Kotappakonda, Guntur

Kotappakonda, the abode of Trikoteswara Swamy, is a village 13 kilometres south west of Narasaraopet in Guntur district. The village was originally named Kondakavuru, but is more popular as Kotappakonda or Trikutaparvatam, a three-peaked hill nearby. Though surrounded by other hillocks, the three hills are also known by the names of Trikutachalam or Trikutadri. These can be distinctly seen from a distance from any direction. The three peaks are named after the Hindu Triumvirate, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.

The epigraphs at Kotappakonda clearly state that the deity established in the shape of Shivalinga on the hill top is known as Trikuteswara or Trikoteswara. A steep flight of steps lead to the hill and the deity is located at a height of 1,587 feet. There are a number of ponds on the hill, of which eight are located in front of the temple.

The sleepy village comes alive on the eve of Mahashivaratri. Milling crowds occupy every inch of the space in and around the hill. Prabhas, which are rectangular frames made of bamboo and decorated with coloured cloth and paper, of different sizes are taken in procession as part of the festival. Most of them are 60 to 70 feet high and are carried by the devotees. Giant prabhas, which are over 100 feet, are carried on decorated bullock carts, and are placed on a meadow at the foot of the hill.

A small lake, depicting Kaleeya Nardhana, exists on the hill. A statue of Lord Krishna dancing on the head of Kaleeya (a venomous snake) is placed with special lighting effects in the middle of the lake. Water flows into the lake from various watersheds.

Another attraction for the tourists is the artificial Jurassic Park with mobile dinosaurs developed by a private company at a cost of Rs 1 million. Sanctuaries for peacocks, doves, emus and parrots were developed by the forest department. Four VIP guest houses and a 30-room choultry were constructed by the endowments department and the TTD to cater to tourist needs. All this was done on a war footing in a little over two months.

Yet another feature of the integrated tourist project is the meditation centre, constructed on the lines of the one at Mount Abu, and an exclusive Yaga Shala for conducting homam (holy fire).

History

Folklore goes that the Yellamanda village’s Salankayya was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He earned his livelihood by selling firewood. With the result of undivided devotion to the Lingam at Rudra hills, he became rich. One day while performing prayers he saw Jangama Devara.

In appreciation of the devotion of Salankayya, Jangama Devara visited his house daily and consumed milk. After some time Jangama Devara disappeared. Salankayya searched for him in every nook and corner of the region and could not find him anywhere. In a fit of disappointment, Salankayya stopped taking any food and water.

Meanwhile, a cowherd called Sundudu and wife Kundiri lived towards the south Trikoota hills. They had a beautiful daughter called Anandavalli. The couple became rich soon after her birth. Anandavalli was deeply devoted to Lord Shiva and was not interested in her wordly life. She always spent her time in singing the glory of Lord Shiva and used to offer prayers at old Koteswara hills and commenced penance for Sri Koteswara Swamy. Pleased with her penance, Jangama Devara appeared before her. She came to know Jangama Devara was none other than a person, who used to take milk in the house of Salankayya. From then onwards she daily visited Rudra hills and after performing celestial bath, offered milk and part-took the balance.

Salankayya came to know the presence of Jangama Devara and appraoched Anandavalli and requested her to see that Jangama Devara showers the blessings on him. Anandavalli could not concede the request of Salankayya as she was engaged in her deep penance. Jangama Devara, pleased with her penance, appeared and imparted her the divine knowledge. This had in no way deviated her concentration and she further prayed him as God and as well as her Guru.

Jangama Devara, commiserated by her penance, wished her to lead a wordly life. With his divine power, he made her pregnant. Unmindful of her pregnancy, she carried on her daily prayers as usual. Aghasted at her deep devotion, Jangama Devara again appeared and told that she need not take so many troubles in performing poojas and promised her that he would come to her house where she could do her supplication and asked her to proceed without turning her back.

Anandavalli accordingly proceeded towards her home and Jangama Devara came down from Rudra mountain and followed her. After reaching Brahma hill, Anandavalli lost her patience and turned back. Immediately Jangama Devara reminded of her promise and stopped at Brahma hills and entered the cave of the hill and turned himself into a Lingam. The same sacred place is now called Kotha Koteswara Temple. Anandavalli also stayed there and, in the meanwhile, she delivered a boy. She repented of her action in seeing back inspite of caution given by Jangama Devara and decided to end her life. Within a moment of above thought, assailing her mind the newly born boy disappeared from the scene.

She then realised that her pregnancy and delivery of a boy were was the creation of Jangama Devara to test her reverence towards him. She felt very happy as she got through all the critical trails and became one in the God.