Pithapuram Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple Timings, History

Pithapuram Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple or Padagaya is one of the sacred and holy Punya Kshetram of Hindus located in Pithapuram, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. Sri puruhuthika Ammavaru, Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi (Sati Devi), Sri Kukkuteswara swamy and Sri Dattatreya Swamy are presiding deities.

This place is known as Padagaya because lord Brahma, Sri Vishnu and Maheswara (Trimurthulu) Killed Gayasura and his legs reached Pithapuram. The place where his legs rested was a pond, and the pond is known as Padagaya. If we visit this place even one time then we get Pithru Mukthikara (means our ancestors get Mukthi), Sarva Papahara, Sarvabhista Siddiprada and Sarvadhukhahara.

Here Lord Shiva is in the linga form of Swayambhu Linga. The linga resemble that of a cock. Hence Lord Shiva is called Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy. Here Lord Dattatreya has their forms and is situated here as Swayambhu.

Gayasura’s head reached Bihar and it is popularly known as `Sirogaya’ in Sirogaya Lord Vishnu temple is situated and one of the Shakthi Pitha is Mangala Gowri Devi. Gayasur’s waist part (Nabhi) reached to Jajhipur in Odissa. So it is known as Nabhigaya, in Nabhigaya Lord Brahma’s temple and Girija Devi’s Shakthi Peeta are also there.

The above three kshetras are known as Trigaya Kshethras of Thrimurthy Swaroopas. In these places Goddess in the form Shakthi.

Sripada Sri Vallaba was born as Dattatreya Swamy in this place. So, It has become the main Avatara Kshetram of Dattatreya. The great poet “Srinadha” wrote in Bheemeswara Purana that the four places that give Salvation or Moksha are Varanasi(Banaras), Kedaram, Kumbhakonam and Pithapuram. This place which is one of the Trigaya Kshetras has become famous as Padagaya.

It is said that by performing “PINDA PRADANAM” here acquires Salvation. The last rights performed here are equal to the rights performed at Kasi Vishwanath Temple. It was mentioned in Skanda Purana, that Sage Vyasa, Pandavas, and Kunti visited this holy shrine in Dwapara Yuga. Rama visited during Tretayuga. Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Indra during Kruta Yuga.

About Sri Puruhuthika Devi:

Pithapuram was earlier known as Pithikapuram. This is the 10th Sakthi Peetha in Ashtadasa Shakthi Peetas (Eighteen). Here Sathi Devi was disgraced and left her life near Yaaga. After the destruction of Dhaksha Yajna Lord Shiva took the dead body of Sathi Devi on his shoulders and was wandering in the world. Lord Vishnu divided the Sathidevi body into 51 pieces with his Sudharsana Chakram. As the seat place (Peetha) of Sathidevi has fallen on this, it is called Pithapuram. Puruhoothudu (Indra) offered Pujas to Sathidevi here. So she is called Sri Puruhuthika Devi.

Sri Puruhuthika has a golden bowl in her lower left hand, Madhiphala fruit in her lower right hand, a drum in her left hand and a metal rod in her right hand. She is placed on Srichakra Peetha and she fulfills all desires and gives health to the devotees. It was said by Srinada Kavisarvabhowrna in Bheemakanda Sloka.

Pithapuram Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple Timings:

Morning: 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Evening: 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Pithapuram Temple Deities Visiting Order:

• Gayasura Padhas
• Vishnu Padhas
• Sri Ganesh
• Sri Dattatreya
• Sri Datta Mandir
• Sri Ramalayam
• Adi Shankaracharya
• Ayyapa Temple
• Kasi Visweswara Swamy
• Annapurnadevi
• Navagrahas
• Subrahmanyeswara Swamy / Subramanya Swamy / Muruga
• Chandiswarudu
• Kanaka Durga
• Puruhuthika Devi
• Kukkuteswara Swamy
• Raja Rajeswari Devi
• Kala Bhairavudu

Pithapuram Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple History:

There are many legends behind Pithapuram Temple they are:

Legend 1:
Once Indra cheated Ahalya (wife of Gautama Maharshi) in the form of Gautama and was cursed by the Maharshi. Indra lost his testes and got the symbols of Yoni all over his body. He felt very sad and prąyed Gautama a lot. Finally, the Rishi accepted and told that the Yoni symbols will look like eyes so that Indra will be called Sahasraksha thereafter. But Indra lost his testes. He wanted to regain them. He left his kingdom, came to Piithika puri and did Tapasya for Jaganmata. After a long time, Jaganmata appeared before him and blessed him with wealth and testes. Indra was very happy and prąyed her as Puruhutika Devi (One who was worshiped by Indra).

Legend 2:
As per the Legends, a demon by the name of Gayasura who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu performed strict penance. Lord Vishnu appeared before him and granted his wish that whoever sees him should attain salvation. Gayasura using his spiritual powers started increasing his body size with the intention that everyone on the Earth should attain salvation. Indra, the God of Heaven worried that if everyone attains salvation then there will be an imbalance in the creation and prayed for the Lord’s Vishnu, Siva and Brahma to seek a solution. Lord Vishnu, Siva and Brahma transformed themselves into Brahmins and approached Gayasura for Yajna space.

They told Gayasura that there are many evil incidents on Earth so they want to perform Yajna on top of Gayasura body which is holy. Brahmins also told him that this Yajna will run for seven days and he should be strong enough to bear the pain if the conditions are not met then he would be killed. Gayasura accepted their request and slept by lying down on the Earth, with their Head in Siro Gaya (Gaya in Bihar), Navel in Jajapur (Nabi Gaya in Orissa) and his foot in Pithapuram (Padagaya in East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh).

Gayasura started counting days on rooster crowing in the early hours and on the last day of the Yajna, Siva took the form of a cock and crowed at midnight. Not knowing the trick Gayasura woke up which disturbed the Yajna. Brahmins accused Gayasura of not sticking to his promise and also told him that, if he can’t bear the pain from Yajna for 7 days then how can he absorb the sins of the entire humankind. Angered Brahmins were ready to kill him, but Gayasura was ready to offer himself as promised. Impressed Lords before him in their actual form and granted a wish that the place where he laid down would become a holy shrine with the Head part to be the Lord Vishnu’s holy abode, Lord Brahma at Navel part and Lord Siva at the feet. And also granted a boon that performing Pindapradana will credit their ancestors and attains salvation.

Legend 3:
Once Goddess Parvathi, Laxmi Devi and Saraswathi wanted to test the loyalty of Anasuya Mata towards her husband and sent Trinity to Earth to test her.

Soon Trinity stood in front of Atri’s hermitage seeking alms. At that time Atri was not at home so Anasuya took them inside and made them comfortable. When she was getting ready to serve food, they stopped her saying that they cannot accept the food until she serves them in nudity. Surprised and shocked to know their demand Anasuya mata was in a great dilemma about whether to give them food or not. But she believed in the words” ATHITHI DEVO BHAV” which meant guest is equal to God.

Immediately she remembered the Lotus feet of her husband and sprinkled water on the three guests and turned them into infants. She then fed them and made them fall asleep. Meanwhile, Atri returned home after his regular rituals and knew the facts from his wife and understood that they were none other than Brahma, Sri Vishnu & Maheshwara.

Knowing about their husbands, Goddess Laxmi, Saraswathi and Parvati Devi came to Atri’s hermitage and asked to give their husbands to them. Then on prayers of Atri & Anasuya Trinity took their original forms and blessed them with three sons who bear the power of the Trinity.

Pithapuram Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple Poojas:

Antaralaya Darshnam (Ordinary Days)
Mahanyasa Poorvakabhishekam
Sahasra Namarchana
Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam
Tailabhishekam
Pinda Pradanam
Laksha Bilvarchana
Laksha Kumkumarchana
Homam
Parayanam/ Japam
Kesakandana
Namakaranam
Maladharana/ Irumudi
Navagraha Shanti
Musivayanam
Pratyeka Darshanam (Ordinary Days)
Visista Darshnam (Special Days)

Pithapuram Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple Accommodation:

Pithapuram Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple Authorities are providing 3 A/C and 4 Non-A/c Rooms for devotees.
There are 32 A/C dormitories with a locker facility.

Pithapuram Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple Address:

Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy
Pithapuram,
East Godavari District,
Andhra Pradesh – 533450
Phone: 08869 – 251445(office)
Email: eopadagaya@gmail.com