Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/eHRBbggShNA
Location:
“Tripurantakam, Andhra Pradesh”
Location:
“Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi Temple, 2C3H+4QX, Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh
523327”
References:
https://ourtemples.info/temple/shiva-temple-tripuranthakam-andhra-pradesh-523326/
Tripuranthakam is a village in Prakasam district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It
is the mandal headquarters of Tripuranthakam mandal in Markapur revenue division.
Legend:
According to Shiva Purana, Shiva destroyed Tripurasuras (or,
demons ruling three cities) here. After his destruction of the demons and the
three cities they inhabited, Shiva was given the name "Tripuranthakeswara"
and the place was named "Tripuranthakam". Sri Parvati sahita
Tripurantakeswara swamy temple is located on the top of the hill named Kumara
Giri and there is a secret underground passage to Srisaila Kshetram from this
temple premises.
Below the hill inside of a pond is the Bala Thripura Sundari
temple. Tripurantaka Bala Tripurasundari Devi (swayambhu) is the first
incarnation of Adiparasakthi. She is
believed to reside there in the form of a little girl. She helped Lord Siva in destruction of
Tripurasuras. Goddess here is
decorated with silver ornaments and always is decorated with lemon fruit
campaign. Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Aadishankaracharya had installed Srichakram
infront of Sri Bala Tripurasundari Ammavaru. Since the installation of Srichakram,
Kumkumarchana is being done daily here. This is an holy place where a
collection of Saivam, Sakteya, Kapalika Sampradayas can be seen. In ancient
days many Sages and saints had performed penance here and also practiced
mantrika, tantrika vidya and also siddha yoga here.
*Adi Parashakti, also known as the Divine Mother or
Mahashakti, is a supreme goddess in the Hindu tradition, particularly
within the Shakta tradition. She is considered the primordial energy, the
ultimate reality, and the source of all creation, sustenance, and
destruction. All other deities are seen as manifestations or forms of Adi
Parashakti.
The presiding deity in the garbhagudi,
represented by the lingam, is
known as Sri Bala Tripurantakeswara. It is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams* sung
by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Appar. This temple is very near to Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.
This is also one of the Sakthi Peetams.
*Vaippu
Sthalams are Hindu temples in South India that are referenced in the
Tevaram hymns, a collection of songs praising Shiva composed by the Shaiva
Nayanar saints. They are distinct from Paadal Petra Sthalams, which are
temples that the saints themselves visited and sang about. Vaippu Sthalams
are considered sacred places of worship, even if the saints did not personally
visit them.
Sri
Veerabhadra Swamy is also located in the temple after Garbhalaya. There is a
cave in this temple which starts from this temple and ends at Srisailam temple.
In ancient days saints and sages performed penance and yoga, Dhyanas in this
cave and making journeys from Srisailam to this temple. There is a Chamarakarna
Ganapathi idol at the South West corner of the temple. Sri Chamarakarna
Ganapathi idol is 6 feet in height and gives a great Sarshan to the devotees.
There are many places in these temples like Kadamba Vruksham, Siddi Gruha, Sri
chakram, Aparajeswara Temple and there are nearby few temples of Lord Siddi
Ganapathi, Goddess Parvati Temple made with Rock stones etc., Kadamba Vruksham
is very famous tree of which Lord Tripura Sundari Devi likes alot. We can see
this tree only in Kasi and then in this place. Srichakram- Earlier, Lord
Tripurasundari Devi was in Ugra Roopam where devotees were afraid to Darshan
her. So, Sri Aadi Shankaracharya established Sri chakram to make her cool, so
that all the devotees can visit this punyaskhetram and can fulfill their
lives.
Tripuranthakam is considered as eastern gateway of Srisailam.
Architecture
of the Shiva Temple
The
temple is located on the top of the hill where there is a ghat road to reach by
vehicles. And also there are steps for devotees who wish to reach the temple by
walk. There is a Rajagopura at the entrance of the temple with a height of
nearly 80 feet. The great sculpture of the temple exhibits the glory of Hindava
dharma. The construction style of this temple is mostly different from all
other temples in Prakasam district.
In
general, a typical Dravidian style is followed with a big compound and a
central shrine above the garbhagudi.
How to Reach:
By
Road: The location is around 42 KMs
from Markapur, 135 KMs from Ongole and 250 KMs from Hyderabad. Buses regularly
ply to Triurantakam bus stand from major cities for Darshan.
By
Rail: Nearest railway station is Kurichedu which is around 24 KMs from the
temple
By
Air: The nearest airport is vijaywada around 155 KMs
Timings:
Morning
Timing - 05:30 AM To 11:00 AM
Closing Timing - 03:00 PM To 19:00 PM
Stay options:
Markapur around 47 KMs is the nearest place to stay
with ample hotels and residencies. For the temple, there are Dharmashalas
avaialable. Limited options are available at Tripuranthakam town also.
Nearby Places to
visit:
1)
Markapur Chennakesava
swamy temple
2)
Chandavaram Buddhist
Site
3)
Podili Sri Parvati
sametha Nirma Maheswara Swami Temple, Podili