Sivadevuni Chikkala, Andhra Pradesh

Address

Sivadevuni Chikkala, Andhra Pradesh

Shivadevuni Chikkala,

Andhra Pradesh 534245

Moolavar

Sivadeva Swami (Siva)

Amman

Parvati

Introduction

1. Location:
   • Sivadevuni Chikkala is situated near Palakol, Andhra Pradesh, approximately 8 km from Palakol, en route to Bhimavaram.
   • The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for the white Sivalingam installed by Lord Hanuman.
2. Puranic Significance:
   • The temple is tied to the legend of Lord Rama, who, after killing Ravana, wanted to perform pooja to Lord Shiva at Rameswaram to atone for his sin.
   • Maharshi Vasishta, the guru of Rama, fixed an auspicious time (muhurtham) for installing the Sivalingam.
   • Lord Rama instructed Hanuman to bring a Sivalingam from Kasi for the pooja.
   • Hanuman chose a large, beautiful white Sivalingam from Kasi and placed it in a chikkam (nest of threads) to carry it back to Rameswaram.
   • On the way, Hanuman stopped at Sivadevuni Chikkala for his Sandhyavandanam (sun worship). He placed the chikkam there while performing his ritual.
   • Upon completing his worship, Hanuman was unable to lift the lingam back up, realizing that the lingam had been self-installed at the auspicious muhurtham.
   • Unable to remove it, Hanuman fetched another Sivalingam from Kasi. Meanwhile, Lord Rama had already completed his worship using a Saikata Lingam (sand lingam) at Rameswaram, as the time for the installation had passed.
   • This event led to the name Sivadevuni Chikkala, meaning “The place of the Siva Lingam in the nest”.
3. Beliefs:
   • Devotees who wish for children plant a coconut tree in the temple garden. The belief is that their wish will be fulfilled within a year of planting the tree.
4. Special Features:
   • The area was once a forest, and the discovery of the white Sivalingam was made by farmers who were digging the land. Upon finding blood coming out of the earth, they realized it was a divine sign and informed the king of Mogalturu.
   • The king attempted to extract the lingam, but it could not be moved. A temple was subsequently constructed, and regular worship began.
   • The temple complex also includes a Parvati temple facing south, and a Lakshmi Narayana temple.
   • A beautiful, large lake lies behind the temple.
   • The temple is believed to be over 1,000 years old.

Century/Period

1000years old.

Nearest Bus Station

Palakol

Nearest Railway Station

Lankalakoderu 

Nearest Airport

Tirupati 

Location on Map

lightuptemple