Samudra Manthan story: If you go to any Shiva temple, you will see Shivalinga or the idol of Lord Shankar in the sanctum sanctorum, but there is a unique temple associated with Shiva, where Shin is seated in a lying posture (sleeping posture). In the local language this currency is called ‘Bhogan’. He is resting with his head in the lap of Goddess Parvati. Let us know about this amazing temple and the mythological mystery hidden behind it…
This rare temple of Lord Shiva is located in Surutpally village of Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. It is also known as ‘Pallikondeshwara Temple’. Due to its proximity to the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, devotees from every corner of the country come to visit this unique resting idol of the Lord. This temple was built by Harihar Bukka Raya during the Vijayanagara Empire between 1344 and 1377 AD.
What is the mythology behind this temple?
According to Sthal Purana, the story of this place is related to the churning of the ocean. When the gods and demons started churning the ocean with the help of Mandarachal mountain and Vasuki serpent to attain immortality, Vasuki serpent, unable to bear the extreme pressure, spat out a terrible poison from his mouth. The gods and demons prayed to Lord Shiva to save the entire creation from the flame of poison. Then the merciful Lord Shiva took the form of Vishabhakaran idol and himself drank that terrible poison.
Shiva in Parvati’s lap
After consuming poison, Lord Shiva felt a little dizzy and tired. He lay down there. Seeing this, his wife Mother Parvati placed Shiva’s head in her lap and gently pressed his neck to prevent the poison from entering the body. Shiva’s throat turned blue as the poison remained in his throat. After this incident Lord Shiva got the name ‘Neelkanth’.
What is the reason for naming ‘Surutapalli’?
When Lord Shiva was resting in the lap of Goddess Parvati, all the gods, sages and nine planets including Lord Brahma gathered there to know about the health of Shiva. Because of that huge gathering of gods, the place was named ‘Surutapalli’ (Surut means gathering of gods).
Relation of Trayodashi and Pradosh period with this temple
On the thirteenth day of Samudra Manthan (Trayodashi Tithi) Lord Vishnu appeared with a vessel full of nectar. The gods who received the nectar were extremely pleased and ran towards Surutappalli to thank Lord Shiva for his sacrifice to save them. It is believed that this incident happened in the evening when all the gods had come to Shiva. This is called Pradosh Kaal. This time is considered extremely auspicious in Hindu religion because ‘Pradosh’ means getting freedom from all the negativity and sins within us.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.
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