Kotipalli Temple

Introduction to the Kotipalli Temple

Sri Someswara Swamy Temple, or Uma Parvathi Devi Sahita Someswara Swamy Vari Temple, is located on River Gautami at Kotipalli, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. This Temple is locally known as Kotipalli Temple. Shiva Linga is permanently submerged in water at this temple.

Legend of the Kotipalli Temple

According to the temple legends, Indra disguised himself as Gauthama Maharishi and embraced Ahalya, wife of the sage, as he was enamored of her beauty. The Rishi was furious and cursed Indra with a lifelong disease, while was cursed to become a rock. When Ahalya and Indra pleaded with the Rishi for a way to escape from the deadly curse, Gauthama Maharishi asked Ahalya to wait until Rama touched her with his divine feet. Gauthama Maharishi told Indra to bathe in the Gauthami River and perform Pooja to Shiva. As per his advice, Indra installed a Shiva Linga named Koteswara Lingam and performed Pooja to get rid of his sin.

According to another legend, Chandra lost his beauty due to his secret love for Tara, his guru's wife. Chandra approached Vishnu and prayed to get rid of his sin. Pleased with his devotion, Vishnu advised him to bathe in the Gauthami River, install a Shiva Linga, and perform Pooja to eliminate sin. As per his advice, Chandra installed a Shiva Linga with Rajarajeshwari, and he was freed from sin. Therefore, the Shiva Linga is also called "Chaya Someswara Swamy Lingam."

The Architecture of the Kotipalli Temple

The Kotipalli Temple reflects the Dravidian style of architecture. There is Soma Pushkarini in front of the temple, where a beautiful statue of Shiva is in a meditating posture. It is a small temple with Mandaps on four sides. The internal Mandap of the temple has sculptures of different deities.

A small Shiva Linga is covered with flowers and decorated with a serpent kavacha in the inner sanctum. A tiny statue of Nandi is in front of the Linga. Besides the Shiva Linga, the idol of Annapurna is also seen.

Koteswara Swamy and Sri Someswara Swamy are the two Lingas that were installed by Indra and Soma. Koteswara Swamy Linga is a Yoga Linga and Someswara Swamy Linga is a Bhoga Linga.

This temple is unique for the presence of both Shiva and Vishnu shrines in the same temple. Shiva is worshipped as Someswara, while Vishnu is Sri Janardhana Swamy.

The Kotipalli Temple is also known as Sri Janardhana Swamy temple. The other three principal deities are Indra, Chandra, and Rishi Kashyapa.

Sri Siddhi Janardhana Swamy, Sridevi, and Bhoodevi are the Kshetra Palakas of the Kotipalli Temple, which Kashyapa Maharishi installed. The temple also houses the shrines of Raja Rajeshwari Ammavaru, Anjaneya, Kalabhairava, and the Navagrahas.

Festivals in the Kotipalli Temple

Magha Bahula Chaturdashi or Maha Shivratri between February and March, Sri Swami Vari Kalyanam (Visakha Suddha Ekadashi) in May, Navratri in October, and Ksheerabdhi Dwadashi Theppotsavam during November are famously celebrated in the Kotipalli Temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Kotipalli Temple

Devotees visit the Kotipalli Temple and worship the presiding deity for freedom from diseases, prosperity, courage, and relief from the adverse effects of malefic planets.

The holy River Gautami is famous for its sacredness. It is believed that anyone who bathes in this sacred water will be purified from all kinds of sins. It is also called "Koti Theertha Kshetra," as waters from different rivers flow into the River Gautami.