At Draksharamam, one of the revered Pancharama Kshetras where Lord Bhimeswara is enshrined, Lord Lakshmi Narayana, as the Kshetrapalaka (guardian deity), clearly proclaims that there is no difference between Shiva and Keshava. Since this was the place where Daksha Prajapati resided, it was originally known as Daksharamam, which over time evolved into Draksharamam. This magnificent temple, constructed about 1,200 years ago by the Eastern Chalukya ruler Bhima, houses Sri Bhimeswara Swamy in the form of a 14-foot Shiva Linga spread across two levels, where He receives special worship from devotees and fulfills their righteous wishes. Within the same sacred compound, Sri Manikyamba Ammavaru, consecrated upon the Sri Chakra by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, is enshrined on a revered Shakti Peetham, blessing devotees. The sacred Godavari flows here as an underground current (Antarvahini). On the auspicious occasion of Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (15.2.2026), the Maha Shivaratri celebrations were conducted with great grandeur and devotion.
On this occasion, Dr. L.V. Gangadhara Sastry, renowned singer, preacher, and propagator of Bhagavadgita, and founder chairman of the Bhagavadgita Foundation, delivered a Bhagavadgita discourse during the sacred Lingodbhava time, awakening devotion and divine consciousness among the devotees. He stated that Shankara is the auspicious One who can bestow auspiciousness even upon inauspiciousness. He emphasized that Shiva, who is worshipped by Brahma, Murari (Vishnu), and the Devas, is one without division, and that seeing differences between Shiva and Keshava is a sign of ignorance. He expressed concern that Hindus are lagging behind in protecting their nation and Dharma as part of their Swadharma, and lamented that many confine their expression of Dharma merely to social media posts and WhatsApp messages. He asserted that only when Hindus become practical and practicing Hindus will the nation’s existence be secured and a selfless, noble society established. The continued destruction of idols and temples of Hindu deities even today in a Hindu nation, he said, reflects the weakness of Hindus. Due to petty vote-bank politics and an unresponsive, inert state of society, the very existence of Hinduism is being called into question. Hindus must recognize their responsibility in safeguarding their Dharma.
He further stated that visiting temples should not be limited to seeking worldly desires, offering money in the hundi, and receiving tirtha and prasada. Instead, one should go to temples to pray to the Divine to cultivate and strengthen the quality of Dharma within oneself. If every individual studies the Bhagavadgita, which was directly imparted by the Supreme Lord Himself, with the intention of understanding and practicing its teachings, Dharma will stand firm. Dr. Gangadhara Sastry sang and explained some of the most important verses of the Gita, applying them to daily life. While rendering the Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga, he vividly brought before the eyes of the devotees the divine cosmic manifestations of the Supreme Lord. He also led the devotees in a heartfelt Krishna Bhajan.
Earlier, the temple Executive Officer Smt. Durgabhavani welcomed Dr. Gangadhara Sastry and his spouse with traditional temple honors. Under the guidance of the Asthana Veda scholar Brahmasri Bulusu Sivarama Krishna Sharma, Dr. Gangadhara Sastry performed Abhishekam to Sri Bhimeswara Swamy and Kumkumarchana to Sri Manikyamba Ammavaru. He expressed his gratitude to the program coordinators Sri Manikantha (PRO) and Sri Chakka Rambabu for their dedicated efforts.
