Sri Puruhuthika Shakthi Peetham, Kukkuteswara Swamy [Paada Gaya], Pithapuram, EG, AP

Sri Kukkuteshwara Swamy, a form of Lord Shiva, is the presiding Deity who reveals himself in the form of a Linga. This is a Swayambhu Linga (self originating) of white marble and is about two feet in height. The Linga resembles that of a cock. Hence Lord Shiva is called Sri Kukkuteshwara Swamy.

This place is one among the Trigaya Kshetrams and has become famous as Pada Gaya kshetram. It came to be known as Pada Gaya kshetram because of Gaya Asura, a powerful yet pious Demon who laid his body at the behest of Brahma for doing a great yagam for the betterment of people. He was so huge that his head rested in Bihar and his legs reached Pithapuram. The place where his legs rested was a pond whereafter this pond came to be known as Pada Gaya Sarovar (a sacred pond). It is believed that whoever bathes in this sacred pond will be relieved of their sins and that "PINDA PRADANAM" (last rights) of one’s loved ones performed here ensures salvation of their loved ones. The last rights performed here is equal to the rights performed at Kashi.

Pithapuram which was earlier known as Pithikapuram is one of the Ashta Dasha (Eighteen) Shakthi Peethas and it came to be known as such because this was the place where a part of Satidevi’s body i.e. her left hand fell here. She is known here as Puruhootika Devi.

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Sri Kumararama Bheemeswara Swamy Temple, Samarlakota, East Godavari, AP

Kumararama is one of the five Pancharama kshetras that are sacred to lord shiva.The temple has as ekashila nandi, Goddess Bala Tripura Sundari is enrished at the ground floor of the temple. The main shrine is a free standing monument lying at the center of the inner enclosure. The temple premises is almost resemblance the other Pancharama temple at Drakasharama which is also called as Bhimeswara Alayam.

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Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple, Bikkavolu , East Godavari , AP

Bikkavolu Ganapathi was found as a self incarnation in a field and got to be seen by a farmer who was ploughing long long ago.So further bikkavolu Ganesh temple had been constructed in the same place for the shrine and the best miracle to be noted even for today is here the bikkavolu vinayaka grows an inch or more or less 2cm every passing year and from as little as coconut then now he has grown into few feet tall

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Sri Golingeswara Kumara Swamy Temple, Bikkavolu, East Godavari, AP

This is one of the biggest temple built in those days by chalikyas. It has mini temples inside. Till today night time there will be 2 liters of milk will be kept inside the Kumara Swamy garbha gudi and where there is a snake dust mite and next day morning the milk will get empty - Said by temple pujari

we can see tortoises inside this temple roaming all over the temple premises

Sri Ramalayam & Sri Surya Narayana Swamy Temples, Gollala Mamidada, East Godavari District, AP

In the midst of coconut gardens, the green fields and natural surroundings, and on the banks of river "Thulya Bhaga" (Antharvahini) is a well known pilgrim centre known as G. Mamidada (Gollala Mamidada) which is also called as Gopurala Mamidada, famous for Sri Ramalayam and Surya Narayana Temples:

Ramalayam : - 2nd floor has "Addala Meda" which talks about Sri Rama Pattabhishekam and all the idols of that event. The mirror images were something different at some of the places which is really difficult to see your 'eyes' and quit interesting and also magical wonder.

On top of the each gopuram, entire Ramayanam was shown in. You can climb to all the levels and see this.

Sri Surya Narayana Swamy Temple: By that time when we reached this place, temple was closed. But temple priests were staying very close by the temple and went to his house and asked. priest was kind enough and opened the doors for us to have the darshan of the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy. 

 At the entrance, we can see the positions of surya namaskaras paintings on the wall

 Inside top of the temple gopuram, little krishna's idol can be seen from the mirror

Sri Bheemeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharamam, East Godavari District, AP

It is one of the Shiva Pancharamas and one of 18 Shakti Peethas. It is famous as both Shiva kshetra and Shakti kshetra. Lord Bheemeswara swamy and Manikyamba are main the deities here. This place is also called as Dakshina Kashi.

There is an interesting legend regarding the name of this place and existence of Lord Shiva in this place. During Tarakasura vadha, the Shiva Linga which was in the throat of Tarakasura broke into five pieces and one of the pieces fell here. Thereafter, it came to be known as Draksharamam.

 At the entrance of the temple

The temple is a 2 storied complex and looks like a fort. It has 2 Prakarams(paths). The outer Prakaram has 4 entrances in 4 different directions with beautifully carved Gopurams and each of the entrance is known in the form of 4 different forms of Goddesses i.e. Gogulamma, Nookambika, Moodhambike, GhattambikeIn this temple we can see Lord Bheemeswar Swamy, who is the main deity in the form of a tall Shiva Lingam. The Shiva Lingam is nearly 9 ft. A flight of steps leads one to the upper level of the Sanctum where one can see the upper part of Lord Bheemeswar Swamy. The speciality of this Shiva Lingam is that, the early morning tender Sun light falls on the Shiva Lingam. The Shiva linga is of a crystal texture. There are black stripes on the upper part. These are said to be the markings of the tiger skin worn by Lord Shiva when He was in disguise of a Hunter when he fought with Arjuna.

Manikyamba Devi’s shrine is present in backside of the temple at the left corner. Goddess face is looking towards left, signifying her as Vamachara Devatha.

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Sri Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple, Kotiphali (Kotipalli), East Godavari District, AP

Kotipalli also known as Koti Theertham is located at the confluence of the river Godavari with the sea. This holy river which is very famous for its sacred water was brought by Gowtham Maharshi. If a person takes a bath in these holy waters of Gowthami at Kotipalli they will be purified from all kinds of sins. For time immemorial it has been believed that a ritual bath in the river Godavari at Kotipalli is symbolic of a new beginning in life, a change in direction, of forgiveness of heinous sins committed by repentant souls especially in the month of Kartika, and on Maha Shivaratri. Every day in the early hours the Abhishekam for the Lord is done with this Koti Theertham water which is brought by Archakas (priests).

Shiva is worshipped here as Someswara Swamy or Koteeshwara Swamy and his consort Parvati as Rajarajeswari Devi. Here there are three famous idols which have been installed and established by Lord Indra, Lord Chandra and Kashyapa Maharshi. Siddhi Janardhana Swamy along with Sridevi and Bhudevi were established as Kshetra Palaka by Kashyapa Maharshi, Lord Indra in order to wash away his sin installed Koteswara Lingam, which is a Yoga Lingam, along with Sri Rajarajeswari Devi, and Further Lord Chandra established Sri Someswara Lingam, which is a Bhoga Lingam, with Sri Ananpurna Devi to wash away his sin. This Someswara Lingam, which is 5 feet in height, is a crystal Lingam and is said to glow with differing levels of brightness depending on the phase of the moon and is housed in a two storied sanctum, with Annapurna Devi on the 2nd floor.

There is a big water tank in front of the temple which is known as Soma Pushkarini. His Holiness Kanchi Kama Koti Peethadhipathi and his Holiness Shringeri Jagadguru visited this holy kshetram. In the premises of the temple there are 4 Pradakshina Mandapams. In this Mandapams there is a Kalabhairava Swamy temple and Shankaracharya Mandir along with Chandra Mouliswara Lingam, and a Navagraha temple along with Uma Sametha Mrityunjaya Lingam.

Sri Jaganmohini Kesava Smay Temple, Ryali , East Godavari, AP

Visited the Sri Jaganmohini Kesava Swamy Temple, in Ryali. 

The shrine of Sri Jagan Mohini Keshava Swamy is made up of single stone (Salagrama Ekashila - 5 feet height and 3ft width). The idol looks like Sri Vishnu (male) from front side and as Mohini (female) from rear side. The architectural beauty of the idol and temple is excellent. The flow of Akasha Ganga at the feet of Sri Maha Vishnu can be seen here. 

This place was purely a wild forest during 11th century and was ruled by Cholas. Raja Vikrama Deva originally constructed a small temple during 11th century and later renovated.

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Importance of Ryali:

In local language (Telugu) Ryali means FALL. As per Bhagavatam, Lord Vishnu takes the guise of Mohini to rescue Devatas against Rakshasas during Samudra Mathana for getting Amrutam (holy devine nectar). During equally distributing the Amrutam among Devatas and Rakshasas, Mohini works in favour of Devatas and avoids the nectar by giving to Rakshasas. Lord Eshwara (Shiva) sees Mohini and falls in love with her. Lord Shiva comes to know that Mohini is the guise of Lord Vishnu when a flower falls from the plait of Mohini. This place where the flower has fallen is named RYALI meaning FALL in Telugu. 

In Ryali Lord Shiva is worshipped as Uma Kamandaleswara because on the back side Lord Brahma Consecrated the Siva Lingam with his Kamandalam. The Mahavishnu is consecrated as Mohini at the back side and hence worshipped as Sri Jaganmohini Keshava Swamy. The temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu face each other in East and West direction, a rare feature to see at Ryali. The shrine of Sri Jaganmohini is a joy to see. The ten incornations of Lord Sri Vishnu and consorts are beautifully sculptured around the shrine. 

Opposite to this temple, Sri Umakamandaleswara Swamy Temple is available. A rare combination both of these temples Hari Hara Kshethralu in same place and opposite to each other.