Pallikondeswara Temple, also known as Pradosha Kshetram, is devoted to Bhagavan Shiva. It is situated in the village of Surutupalle, located in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Shiva is worshipped here in a rare posture for him sleeping on the lap of Goddess Parvati.
Pallikondeswara Temple History
The temple's construction is attributed to the Vijayanagara
king Harihara Bukka Raya during the years 1344-47. An inscription within the
temple reveals that it underwent a renovation in 1833, generously funded by a
princess from Kalahasti. In 1976, Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati of Kanchi
Mutt visited the temple and guided the excavation of a particular spot,
unearthing a stone bearing the footprints believed to belong to Rama's twins,
Lava and Kusha.
Notably, on June 23, 2002, the Kumbabhishekam, a sacred
consecration ceremony, was performed by Sri Jayendra Saraswati and Sri
Vijayendra Saraswati. Presently, the temple is under the administration of the
State Institute of Temple Administration (SITA), a government body in Andhra
Pradesh.
Palli Kondeswarar, translating to "reclining
deity," is a distinctive representation of Lord Shiva. Here, Shiva, as
Palli Kondeswarar, is depicted reclining in the loving embrace of his consort
Parvati, known as Sarva Mangalambika, a characteristic reminiscent of the
Ranganatha form of Lord Vishnu. This temple was constructed during the later
period of the Vijayanagara dynasty, and the deity is referred to as Bhoga
Sayana Siva.
The temple features a striking three-tiered gateway tower
known as gopurams. It's worth noting that the central icon of Shiva in this
temple is atypical; while most Shiva temples house a Lingam as the central
symbol, Palli Kondeswarar takes the form of a reclining deity. Surrounding
Shiva are representations of other deities and sages, including Ganesha,
Kartikeya, Surya, Chandra, Indra, and the revered sage Narada.