The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that was created on a hill of regarding one thousand steps. Though surrounded by other hills, the three hills, also known by the names of Trikutachalam or Trikutadri, can be distinctly seen from a distance from any direction. The three peaks are named after the Hindu Triumverate, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara.
Shrine’s History
Lord Siva frustrated with the sacrifice of the of their consort Sri Parvathi Devi during Daksha Yagnam, used to wonder in these Eastern Ghats. Lord Siva identified this place as a sacred one because it was surrounded by three Sikharams which are being called as BRAHMA, VISHNU AND MAHESWARA SIKHARAMS. Amidst these three sikharams, the place now here the temple was constructed has immense Lord Siva as an auspicious place for meditation.
As the temple was in a valley being surrounded by three sikharams, it was called as TRIKUTESWARA SWAMY. Lord Siva being worried due to the sacrifice of life of his consort Sri Parvathi Devi threatening her father Daksha prajapathi and due to the Amarpana of their consort, in frustration, Lord Siva performed here Meditation as a Brahmachari, Dakshinamurthy. Hence, the Lord here is being called as Dakshinamurthy Swaroopam and the Kshetram is also known as Dakshinamurthy Kshethram. As the Lord is said to have been Dakshinamurthy Swaroopam no consort of the Lord and no Dwajasthambham was installed here.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
The legend says that a lady who was a great devotee of Lord Shiva used to worship Lord Shiva by offering fruits and flowers at this temple. And one day, when the lady was on her way to the temple, a crow troubled the lady by seeing the fruits. The lady got angry and cursed the crow saying that it cannot enter the temple premises. Even today, we cannot find any crows around the temple premises.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Buses are available from Chilakaluri pet, Vijayawada, Hyderabad to reach the temple. And there is also a route to reach Kotappakonda from Addanaki via Santha Maguluru and Minnekallu.
By Rail
The Nearest railhead to Kotappakonda Temple is Narsaraipet.
By Air
The Nearest airport to reach Kotappakonda Temple is Gannavaram airport, which is near Vijayawada.
Shrine Timings
5:30 am to 7:30 pm
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Mahashivaratri February/March
Extra Information About this Shrine
Kotappakonda temple is considered to be the very famous temple and to reach the temple one has to climb the stairway of about thousand steps. There are four temples located in the temple complex of Kotappakonda temple. One of the temples is located at the base, the other at an elevation of about 600 feet and the main temple stands at a height of 1500 feet. The special feature of the temple is that we cannot find a single crow around the temple surroundings.