Destination guide
About Pithapuram
A pilgrimage town with over 1,500 years of documented history in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.
Pithapuram is located in the East Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, roughly 20 km from Kakinada and about 75 km from Rajahmundry. Known in ancient inscriptions as Pishtapura, it is referenced in Samudragupta's Prayaga inscription (c. 350 CE) and served as the first capital of the Eastern Chalukyas in the 7th century before the dynasty moved its capital to Vengi.
Today, Pithapuram is best known as a multi-faith pilgrimage destination — home to a Pancharama Kshetra of Lord Shiva, a Maha Shakti Peetha of the Goddess, one of India's recognised Gaya Kshetras for ancestral rites, and the birthplace associated with Sripada Sri Vallabha of the Datta tradition. Few towns bring together this many pilgrimage traditions in one place.
Temples & sacred sites
Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple
Lord Shiva (as Kukkuteswara), with consort Rajarajeswari Devi
One of the five Pancharama Kshetras — an ancient and revered group of Shiva temples in the Godavari region. The presiding deity is a Swayambhu (self-manifested) Spatika (crystal) Lingam.
- •Swayambhu Spatika Lingam sanctum
- •Eka Sila Nandi — a Nandi carved from a single stone
- •Major festivals: Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri, Karthika Masam, and the temple's own Maghabahula Ekadasi
- •Referenced in the Skanda Purana and in Samudragupta's c. 350 CE Prayaga inscription (as Pishtapura)
Sri Puruhutika Devi Temple
Goddess Puruhutika Devi
Located within the Kukkuteswara Temple complex, this is one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas of Shaktism — traditionally counted as the 10th Shakti Peetha.
- •Situated on the same premises as Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple
- •A major stop for Devi worship, especially during Navaratri
Pada Gaya Sarovar
Sacred kshetra for ancestral (pitru) rites
A sacred pond/kshetra held to carry the same spiritual significance for last rites as Gaya in Bihar — which is why Pithapuram is counted among India's Gaya Kshetras and is a major centre for pitru karma rituals such as Pinda Pradanam, Tarpanam and Shraddha Karma.
- •One of the principal Gaya Kshetras in India
- •Rituals typically performed with the guidance of local purohits
- •Especially significant during Pitru Paksha / Mahalaya Paksha
Sri Sripada Srivallabha Datta Temple
Lord Dattatreya, at the site associated with Sripada Sri Vallabha
Pithapuram is closely associated with Sripada Sri Vallabha, revered in the Datta tradition as the first incarnation of Lord Dattatreya, born here in the 14th century.
- •A key destination on the Datta pilgrimage circuit
- •Daily sevas typically include Suprabhata Seva, Abhishekam and Datta Homam
- •Special observance: Sri Pada Jayanthi
Planning your visit
Temple and homam timings vary by season and by festival calendar, and can change — always confirm current darshan and seva timings closer to your visit. MohanTrips can help you plan your itinerary around the temple schedule, the ritual you want to perform, and a comfortable place to stay nearby.