Shakti Peethas are divine shrines of Devi and highly revered in Hinduism. According to the Daksha Yagna mythology it is believed the Sati’s Left hand has fallen here in Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh and the Sati is worshipped as Puruhutika Devi. The Puruhutika temple is considered as one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. This temple is dedicated to Lord Kukkuteshwara Swamy (Lord Shiva) and his consort Goddess Sri Puruhutika Devi (Goddess Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi).
Puruhuti sati mata pithikapurasamsthita /
Putravatpalita Devi bhaktanugrahadayini //
Pithapuram is a very ancient town near Kakinada city. Pithapuram has three famous temples: Kunthi Madhavaswami temple, Kukkuteswara Swami Temple and the Puruhutika Sakthi Peetam.
About the Temple
The temple of Puruhutika Devi is located within the temple campus of Kukkuteswara swamy. Just as we enter the temple we see a pond called as “Padagaya sarovaram” (Pada Gaya Sarovar). 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.
Must read Navratri Special : Ashtadasa Shakthi Peetham – Jogulamba Devi, Alampur
Main temple of Kukkuteswara swamy is present towards the right side of the pond. The goddess is installed in a separate, independent shrine. Puruhutika Devi temple is present in the North-East corner of the Kukkuteswara swamy temple and is constructed facing South. The idol facing north is in the standing posture and made of granite stones, about four feet in height. Puruhutha temple is small but has beautiful carvings of Ashtadasa Shakti peethas on it’s walls.
Idol of Puruhutika Devi
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.
About Puruhutika Devi
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.
Stalapuranam (Legends)
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 Manhood and got the symbols of Yoni all over his body. Indra prays to the sage realizing his mistake and asks for his Finally the sage accepts Indra and told blesses him that the Yoni symbols will look like eyes, so that Indra will be called as Sahasraksha there after. But alas Indra has lost his manhood which he hasn’t regained hence he prays the Jaganmata who blesses him to his manhood. Hence the Jaganmatha at pithapuram is known as Puruhutika Devi (One who was worshiped by Indra).
According to yet another legend associated with the temple is thay after a long time of Tapassu, Jagadguru Sripada vallabha took birth in Pithapuram and he worshiped Puruhutika Devi and realized his self. He is an incarnation of Dattatreya.
History
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.
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.
In the North-East corner of the campus, there is a temple of Lord Kalabhairava. Kalabhairava is the Kshetra palaka of the temple and it is a must to worship him.
