Kotappakonda Temple, situated on a sacred hill in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh, India, is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. The temple, known as Kotappakonda Sri Trikoteswara Swamy temple, is associated with a renowned legend.
Kotappakonda Temple Story
Long ago, a cattleman named Sundudu and his wife Kundiri
lived in the southern region of the Trikuta hills. Their fortunes took a turn
for the better after the birth of their first child, a beautiful daughter named
Anandavalli, also known as Gollabhama. Anandavalli developed a deep devotion to
Mahadeva Shiva and devoted most of her time to offering prayers at the Old
Koteswara Temple, located on Rudra Hill.
Over time, Anandavalli's attachment to materialistic life
waned, and she embarked on a path of penance for Sri Koteswara Swamy. She
visited Rudra Hill daily, even enduring the scorching summer sun to worship Bhagavan.
Impressed by her unwavering devotion, Jangama Devara, a divine being, appeared
before her.
Touched by Anandavalli's penance, Jangama Devara blessed her
with a pregnancy, despite her being unmarried. Undeterred by her condition, she
continued her daily prayers as usual. Astonished by her profound dedication,
Jangama Devara reappeared and advised her that she need not go through such
hardships to perform rituals and prayers. He promised to visit her at her home,
where she could continue her penance. However, he instructed her not to look
back, no matter what happened, on her way home.
As Anandavalli journeyed from Rudra Hill to her home, she
reached Brahma Hill but succumbed to impatience and turned back. Breaking her
promise, she looked back, and at that very moment, Jangama Devara halted at
Brahma Hill. He entered a cave on the hill and transformed himself into a Shivling.
This sacred site is now known as the New Koteswara Temple.
Anandavalli soon realized that her pregnancy was a divine
creation, a test of her devotion to Mahadeva Shiva. She felt joyous, having
overcome the trials, and became one with the divine.
Kotappakonda Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple History
Each year, Kotappakonda is celebrated with immense devotion
and fervor, drawing a vast number of devoted pilgrims to its sacred grounds.
This place boasts a rich history and is steeped in fascinating details.
Trikuta Hills, often referred to as Trikutadri or Trikuta
Parvatham, stand out due to their three distinct peaks, named Brahma hill,
Vishnu hill, and Rudra hill. These three hills are easily distinguishable from
afar, regardless of one's vantage point.
At the heart of Kotappakonda lies the Trikoteswara Swamy
Temple, known as Brahma Shikharam, serving as the primary place of worship.
Rudra Shikharam is home to the ancient Kotayya Temple, the
initial abode of Trikoteswara Swamy. It was due to the unwavering devotion of
the devotee Gollabhama that Trikoteswara Swamy eventually moved to Brahma
Shikharam. This temple is therefore referred to as the "Paatha" or
old Kotayya Temple.
Vishnu Shikharam houses the revered Lord Paapanaseswara
Temple, where it is believed that Lord Vishnu engaged in profound penance
dedicated to Lord Shiva. Additionally, the site features a sacred pond known as
"Paapanasa Teertha."