ABOUT
PITHAPURAM
Pithapuram, historically known as Pithikapur, is a town and a municipality in the Kakinada district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town also forms a part of Godavari Urban Development Authority. The back portion(seat) of Goddess Sati had fallen down in this region when her self-immolated body was cut into 52 pieces by Sudarshan Chakra of Vishnu. Thus, this town is home to one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas, which are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism. It is also called as Chinna Kashi.
Pithapur is located 20 Km from Kakinada, 138 km from Vishakhapatnam and 75 Km from Rajahmundry. It is famous for the temples of Kukkuteshwara Swamy, RajaRajeshwari Temple, Paadagaya Tirth, Swayambhu Datta Mandir, Kunthimadhava Swamy Temple and Sri Pada ShriVallabha Mahasansthanam, Anaagha Datha Kshethram, Sri Rukmini Satyabhama Sameta Venugopal Swamy Temple, Sathamma Thalli (Sati Amma) Temple, Puruhutika Shaktipeeth, Sakhileshwar Swami Temple .
The Vishnukundina dynasty and Chalukya dynasty have left their influence on this holy land. These kingdoms have left behind indelible marks, especially in the architecture of the many temples around the town.
For those seeking religious and spiritual divinity or those interested in history and architecture, Pithapuram makes for an interesting travel destination. The River Eleru(Ela – where the idol of self- manifested Datta was found) passes through this city. It is one of oldest Dwadash Punya Kshetras, one of the five Madhav Kshetras, one of Trigaya Kshetras and one of Ashtadasha Shakti Peethas.
The best-known temple in Pithapuram, one that sees many, many devotees throughout the year, is the Kukkuteshwara Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Puruhutika Shakti Peetham, one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, Padagaya Kshetra, Self-manifested Dattatreya temple and has a few other temples dedicated to other deities all under one complex. The Kukkuteshwara temple sees the highest number of visitors around the festive period, especially during Mahashivratri and also on Mahalaya Amavasya day. Major activity done here is the Shraaddha / Pindadana (annual ancestral worship) due to the boon that ancestors get salvation if pindadaana is done here.
The presiding deity here is a sphatik lingam; Its surface resembles that of a rooster and is believed to have originated when Shiva in the disguise of a rooster turned Himself into a lingam upon request of His devotee Gayasur . When you’re visiting Pithapuram, this temple is a must-visit. It is said that along with Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, this shrine was also visited by Lord Rama, Sages Vyasya, Valmiki, Agastya, Lord Indra, Pandavas with their mother Kunti and Buddhits and Jains alike.
Another must visit Temple in Pithapur is the Shripada ShriVallabha Mahasansthan at Venugopal temple Street. In 1320 A.D., Sripada Sri Vallabha, the first and complete incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in Kaliyug was born and lived in Pithapuram. He stayed in Pithapur for about 16 years in His bodily form and performed many miracles and sportive plays in His childhood. After 30 years of age, He has kept His form hidden and continues to roam around incognito in Pithapur and perform miracles.
Here, the padukas of Shripada ShriVallabha have been installed at exact place of His birth in His maternal Grandfather’s house, at the base of Audumbara tree. Behind the Padukas, idols of Lord Dattatreya, Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Swami and Shripada Shrivallabha have also been installed. These idols were brought in from Jaipur and Padukas were brought in from Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru. It is said that deep down underground below these stone padukas, there are golden padukas of Shripada which He had worn and travelled around the cosmos. The original Sanskrit manuscript of Hagiography of Shripada- “Shripada Shrivallabh Charitamrut” is also kept underground in a subtle form near the golden padukas of Shripada at the base of Audumbara tree. There is another Audumbar tree in the courtyard of the Mahasansthan which is an offshoot of the same Audumbar tree existing at the time of Shripada’s stay in Pithapur. Under this tree Shripada’s mother used to feed Him halwa on day of Shani Pradosh. As mentioned by Shripada , The purpose of His incarnation in Pithikapur is to move the Kundalini of the Universe, its base being in Pithapur; the kundalini of Pithikapur can be awakened in the 33rd generation of His grandfather. This process has started during the formation of the Mahasansthan around the year 1983. It is a mandate by Shripada that whoever comes to Pithapur must visit the Mahasansthan and take His auspicious darshan. Shripada has also commanded that each soul on this earth should come to Pithapur in some form or the other in any one of his births and take His darshan at Mahasansthan. As such this temple is gaining popularity and people from across the globe have started visiting Pithapur. People from Nepal are also expected to come here as mentioned in His hagiography.