Kukkuteswara Temple Explained

Map Type:India Andhra Pradesh
Coordinates:17.1068°N 82.2433°W
Native Name:శ్రీ కుక్కుటేశ్వర దేవాలయం
Country:India
State:Andhra Pradesh
District:Kakinada district
Locale:Pithapuram
Deity:Kukkuteswara (Shiva)
Rajarajeswari Devi
Puruhutika Devi
Festivals:Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri

Kukkuteswara Temple is a Hindu temple in Pitapuram town of Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is prominent in both Saivite and Shakta Hindu traditions. It is one of the eighteen Maha Sakthi Peethas considered the most significant pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism.[1] The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Kukkuteswara, a form of Lord Siva as a rooster and his consort Rajarajeswari Devi.[2]

The temple of Puruhutika Devi, one of the Maha Shakti Peethas is on the premises of Kukkuteswara Temple. Pithapuram is referred to in the Skanda Purana and in Srinatha's Bheemeswara Puranamu and also in Samudragupta's Prayaga stone pillar inscription .[3]

Location

It is located at a distance of from Kakinada, from Rajahmundry and from Visakhapatnam.

Temple

Kukuteswara Swamy is a Swayambhu with Spatika Lingam. The temple is also famous for its single-stone Nandi (Eka Sila Nandi in Telugu).

Festivals

Maha Sivaratri, Navaratri, and Karthika Masam are the main festivals celebrated at the temple. An annual festival is celebrated at the temple for Kukkuteswara called Maghabahula Ekadasi.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Moorthy, K. K.. Sarvam Sakti Mayam: A Mini Compendium of 300 Sakti Temples. 1997. Message Publications. 40. en.
  2. Book: General, India Office of the Registrar. Census of India, 1961: Andhra Pradesh. 1962. Manager of Publications. en.
  3. Book: Rao, P. R. Ramachandra. The Splendour of Andhra Art. 2005. Akshara. 82. en.