Astadasha Shakti Peetham - Pithapuram Puruhutika devi

Puruhutika Devi:-
 
Shakti Peethas divine shrines of Devi. These are shrines that are highly revered by Shaktas(Shaktism). The mythology says about the falling of parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when when Lord Shiva took it and wandered. There are 51 Shakti Peeth linking to the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit. It is believed the Sati's Left hand has fallen here. Puruhutika devi temple is considered as one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.





Puruhutika Devi temple in Pithapuram is one of the Astadasha Shakti Peetha temples. This temple is dedicated to Lord Kukkuteshwara Swamy (Lord Shiva) and his consort Goddess Sri Puruhutika Devi (Goddess Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi). the goddess is installed in a separate, independent shrine. The idol facing north is in the standing posture and made of granite stones, about four feet in height. The deity is adorned with glittering gold jewels and rustling silks.

Pithapuram is a very ancient town. It was the seat of the Pithapuram Estate. Pithapuram has three famous temples: Kunthi Madhavaswami temple, Kukkuteswara Swami Temple and the Puruhutika Sakthi Peetam.

Puruhuthika peetham is a powerful peetham among ashtadasapeetham from Pithikapuram,in olden days this place is known as puruhuthikapuram,then came to pitthapuram ,pitikapuram and now calling as pithapuram,a well known hindu’s shiva temple kukkutalingam is here in this temple,gayasura gave his chest for yagam, and shive given moksham to gayasura and then gaya’s foots were kept here and from then this rever is known as Padagaya a wonderful devotional place and VYASA BHAGAVAN,SANKARACHARYA visited this place as per historical stories.


About Puruhutika devi:-

Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati DeviThe Puruhutika devi Temple (Puruhutika Peetham) inside the Kukkudeshwara Temple is a Shakti Peetha where Sati (goddess)'s Left hand fell. The etymology of the location (Peetha Puram or Pithapuram) comes associated with the presence of this Shakti Peetha in the area.Daksha Yaga the mythology depicted in puranas is considered as the main theme in the origin of the idea of Shakti Peethas.

 The idol of Puruhuthika devi has four hands. They contain bag of seeds (Beeja), axe (Parashu), lotus (Kamala) and a dish (Madhu patra) from lower-right to lower-left in order.

Previously there were two sects of Upasakas in Pithapuram worshiping Puruhootika devi. The first one calling her as Puruhootha Lakshmi (Meditating on Kamala and Madhu patra) and worshiping in Samayachara and the second one calling her Puruhoothamba (Meditating on Parashu and Beeja) and worshiping in Vamachara. There is also a tale that the original statue of Puruhutika devi was buried under the temple which was worshiped by them.





Puruhutika devi was worshiped by Lord Indra.

Once Indra has 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 as Sahasraksha there after. But Indra lost his testes. He wanted to regain them. He left his kingdome, 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).

After a very long time Jagadguru Sripada vallabha took birth in Pithapuram. He too worshiped Puruhutika devi and realized his self. He is an incarnation of Dattatreya.

The granie icon of archamurti about four feet in height, and is set up on an elegant Vedika. It is in standing posture and faces north, lying a little further to the Kukkuteswara Swamy linga facing south. Draped in rustling silks and beautified with glittering gold jewels along wish colourful garlands, the Mother looks exceedingly enchanting and wrings veneration at first sight itself.

Sadhana:-

Every year in the month of Ashviyja Navaratri festival is conducted in the temple.

Worship of Puruhutika devi includes Indra as Rishi and Kukkuteswara as Guru.

Puruhutika temple:-

The temple of Puruhutika devi is located within the temple campus of Kukkuteswara swamy.

Kukkuteswara swamy temple is present in the outskirts of the Pithapuram village towards Kakinada. It is a big temple. Just entering in to the temple we'll see a pond which is called as Padagaya sarovaram (Pada Gaya Sarovar). Pilgrims will take holy bath in this pond. Main temple of Kukkuteswara swamy is present towards the right side of the pond. Puruhutika devi temple is present in the North-East corner of the Kukkuteswara swamy temple. It is constructed facing South. Puruhutha temple is small but looks very nice with the carvings of Ashtadasa Shakti peethas on it's walls.

Kukkuteshwara Swamy temple:-

 The most famous temple at Pithapuram is that of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is known as Kukkuteshwara Swamy here. The consort of Kukkuteshwara Swamy is known as Raja Rajeswari. There is the temple of Puruhutika Devi inside the campus of this temple. It is one of the Asta Dasa Shakti Pithas. Maha Shivaratri, Sarannavarathri and Kaartika Masam are the main festivals celebrated at this temple.SRI VASAVI KANYAKAPARAMESWARI TEMPLE (KOTAGUMMAM) .

This complex has a Sarovar after taking bath people offer prayers to their ancestors, as this temple complex is called Pada Gaya. It has Gayasura's Padas(Feet) and Vishnu Padas (Feet). Gayasura's body was cut in three portions and out of that Head has fallen at Siro Gaya (Called Gaya in Bihar) Below chest (Nabhi) portion has fallen in Nabhi Gaya (Jajpur in Orissa)and the Legs (Padas) have fallen here hence called Pada Gaya.

In the North-East corner of the campus, there is a temple of Lord Kala bhairava. Kalabhairava is the Kshetra palaka of the temple and it is a must to worship him.

In the main temple we'll come across a big Nandi made up of Ekasila Salagramam (Single holy stone). It is very beautiful. The Shiva linga of Lord Kukkuteswara is previously present in the form of a cock's head, but now it is covered with a new normal linga. Humkarini Durga is present in the left of Kukkuteswara swamy facing South. She is called as Shivaa. A small temple of Rajarajeswari mata is present beside Shiva temple.



History of Pithapuram:-

Pithapuram is also known as Dakshina Kasi.

Pithapuram is formerly called as Pithikapuram / Pushkara kshetram in Puranas and Tantras.
Pithapuram is home to a dynasty. The Pithapuram Kings ruled the area for long. They established the Pithapuram Raja Government Degree College in Kakinada. These Kings also gave lands to the missionaries for the establishment of a century old humanitarian hospital (Christian Medical Centre).

Missionaries of the Canadian Baptist Mission established their medical enterprise here in the form of the famed hospital Christian Medical Centre. CMC, Pithapuram was known for its quick and healing touch since the eighteenth century.


Other Temples in Pithapuram:-

•Kukkuteshwara Swamy temple: - 

The most famous temple at Pithapuram is that of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is known as Kukkuteshwara Swamy here. The consort of Kukkuteshwara Swamy is known as Raja Rajeswari. There is the temple of Puruhutika Devi inside the campus of this temple. It is one of the Asta Dasa Shakti Pithas. Maha Shivaratri, Sarannavarathri and Kaartika Masam are the main festivals celebrated at this temple.
•Venu Gopala Swamy temple
•Kunthi Madhava Swami temple - It is the one of the pancha madava skathra
•Sripada Vallabha Anagha Datta Kshethram (Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram)
•Daththaatherya Temple
•Nukalamma Temple (Grama Devatha)
•Kukka Pamu Gudi ( Seethayyagari thota)
•Ramakovela (Mangayamma Rao Peta)
•Venkateswaraswami Temple (near Kukkuteshwara Swamy temple)
•Kothi Gudi (near market)
•Sanyasiralla Gudi (near market)
•Vinayakudi Gudi (near Kota gummam)
•Sai baba Gudi (near Chinna Post Office)
•Gali gangalamma temple (near old bus stand)
•Puruhutika ammavaru (near old bus stand )
•Kota Sattemma Talli Gudi (Seethayyagari thota)
•Sri Viswa Viznana Vidya Adhyatmika Peetham, Near Old Bus Stand

Locatoin of Puruhutika Temple:-

INDIA > ANDHRA PRADESH > EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT > NEAR KAKINADA > PITHAPURAM.

18 Shakti peethas map
Godavari district temples map

Route:-

Nearest Busstation Pithapuram
Nearest Railway station Pithapuram, Kakinada
Nearest Airport Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam

Pithapuram is formerly called as Pithikapuram / Pushkara kshetram in Puranas and Tantras.