Bhadrachala Ramadasu (भद्राचल रामदासु)

Bhaktamal | Bhadrachala Ramadasu
Real Name: Kancharla Gopanna
Other Names - Ramadasu, Bhakta Ramadasu
Aradhya - Bhagwan Ram
Guru: Raghunatha Bhattacharya
Birth Place: Nelakondapalli, Golconda Sultanate (present-day Khammam District, Telangana)
Born: 1620 CE
Death: 1688 (aged 68), Bhadrachalam
Marital Status: Married
Languages: Telugu, Sanskrit, Persian, Urdu
Father: Linganna Mantri
Mother: Kamamba
Wife - Kamalamma
Reconstructed - Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple, Bhadrachalam
Famous - Bhakti movement poet-saints of HinduismBhadrachalam Ramadasu, also known as Kancherla Gopanna, was a renowned 17th-century devotee of Bhagwan Ram, a Telugu musician, and saint poet from present-day Telangana. He is particularly remembered for his deep devotion to Bhagwan Ram and his close association with the Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple in Bhadrachalam.

Divine Legend of Bhadrachala Ramadasu
Ramadasu was served as a Tahsildar (revenue officer) under the Qutb Shahi ruler Abul Hasan Qutb Shah. Though involved in administration, he was deeply devoted to Bhagwan Ram from childhood. During his service, Ramadasu discovered the neglected temple of Bhagwan Ram at Bhadrachalam. Moved by devotion, he used state revenue funds to renovate and rebuild the temple. When the ruler learned this, Ramadasu was imprisoned for several years in Golconda Fort.

Bhagwan Ram and Lakshmana appeared before the Sultan in disguise and paid for the temple expenses with gold coins bearing Rama's seal. Seeing this miracle, the Sultan released Ramadasu from prison and honored him.

Contributions of Bhadrachala Ramadasu
Ramadasu composed numerous devotional Telugu kirtanas dedicated to Bhagwan Ram. His songs are still sung in the Carnatic music and bhajan traditions. He is considered one of the greatest devotees of Rama in South India. His life embodies devotion, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Ramadasu Jayanti is celebrated in his honor every year in Bhadrachalam. Click here for Shri Ram Bhajan.

The Telangana government officially participates in the famous Sri Rama Navami celebrations held in Bhadrachalam. His compositions are considered spiritually powerful and soulful. The famous Telugu devotional film "Sri Ramadasu," starring Akkineni Nagarjuna, beautifully depicts his life and devotion.