BHADRACHALAM

The legend runs as follows. When Abul Hasan Tanashah, the last Kutub Shahi ruler, was reigning at Golconda,an unlette- red woman, by name Dammakka, was living in a hamlet near the hill of Bhadrachalam.

Shesaw in a vision the images of SriRama, Sita and Lakshmana lying, sheltered from prying eyes, in an unfrequented spot on the top of the hill.

Next day, she and her daughter climbed up the hill and discovered the idols on the spot, which she had seen in her dream.

Dammakka had a small Mantapa construc- ted on the top for housing the idols. At that time, in a neighboring village called Nela- kondapalli, one Gopanna, who was the nephew and son-in-law of the King's Mini- ster Akkanna, was living.

This Gopanna became famous later as Saint Ramadas. One day, Gopanna joined a small group of pilgrims climbing up the hill, and came across Kabir Das, a Muslim devotee, who was also proceeding to pay his homage to the deities.

The Hindu servants of the temple objected to the Muslim devotee entering the temple, and Saint Kabir who was denied darshan of the Lord felt sad and miserable.

Since he was denied a vision of the Lord, at that moment, the deities also vanished from view. Gopanna observed that the Lord did not attach any importance to the external form of worship, or the religion to which a person belonged, but rather to the inner sincerity and strength of devotion.

Thereupon he requested the Archakas to permit Kabir also into the temple, where upon the Lord also re-appeared. Gopanna then received Upadesam from Kabir, and assumed the name of Ramadas or the servant of Rama.

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