Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/DwnvWp4p6o8
Location: "Kotipalli Someswara Swamy Temple"
References:
https://mountainvalley.in/kotipalli-temple.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotipalli
Kotipalli: Smallest Shivling of AP while
Draksharam largest Shivling of AP. 1000 years old
Kotipalli is
an important pilgrimage center located in K Gangavaram mandal of Ramachandram
revenue division in Konaseem district of Andhra Pradesh. It is situated at
around 22KMs from Yanam, 38 Km from Kakinada, 60 Km from Rajahmundry and 15 Km
from Amalapuram Via Ferry/Boat. Kotipalli is also known as Koti Teertham and Someshwara
Swamy Temple at Kotipalli (Kumarama) is one of the five well known pancharama
shrines dedicated to Shiva in Andhra Pradesh is rich in legend and tradition
and is held in great regard.
Kotipalli
has been a great seat of Hindu learning and philosophy. One of the Acharya's of
Dwaadasaradhyas from the Srouta Saiva Siddhanta philosophy, Kotipalli
Viswaaradhya (Kashyapa Gotram) was born to Someswara and Bhavani in 12th
century AD at Kotipalli. He authored such great books as Chaturvedasaram, Vrushabhadhipa
Satakam and Basavarajeeyam and propagated Saiva Dharmas. He is also stated to
have stayed at Pamidimukkala and then in Palkurki village and hence known as
Palakurti Viswaradhya.
Kotipalli
is one of the three important ferry points for Kotipalli-Mukteswaram and the other two being
Bodasakurru-Pasarlapudi and Sakhinetipalli-Narasapuram in the Konaseema region.
Legend:
This holy
river Gowthami which is very famous for its sacred water was brought by Gowtham
Maharshi. If a person takes a bath in these holy waters of Gowthami at
Kotipalli they will be purified from all kinds of sins. For time immemorial it
has been believed that a ritual bath in the river Godavari at Kotipalli is
symbolic of a new beginning in life, a change in direction, of forgiveness of
heinous sins committed by repentant souls especially in the month of Kartika,
and on Maha Shivaratri.
Here there
are three famous idols which have been installed and established by Lord Indra,
Lord Chandra and Kashyapa Maharshi. Siddhi Janardhana Swamy along with Sridevi
and Bhudevi were established as Kshetra Palaka by Kashyapa Maharshi, Lord Indra
in order to wash away his sin installed Koteswara Lingam, which is a Yoga
Lingam, along with Sri Rajarajeswari Devi, and Further Lord Chandra established
Sri Someswara Lingam (Chaya someshwara), which is a Bhoga Lingam, with Sri
Ananpurna Devi to wash away his sin. This Someswara Lingam, which is 5 feet in
height, is a crystal Lingam and is said to glow with differing levels of
brightness depending on the phase of the moon and is housed in a two storied
sanctum, with Annapurna Devi on the 2nd floor. The Chaya someshwara (main shiva
linga) lost its glow (chaya). To regain his former
radiance Chandra was told by Vishnu to install Shiva Linga along with Raja
Rajeswari and worship them. Just beside the main shrine there is the shrine of
Siddhi Janardana Swamy flanked by Sri devi and Bhu Devi on either sides. He is
the guardian or Kshetrapalaka of this temple. Siddhi Janardana Swamy was
installed by Kasyapa Maharshi at the holy place where Lord Vishnu did penance
after sending down Bali to patala (lower world) to save gods. Beautifully carved 8' Nandi Bull and 6'
Garukmantha can be seen seated right in front of the DwajaSthambha. This place is graced by both
Shiva and Vishnu showing the unity of both these gods. On one side of temple
one can see Lord Koteswara, a Shiva Lingam submerged in water (Jala Lingam) -
installed by Lord Indra as a penance to the curse given by Gouthama Muni, In
the northern mandapa one can see the shrine of Kalabhairava and Nava-graha
temple with Mrithyunjaya Lingam and His consort Uma. A little further there is
Sankaracharya mandiram with Chandramouleeswara Lingam. It is said that Sri
Sankaracharya visited this temple once. This place is named as Kotipalii since
the worship done here will give merit equal to that of one crore times done
elsewhere.
Culture and History
Lord Shiva is worshipped as Someshwaraswamy and
Koteshwaraswamy along with his consort Parvati as Rajarajeshwari Devi. Kotipalli
is located on banks of the river Gautami-Godavari, one of the two branches of
the river Godavari. Godavari
splits into two branches - Vriddha Gautami (Gautami Godavari) and Vasishta
Godavari. Again the Gautami branch splits into two branches namely Gautami and
Nilarevu. Vengi kings of Eastern Chalukyas, who ruled this region between
7th and 12th centuries C.E. built this temple and the pond called as SomaGundam
or Soma Pushkarini during their rule. In the inner sanctum one can see a Chaya
Someswara Swamy's Shiva Lingam along with the idol of Annapurna. There is
a big water tank in front of the temple which is known as Soma Pushkarini. His
Holiness Kanchi Kama Koti Peethadhipathi and his Holiness Shringeri Jagadguru
visited this holy kshetram. In the premises of the temple there are 4
Pradakshina Mandapams. In this Mandapams there is a Kalabhairava Swamy temple
and Shankaracharya Mandir along with Chandra Mouliswara Lingam, and a Navagraha
temple along with Uma Sametha Mrityunjaya Lingam.
Every day in the early hours the Abhishekam for the
Lord is done with this Koti Theertham water which is brought by Archakas
(priests).
Architectural Style
Dravidian style with a main Gopuram at the entrance.
The temple is enclosed in a big compound, a typical style of South Indian
Dravidian styles.
Festivals
1)
Magha Bahula Chaturdashi also known
as Maha shivaratri which is celebrated in the month of Feb/Mar
2)
Sri Swami Vari Kalyanam
(Visakha Suddha Ekadashi) celebrated in the May, Navarathri festival (Aswayuja Suddha
Padyami to Dwadashi) celebrated in the month of October)
3)
Ksheerabdi Dwadashi Teppotsavam
during Kartika Masam also known as the month of November.
4) Sarannavarathri
festival (Aswayuja Suddha Padyami to Dwadasi) (October).
How to reach Kotipalli
By Air: Rajamundry Airport – 65 km
By Train: Kakinada Town Railway Station – 38 km, Rajahmundry
Railway Station – 62.7 km
By Bus: Kakinada – 38 km, Rajahmundry – 60 km, Amalapuram –
15 km, Draksharamam – 10 km, Yanam (Puducherry)-22 KMs
Timings to
Visit
Everyday 07:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 02:30 PM – 08:00 PM
Photography
No one restricted us, but
main garbagriha photography is restricted. Mobile cameras are never restricted
Usage of Drone should be
done from a distance outside the temple, may be from other side of the pond
Route and Location:
Kakinada or Yanam are ideal places to stay.
No staying options near the temple as such. We were staying in Yanam, so we
followed the following route to cover few more locations:
