Lord Sri Rama is said to have appeared in the dreams of a woman devotee, Pokala Dammakka and informed her about the existence of vigrahas on Bhadragiri hills. To her surprise the next morning she found the "Vigraha's" and made a modest structure and offered puja to the deities. 

Glimpse of River Godavari

Panaromic view of River Godavrai from Paranasala