Puruhutika Devi Temple Dedicated to Kukkuteswara Swamy (Lord Shiva) and Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi is one of the Maha Shaktipeeth Temple or Ashta Dasha temple , there are 51 Shakti Peetas across the country, of these 4 are considered as Adi Shaktipeeth and 18 as Maha Shakti Peethas. Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy temple And Puruhutika Devi Temple is located at Pithapuram in East Godavari District.
Pithapuram’s Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple stands as a grand testament to Lord Shiva, the presiding Deity of whom is revealed through a two-foot tall Swayambhu Linga in the form of white marble. This Spatika Linga resembles that of a cock which earned its deity his name Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy. Additionally, an immense and beautiful Nandi (bull) idol carved from one single stone sits proudly at the temple entrance with accompanying shrine for consort Sri Rajarajeswari nearby.
Nestled within the boundaries of Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple lies Puruhutika Devi, one of the 18 Asta Dasha Shakti Peethas. This venerated temple is said to be where Goddess Sati Devi’s back part fell after Daksha Yagna and was initially referred to as “Puruhoothika puram”, later changed to “Peetika Puram” before finally being called Pithapuram. It proudly stands as tenth Sakthi Peetham among its peers in this sacred tradition.
This site is one of the devout Trigaya Kshetrams, renowned as Pada Gaya Kshetram. Long ago, a powerful demon named Gaya Asura placed his body in Bihar at Brahma’s command to perform an extraordinary yagna for mankind. He was huge enough that his head stayed in Bihar and legs stretched all the way to Pithapuram. It is said that wherever he rested his feet became a pond known today as Pada Gaya Sarovar – believed to absolve any who bathe there from their sins!
The Kunti Madhavaswamy Temple, situated beside the renowned Kukkuteswara temple, is an extraordinary pilgrimage site. It’s said that this was where Queen Kunti installed her image to be worshipped by ancient sages such as Vyasa, Valmiki and Agastya. The complex houses a Swayambhu Sri Dattatreya Swamy idol in addition to a separate sacred area honouring Sripada Srivallabha Swamy; it is believed that this is the only place of worship for the divine incarnation of Lord Datta.Other temples devoted to divine entities, such as Sri Rama, Ayyappa, Sri Vishveshwara and the auspicious deities of Annapurna Devi and Durga Devi are also offered reverence throughout this sacred space.
The temple of Maha Shivaratri, Sarrannavarathri and Kaartika Masam honor Devi Navarathri during Dussehra season. It is a time to rejoice in the different festivals that are celebrated here; Maghabahula Ekadasi honoring Kukkuteswara, Suddha Ekadasi dedicated to Kunti Madhava, Palguna for Kumaraswamy and Karthikamasa exalting Venugopalaswamy.
The legendary wordsmith, Srinadha, composed in Bheemeswara Purana’s third chapter that the four divine locations to attain Moksha are Varanasi (Banaras), Kedaram, Kumbhakonam and Pithapuram—the latter being known as Padagaya Kshetram.
At the Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple, Daksha Prajapati of the moon dynasty named Lord Shiva his son-in-law after offering him his eldest daughter Satidevi. Unfortunately, a dispute arose between these two gods and Dakshaprajapati decided to host a Yaga without inviting Lord Shiva. To honor this situation has arisen Sri Puruhutika Ammavaru/Amman was established.
Except for Lord Shiva, Yaksha, Garuda, Gandharva, Kinnera, Kimpurusha and Maharshi’s were invited to the Yaga. Saddened by this exclusion of her beloved parents from the ceremony; Satidevi decided to attend uninvitedly despite knowing it was disrespectful. Unfortunately she was disgraced there which eventually led to her death near Yaga. Knowing that Sridevi had sacrificed herself for all living creatures in the universe; Vishnu took a piece of his Sudarshana Chakram and divided her body into 18 parts out of respect.
One significant piece of the goddess’ body fell in Lanka – today known as Ceylon – while 17 other parts made their way to India, later categorized as 18 Shakti Peethas.
The Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple is host to a captivating creeper that has no leaves. It is believed that prayer and worship of this particular greenery grants all your wishes! Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi, additionally known as Kumara Gananadhamba due to her presence between sons Kumara Swamy and Lord Ganesha, blesses devotees with the power of fulfilling their desires through pooja performed at the temple.
As an esteemed holy site, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma visited Kruthayuga while the beloved god Rama graced Tretayuga. During Dwaparayuge Kunthi Devi came with her sons Pandavas as well as Vyasa Maharishi to this sacred place.
At the behest of Lord Vishnu and Brahma, Lord Shiva assumed a cock form to vanquish Gayasura. And as per the boon granted by Trimurthys, after Gayasura’s demise, Shiva transformed into a lingam and is worshipped in Pitapuram as Sri Kukkuteshwara Swamy Temple.
The divine Sri Dattatreya Swami was the son of Atri and Anasuya, blessed with three forms of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara. He was born in Paadagaya Kshetra as stated in chapter five of Gurucharita written by Sree Vasudevada Saraswati; a powerful testament to his holiness!
Nestled at a distance of 2.5 km from Pithapuram Railway Station, 12 km from Samarlakota, 16 km from Kakinada, 61 km from Rajahmundry, 31km from Annavaram, 208km from Vijayawada and 152km from Vizag is the Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple – an ancient Siva temple in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Being one of the Ashta Dasha (Eighteen) Shakthi Peethas that was earlier known as ‘Pithikapuram’, this charming destination will make your trip worthwhile!
