Puruhutika Devi Temple Pithapuram

Puruhutika Devi temple is located on the outskirts of Pithapuram village, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is well known with the temple name Kukkuteswara Swamy temple. It is one of 51 Shaktipeethas and one of Astadasa (18) Maha Sakthi Peetas chanted by Aadi Sankara.

Significance of Puruhutika Devi Temple:

It is said that during Daksha yagna, when goddess Sati self-immolated her “Hipp part” fell at this place. As we should not see goddess Shakti directly with our eyes who is present in gharbagudi, there is one more idol installed on Sri Chakra. This idol of Puruhuthika Devi has four hands handling beejas, axe, madhupatra, and kamala.

Legend of Puruhutika Devi Temple:

There lived a demon named Gayasura, who used to absorb all the powers of the outcome of yagnas and rituals. Of his act, all the gods started losing their powers, and they all approached the Trinath gods (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva). They decided to stop his acts and entered the Gayasura kingdom in the disguised form of priests. They asked Gayasura if they wanted to perform yagna, and when the demon agreed they insisted they wanted to perform on his body rather than on earth. He got to know that the priests were none other than Trinath gods and agreed to their wish.

Priests agree to perform yagna on the condition that Gayasura should not move his body for 7 continuous days if he moves yagna will get disrupted. On the 7th day lord, Shiva transforms into Kukut form and gives sound at 2:00 a.m. like it’s morning. Gayasura wakes up and takes normal form, As Yagna is disrupted they insist his death is confirmed. Gayasura pleads with Trinath that he knows who they are but his body should be treated as holy places on earth. Lord Vishnu kills this demon with his foot, his head part fell in Bihar, his stomach part in Orissa and his leg part in Pitapuram, Kakinada. As Lord Shiva transformed into the form of Kukut, Lord Shiva is known as Kukuteshwar.

Every day kumkum Archana and special rituals are performed. In the main temple, we find goddess Raja Rajeshwari wife of lord Kukuteshwar, she is known for her kindness and peacefulness. We also find Sripada Srivallabha Dattatreya and Humkruthi Durga in temple premises.

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Places to visit near Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth, Pithapuram:

Kukkuteswara Temple: This ancient Shiva temple is situated in the town of Pithapuram itself and is known for its unique architectural style and historical importance.

Samalkot: Located about 10 kilometers from Pithapuram, Samalkot is another town in East Godavari district with several temples and historical sites. The Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a prominent attraction here.

Draksharamam: Approximately 25 kilometers from Pithapuram, Draksharamam is home to the Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, another significant Shiva temple in the region. It’s a place of great religious importance and architectural beauty.

Annavaram: Annavaram is around 50 kilometers from Pithapuram and is known for the famous Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple. The temple is located on a hill, and the views from the top are spectacular.

Rajahmundry: This city is about 45 kilometers from Pithapuram and is situated on the banks of the Godavari River. It’s known for its natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural heritage. You can visit places like Pushkar Ghat, Dowleswaram Barrage, and ISKCON Temple in Rajahmundry.

Kakinada: Located around 50 kilometers from Pithapuram, Kakinada is a coastal city with beautiful beaches like Kakinada Beach and Uppada Beach. You can also explore cultural attractions like the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and the Hope Island.

Uppada Village: Uppada, situated near Kakinada, is famous for its handwoven silk sarees. You can visit the Uppada Saree Weaving Cluster to witness the intricate process of making these traditional sarees.

Maredumilli: If you enjoy nature and forests, Maredumilli is about 100 kilometers from Pithapuram and offers lush greenery, waterfalls, and trekking opportunities in the Eastern Ghats.

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FAQ:

Q: Where is Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth located?

A: Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth is located in Pithapuram, a town in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is about 130 kilometers from Visakhapatnam.

Q: What is the significance of Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth?

A: Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths, or holy sites associated with the Hindu goddess Shakti. According to legend, the left heel of Sati, the first wife of Shiva, fell here after she immolated herself in protest of her father’s insults to her husband.

Q: What are the main attractions of Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth?

A: The main attraction of Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth is the temple dedicated to the goddess Shakti. The temple is a beautiful example of Dravidian architecture, with a tall gopuram (gateway) and a spacious inner sanctum. The goddess is worshipped here in the form of a black stone idol, which is said to be self-manifested.

Q: What are the festivals celebrated at Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth?

A: The main festivals celebrated at Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth are Navaratri, which is a nine-day festival in honor of the goddess Shakti, and Chandrodaya Utsavam, which is a festival to celebrate the rising of the moon.

Q: How to reach Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth?

A: Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth is well-connected by road and rail. The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam International Airport, which is about 130 kilometers away.

Q: What is the history of Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth?

A: The history of Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth dates back to the 11th century CE. The temple was built by the Eastern Ganga dynasty, and it has been renovated and expanded several times over the centuries.

Q: What are the rituals performed at Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth?

A: The main rituals performed at Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth are puja (worship), abhishekam (sacred bath), and pradakshina (circumambulation).

Q: What are the benefits of visiting Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth?

A: It is believed that visiting Shri Puruhutika Shaktipeeth can help devotees to achieve spiritual enlightenment, overcome obstacles, and fulfill their wishes.

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How to reach Puruhutika Devi Temple Pithapuram:

By Air:

The nearest major airport to Pithapuram is Rajahmundry Airport (also known as Madhurapudi Airport), which is approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) away. You can book a flight to Rajahmundry Airport from major Indian cities and then proceed to Pithapuram by road.

By Train:

Pithapuram has its own railway station, known as Pithapuram Railway Station (station code: PAP). You can check the train schedules and book a train ticket to Pithapuram. It’s well-connected to cities like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad. Once you arrive at Pithapuram Railway Station, you can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the Puruhutika Devi Temple, which is in the heart of the town.

By Road:

Pithapuram is well-connected by road. You can reach Pithapuram by bus or by hiring a taxi or self-driving if you’re coming from nearby cities. The temple is situated within the town, so once you reach Pithapuram, you can ask for local directions to the Puruhutika Devi Temple. It’s a prominent place, and the locals will be able to guide you.

Local Transportation:

After reaching Pithapuram, you can use local transportation options like auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, or taxis to reach the Puruhutika Devi Temple. The temple is a significant religious site and should be relatively easy to locate.

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