Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple

Introduction to the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple

Kotappakonda Temple, or Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple, is on a holy Kotappakonda hill, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The hill appears with three peaks when watched from any direction. The three peaks are believed to be Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Hence, it is called Trikutadri.

Legend of the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple

The Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple has many interesting legends. As per legend, Shiva transformed into Dakshinamurti after destroying Daksha's Yagna. When Dakshinamurti was performing austerities in Kailash, Brahma visited him along with other deities and requested him to enlighten them.

Shiva said that he would bless them with wisdom when they visited Trikutachala. When Brahma and others came to Trikutachala, they received enlightenment from Shiva. The temple at this place is called the old Kotappa temple.

The Architecture of the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple

According to the temple inscriptions, the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple existed before 1172 AD. King Krishnadevaraya donated large pieces of land for the maintenance of the temple. Vijayanagara kings and Sri Rajamal Raju Narasimha Rayulu contributed to this temple.

Sri Raja Malraju Narasimharayani, the landlord of Narasaraopet, built the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple in AD 1761. He and the Narasaraopet colonists were the permanent trustees of the temple. They created many facilities for the devotees. The original name of this place was Kondakavuru. But it is more popular among the devotees as Kotappakonda or Trikuta Parvatham.

Kotappakonda hill is 1587 feet high. There are four temples located in the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple complex. One is at the hill base, the other two are at an elevation, and the main shrine is at a height of 600 feet. As per mythology, Shiva himself selected this place for his meditation. People climb 1000 steps to reach the main temple.

The presiding deity is Sri Trikoteswara Swamy, an incarnation of Shiva. He graces in the form of Shiva Lingam.

Many ponds are seen on the hill, and eight are before the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple. The main temple is on the Brahma hill. The Paata Kotayya temple is on the Shiva Hill. It is the original place where Trikoteswara Swamy existed, and he later moved on to Brahma Hill.

Shiva was relocated to Brahma hill by the ardent devotion of Gollabhama. Since then, it has been called Paata Kotayya temple. Generally, devotees worship the Gollabhama temple first before visiting the main deity in the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple.

Papanaseshwara temple is on the Vishnu hill. Here, Vishnu performed penance to please Shiva. The temple has a holy pond called "Papanasa Theertha."

Nagendra Swamy Putta is present above the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple. Devotees climb 60 steps to reach it.

Sri Raja Malraju Narasimharayani, the Narasaraopet Zamindar, constructed the steps in 1761. Visitors can see the Vinayaka temple and Bochu Kotayya temple at the place where the steps begin. The Gollabhama temple is at the end of the steps.

Kodela Siva Prasad Rao constructed the Ghat road in 1999. The temple also developed gardens as a part of ecotourism, transforming Kotappakonda hill into a pilgrim center attracting lakhs of pilgrims.

Pilgrims can see the Vijaya Ganapati temple and Sai Baba temple at the entrance of the Ghat road. Children's Park, Museum, and a statue of Kaliya Mardana are situated in the middle of the Ghat road.

Festivals in the Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple

The Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple celebrates Mahashivratri, Purnima, Ekadashi, Karthikai Masam, and Mondays, which are special for Shiva.

A big fair is held during Mahashivratri every year. Over seven lakh people visit Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple on this occasion. The devotees from the surrounding village build bamboo frames decorated with colored papers and lights. This entire celebration is called Prabhas.