Sri Pada Sri Vallabha Temple – Pithapuram

Introduction to the Sri Pada Sri Vallabha Temple

Sripada Srivallabha is regarded as an Indian Guru of the Dattatreya Sampradaya. He is considered one of the first complete incarnations of Dattatreya in Kali Yuga. Sripada Srivallabha, Narasimha Saraswathi Manik Prabhu, Swami Samarth, and Shirdi Saibaba are considered other incarnations of Dattatreya. Pithapuram is also called Dakshina Kasi. The Sripada Srivallabha Temple is in Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh. It is regarded as one of the 18 Shakthi Peeths in India.

Who is Sripada Srivallabha?

Sripada Srivallabha's incarnation occurred in 1320 AD at Pithapuram, India. Sripada Srivallabha is a complete yogic incarnation. His body embodies a holy fire. He was bright, tall, handsome, and lustrous. His divine gross body was endowed with divine vibrations.
Sripada Srivallabha is a personification of all deities. His nature is magnificent and transcends all the forms of the deities. He is the Emperor of the 14 worlds and dwells in all countries and at all times.
Sripada Srivallabha's birth aims to bless Siddhas and yogis and uplift dharma in the universe. During his survival, he performed many miracles through his actions. He insisted on imparting knowledge to the ignorant.

History of the Sri Pada Sri Vallabha Temple

Once, two scholars went to an area called Ainavilli in Godavari and conducted a Yagna. They made Ganapati manifest during the time of Poornahuti, and this was witnessed by all the people who attended the Yagna.

Ganapati received the Poornahuti with his trunk and disclosed that he would take birth as Sripada Srivallabha on Ganesh Chaturthi. Later, the scholars went to Pithapuram village and settled there. Sripada Srivallabha was born in Pithapuram town, Andhra Pradesh. Malladi Bapanna Avadhanulu, Harithasa Gothra, and Rajamamba were his maternal grandparents. They lived in Malayadri village, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. Malladi Sridhara Avadhanlu was the brother of Rajamamba and lived in the same place.

Sripada Srivallabha took sanyas when he was 16 years old, and lived in his physical form until he was 30 years old. During his lifetime, he visited Varanasi, Badarikashram, Gokarna, Srisailam, and Kuravapura. He spent most of his life in Kurupuram, in the Srisailam hills. Shripad Vallabha performed many miracles here

It is believed that Sripada Srivallabha is a Chiranjeevi (immortal). He took Jalsamadhi in Kuravapura, a river island on River Krishna, Raichur, Karnataka. Sripada Srivallabha disappeared as a human but still exists in Tejo roop. Vallabhapuram is opposite the river, which is also sacred.

A Brahmin named Vallabhesh vowed to feed 1000 Brahmins in Kuravapura if he earned more than his usual profit. Vallabhesh was robbed and beheaded near Kuravapura. Sripada Srivallabha Swamy appeared there and killed the robbers with his Trishul. The severed head of Vallabhesh was reattached to his body, and the grace of Sripada Srivallabha Swamy brought his life back.

The Architecture of the Sri Pada Sri Vallabha Temple

The Sripada Srivallabha Temple features a typical South Indian temple architectural style. Sripada established it. Sri Sajjanagada Ramaswamy started developing the temple in 1966.

The Sripada Srivallabha Temple has three two-story buildings with 47 rooms and two small halls. There is also a dormitory to accommodate nearly 70 people and a large dining hall that can feed 120 people at a time. The temple is under the management of the Sri Pada Srivallabha Seva Samsthanam. Adi Shankaracharya and Dattatreya flank Sripada Srivallabha Swamy in the sanctum. All the three idols are adorned with flower garlands. There is a circumambulatory path around the sanctum. Visitors can see different portraits of Dattatreya.

Festivals in the Sri Pada Sri Vallabha Temple

The Sripada Srivallabha Temple celebrates every Purnima, especially Guru Purnima, very grandly. The Sripada Srivallabha Temple conducts main Homas like Chandi Homa, Navagraha Homa, Lakshmi Ganapati Homa, and Sani Pradosha Pooja every month.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Sri Pada Sri Vallabha Temple

The first incarnation of Dattatreya is Sripada Srivallabha. In the Sripada Srivallabha Temple, priests do Abishekams with Panchamrutham (Cow Milk, Cow's Curd, Cow Ghee, Honey, and Sugar) to his Padhukas. They perform Abishekams by chanting Rudra Namaka Chamakam. By performing this seva, devotees believe that Sripada Srivallabha Swamy will bless them abundantly and grant their wishes. He has the power to destroy the difficulties, miseries, and obstacles in the lives of his dedicated devotees.