Pattiseema Veerabhadra Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Address

Pattiseema Veerabhadra Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Pattiseema – Koyyalagudem Rd,

West Godavari,

Andhra Pradesh 534315

Moolavar

Veerabhadra

Amman

Bhadra Kali

Introduction

1. Location:
   • Veerabhadra Temple is located on Devakuta Parvatham, a hillock on an islet amidst the Godavari River, near Pattiseema in West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.
   • The temple is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, a manifestation of Lord Shiva.
   • It is one of the ‘Pancha Kasi Kshetras’ (five important peaceful places) mentioned in the Skanda Puranam.
2. Puranic Significance:
   • The temple is closely associated with the legend of Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva from the Skanda Puranam.
   • Dakshaprajapati, the father of Goddess Sati, performed a Yagna but did not invite Lord Shiva and Sati. Goddess Sati went to the Yagna anyway, but was insulted by her father. In response to the insult, Sati self-immolated at the Yagna.
   • Lord Shiva became enraged and, from his matted hair, created Veerabhadra (a fierce warrior form) and Bhadrakali.
   • Veerabhadra destroyed Dakshaprajapati’s Yagna, decapitated Daksha, and then performed the Rudra Thandavam on Devakuta Parvatha.
   • To pacify him, the gods, especially Sage Agasthya, intervened, and Veerabhadra was asked to settle in this region as a Shiva Linga (self-manifested) on the hillock, as described in the Skanda Puranam.
   • Veerabhadra Swamy is said to have cleaned his Pattisam (warrior’s instrument) in the Godavari River, after which the place came to be known as Pattisam or Pattisachala Kshetram.
   • The temple, constructed by Vishwakarma (the divine architect), is believed to date back to the 12th century, built by the Reddy Kings.
3. Special Features:
   • Kshetra Palaka of the temple is Bhavannarayana Swamy. The main shrine is Lakshmi Sahitha Sri Bhavannarayana Swamy, one of the Five Bhavannarayana Swamy Temples in India, all located in Andhra Pradesh.
   • Other deities in the temple complex include:
     • Sita Ramabhadra Swamy Temple
     • Kala Bhairava Temple
     • Subrahmanya Swamy
     • Goddess Saraswati
     • Lakshmi Ganapati
     • Suryanarayana Swamy
     • Sri Thandava Veerabhadra Swamy.
   • A large Hanuman statue is located at the Pattiseema Boating Point.
   • Nearby, there is Elephant Hill (Aanugu Shila), where the story of Gajendra Moksha is associated, wherein Lord Vishnu granted salvation to an elephant.

Century/Period

12th century

Managed By

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Nearest Bus Station

Pattiseema village

Nearest Railway Station

Rajahmundry Junction

Nearest Airport

Rajahmundry

Location on Map

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