Overview

Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple, in Pithapuram town (also known as Pitapuram) of the Kakinada district in Andhra Pradesh, is a big spot for worship of the Shaivite and Shakti Hindu traditions. This place is among the eighteen Shakti peetham in India and is highly revered for divine femininity. The Temple mirrors our cultural heritage and invites pilgrims and tourists to start a transformative faith journey. One must visit the temple to encounter the timeless aura and energy of the blend of Shiva and Shakti.

God

The presence of Lord Shiva in this temple is a swayambhu lingam in the form of a rooster who resides with his consort, Rajarajeswari Devi.

Goddess

The divine feminine or the devi power exists in this temple as Puruhutika Devi, which gives out immense energy, bestowing peace and power in the region.

Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple History

Pithapuram Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple is located in the Paadagaya Kshetram, in the eastern district of Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, which is significant as one of the most vital Astadasa Peethas.

The temple and the region of Pithapuram are renowned as holy pilgrimage sites, well known as 'Kedaram' in northern India and 'Kumbhakonam' in the south. Sage Vyasa and his disciples visited the Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple, which gets a special mention in the Bhimakhanda of Skanda Purana, one of the eighteen holy texts. The spiritual significance of the Paadagaya Kshetram adds to the cultural richness of the temple and the region. Pithapuram, originally called Pishtapura, is mentioned in the Skanda Purana as well as in the Srinatha's Bheemeswara Puranamu and Samudragupta's Allahabad stone pillar inscription, emphasising the historical and religious significance of the region. Pithapuram was known as Pishtapuram in the early texts and was supposed to be part of Kalinga. It served as the capital for several dynasties.

Architecture

The architecture of the temple is inspired by the Dravidian style, and innumerable sculptures line adorn the walls. Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple entrance leads the path from where one can see an intricately sculpted majestic and beautiful Gopuram that proves the builders' exemplary craftsmanship. There is a pond inside the temple complex, which is said to be the place where Gayasura laid his feet. A giant statue of Gayasura lies there with the Trimurthi, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma.

Significance

The temple is of intense importance to the devotees and spiritual seekers. The blessings of courage, protection and the capability to overcome adversities are gained when one visits the temple.

The deity gives the message of fearlessness and power in fighting evil and encourages one to follow the path of dharma (righteousness). Pithapuram is one of the Twelve Pilgrims, one of the five Madava Keshatra and one of the Asta Dasa (Eighteen) Sakthi Petas. One can find the historical significance of the Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple and its powers in the Bheema Khanda and Shandapurana. Bhima Mandalam is a divine territorial zone encompassing Andhra, parts of the Orissa border and the Vindhya mountains. The location has fertile and agriculturally rich soil, conveying the message of fertility and prosperity.