Kotappakonda Temple

Kotappakonda have numerous interesting legends which are celebrated by devotees keeping alive traditions and significance of place.

Dakshinamurthy

After destruction of Daksha Yagnam, with death of Sati, Lord Shiva was filled with sorrow, cynicism and furious roamed all worlds for several manvantara. He later pacified himself to take form of 12 year old boy named Dakshinamurthy and started penance by doing meditation on Rudra hill in Trikoota hills. Bramha and other gods performed meditation on Bramha hill. Lord Shiva pleased with dedication, provided divine knowledge (Bramhopadesam). Later Lord Vishnu also performed meditation and got divine knowledge on Vishnu hill. Temple of Dakshinamurthy is on Rudra hill. This is also called as Patha Kotaiah temple.

Trikooteswara Swamy

Legend of Anandavalli praying Lord Shiva to come downhill from Rudra hill is reason we are able to easily visit Trikoteswara swamy and take his blessings.

Sundudu / Nandaiah and his wife Kundari a cowheard family lived in Elamandha village which is 6km on south side of Trikooda hills. Their beautiful daughter a great devotee of Jangamadevara (A form of Lord Shiva) used to sing songs and performed penance to Jangamadevara. One day she went to Patha Kotaiah temple on Rudra hill along with her female companion and performed abhishekam to Dakshinamurty Shivalingam. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of sage meditating sitting before shivalingam. Anandavalli immediately recognized divine glow and understood that he is none other than Jangamadevara. With overwelmed devotion anandavalli daily visited and offered milk to sage but he never spoke to her.

One day anandavalli kept water pot on a rock while climbing hill and went for maredudalalu (sacred leaves). When returned found pot broken by crow. Furious that efforts gone vain cursed ‘No crow should fly on Trikoota hills !!!’. Jangamadevara to test her devotion with divine power made her pregnant. Anandavalli never stopped to bring milk even it is near her due date of pregnancy. Pleased with her devotion, sage asked her to make a wish. As it is becoming difficult for her to climb hill, she wished him to come downhill. Sage told Anandavalli to lead way. He also informed not to turn back at any circumstances and followed her till Bramha hill. Anandavalli is hearing all kinds of destructive, Rock breaking and horrific sounds throughout the way. Worried and curious if some harm came to sage, she turned back. Sage turned into self-manifested Shivalinga, A son born to Anandavalli and vanished. Learned by mistake she prayed to Jangamadevara for salvation and turned into statue. All devotees worship self-manifested Shivalinga as Trikooteswara Swamy also known as Kotaiah Swamy. Devotees visit Anandavalli / Gollabhama before visiting Kotaiah Swamy.

By Bus

Pallevelugu Bus (Local Bus) facility will be available from nearby towns Narasaraopeta and Chilakalurpeta. You can’t find buses from Guntur or Vijayawada Directly. You have to first reach Narasaraopeta or Chilakalurpeta. Bus route will take you directly to Kotappakonda main entrance where nearby stairway start.

1. Narasaraopet to Kotappakonda Temple – 13km (30min).
2. Chilakalurpeta to Kotappakonda Temple – 17km (40min)

By Train

Train facility is available from major stations till Narasaraopet. From there Bus facility as given details above need to be availed.

By Air

Nearest airport is in Vijayawada / Bezawada Airport. One can take train from Vijayawada to Narasaraopet and take bus to Kotappakonda from there. Airport is located in Gannavaram (Local place in Vijayawada) which is around 114km.