Shri Puruhitika Devi

Sri Puruhutika Devi temple is an important Ashta Dasha Shakthi Peetha. Devi Sati is worshipped as Puruhutika and Lord Shiva as Kukkuteswara Swamy. It is believed that the Seat of Sati devi had fallen here when Lord Vishnu cut her corpse with the Sudarshana Chakra. Sri Puruhutika Devi temple is located within the temple complex of Kukkuteswara Swamy, on the outskirts of the village Pithapuram in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Pithapuram is around 12 kms from Samalkota and 20 kms from Kakinada and 62 kms from Rajahmundry. On entering the temple there is a pond which is called as Padagaya sarovaram (Pada Gaya Sarovar). Pilgrims take holy bath in this pond. Main temple of Kukkuteswara swamy is present towards the right side of the pond. Puruhutika Devi temple is present in the North-East corner of the Kukkuteswara swamy temple. It is constructed facing south. Puruhutika Devi temple is small in size but looks very nice with the carvings of Ashtadasa Shakti peethason its walls. It is believed that the original statue of Devi is buried under the temple in the same place. This complex has a Sarovar after taking bath people offer prayers to their ancestors, as this temple complex is called Pada Gaya. It has Gayasura’s Padas (Feet) and Vishnu Padas (Feet). Gayasura’s body was cut in three portions and out of that Head has fallen at Siro Gaya (Called Gaya in Bihar) Below chest (Nabhi) portion has fallen in Nabhi Gaya (Jajpur in Orissa)and the Legs (Padas) have fallen here hence called Pada Gaya.