Kunthi Madhava Swamy Temple Pithapuram is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the five temples which were established by the Indra, God of Heaven.This is one of the Pancha Madhava Kshetram in India. At a time of aranya vasam of Kunthi, and pandavas are going through this place they stayed here. At that time kunthi done the prathista for this statue of Madhava and prayed this god. So that’s why he is called as Kunthi madhava.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
As per the Legends, Chitraketu was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu was taught with Spiritual truths by the serpent king Adi Sesha during his tough times. Chitraketu became proud as Adi Sesha himself visited his house. While leaving his palace, Adi Sesha gifted him with a Vimana to fly around. Chitraketu while passing through Mount Kailash he noticed that Lord Siva had kept his arm around Parvati Devi. On seeing this Chitraketu smiled and said that you are embracing mother Parvati in front of Ganas. Angered Parvati cursed Chitraketu to take birth as a demon, Chitraketu apologised for his ignorance and politely accepted the curse. Chitraketu took the birth as the demon Vritrasura to the Prajapati Tvashta, who was a sage with great powers.
Vritrasura performed strict penance and got the boon from the Lord that no weapon known till then can kill him and no weapon can harm him which is made out of wood and metal and he would not die which is wet or dry. He is also granted with the power which keeps increasing during the battle. Vritrasura with all his powers dethroned the Indra, God of heaven. Indra to regain the control over the Heaven, created a weapon ‘Vajra Yudha’ from the bones of the Sage Dadichi and using sea foam which is neither wet or dry.
Indra killed the demon and regained the control over the Indralok. To get rid of Sin of Killing a Brahmin, he had installed five Vishnu Idols by the name ‘Pancha Madhava’ at 5 different places which are Kasi, Prayag, Padmanabha, Pithapuram and Rameswaram. Later, during Dwaparayuga, When Pandavas were exiled from the kingdom, Kunti, mother of Pandavas prayed here for the Lord Vishnu and Lord appeared her and blessed Kunti. Hence, the shrine popular by Kunti Madhava Swamy Temple.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Pithapuram Bus station is well connected from major cities of Andhra Pradesh.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Pithapuram which is 1.7 km away
By Air
The nearest International airport is at Vijayawada which is 142 km away. The nearest domestic airport is at Rajahmundry which is 56 km away
