Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple: Timings, History, Pooja Cost, How to Reach

Located in Pithapuram, Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple is 20 km from Kakinada. It is one of the 18 Shakthipithas in India. The primary deity here is Lord Shiva in the form of cock. The goddess here is Puruhutika Devi.

Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple is built on Dravidian style architecture. A pond is there in this temple where Gayasura is believed to have laid his feet. October to March is the best time to visit this temple to enjoy the winter. You can find the Gayasura statue along with Lord Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu.

Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple History

There is a mythological story about a demon king named Gayasura who ruled the three Lokas and heaven through his sacrifice and penance. Lord Indra and other deities defeated by Gayasura went to Trumurthies and asked them to restore their position.

The Trimurthies disguised themselves as Brahmins and approached Gayasura. Gayasura is a generous and kind person who helps people ask for charity. He received the Trimurthies warmly and received their blessing.

They asked him for a sacred place for sacrifice, which he promised to give them. The Trimurthies asked for his body, and he agreed to it. The sages, deities, and materials were gathered, and Gajasura was requested to start the Yaaga.

He extended his body from Gaya to Pitampur and asked them to start it. It was intended to finish within seven days starting from early in the morning. After six days, the deities asked for help from Lord Shiva to spoil it.

Lord Shiva crowed at midnight in the form of a cock. Gayasura started moving thinking that the Yaaga was over, which angered the sages. The sages asked him for a boon before they were about to kill him. He answered that he did not have personal desires.

He requested Lord Vishnu to stay at his head, Lord Brahma at his naval cavity, and Lord Shiva as a cock permanently below his feet. These three places became holy places.