SREE PALLIKONDEESWARAR TEMPLE, SURUTTAPALLI

SREE PALLIKONDEESWARAR TEMPLE, SURUTTAPALLI

On 7th December 2018, I went to Surutappalli and had darshan at Pallikondeeswarar temple, Andhra Pradesh.   Surutapalli is on the Andhra side of the border between Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh.  Uthukkottai is on the Tamilnadu side and is 26 kms from Thiruvallur.  Suruttappalli is at 2km from the Uththukootai bus stand and on the Uthukottai-Nagalapuram route.   Those who would like to travel the distance of 60 kms from Chennai has to take buses on the route of Uthukottai and having destinations of Pichchaattur, Puttur, Nagari, Nagalapuram and Tirupati and can get down on the entrance to the temple.   Poondi is on the way when one takes the route of Thiruvallur, where the water from the Krishna which is let at Kandaleru is stored and branched to various canals with 15 locks.  The anaicut is known as Sathiamurthy anaicut and the road built around the water storage gives ample opportunity to enjoy the place as a tourist spot though there are no shops or restaurants around.  One has to take all time passing items along with them.  Poondi is at a distance of 18 kms from Uthukkottai. 

There are many temples around Arani River and Surutapalli is on the Northern Bank of the river.  As you enter the temple complex, on the outside itself, is the Nandhi on a big pedastal.  

The Pallikondeeswarar temple has lot of open space and there are 3 shops within the complex which sell pooja items and also books on temple.   The entrance Gopuram is a 3 tier one and one enters the temple precincts, on the left side is the sannidhi of Margathambika and Valmeekiswarar with a mandapa with 16 pillars in front. In the entrance to Maragathambika sannidhi, instead of Dwarapalakas, Sankanidi with his wife Vasundarai and Padmanidhi with his wife Vasumathi give us darshan. The vinayagar at the entry of Margathambika is made of Salagaramam. In the arthamandapa here, on the right is the Karpaga Viruksha and Kamadhenu is on the left side.  Around the Prakara of the Goddess, as we circumbulate are the Nalvars - Appar, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar and then Vinayagar.  Opposite to Lingothbhavar is Jurahareswarar with 3 hands and 3 legs with Agni in hand, Vishnu, Bhairavar, Valmiki Maharishi with head covered, Yegapathamurthy and Swami Ayyappan. Dakshinamurthy here is very special with consort on the lap known as Dhambathya Dakshinamurthy,  On the Vayu moolai is the Valli devasena sametha Subramanyar Sannidhi.  Next is Sree Rajamathangi.   Further, as we proceed is Brahma, Chandikeswarar and Gnana Durgai.  Then is the goddess Kasi Vishalakshi and on the other side here is Sree Venugopalaswamy and Adhikara nandhi in standing posture with hands in prayers.  Then as we come out is Swayambu Lingam -Valmikiswarar and Sage Valmiki prayed here and hence the name. Opposite to him is the sannidhi of Ramalingeswar and on either side in front of this lingam are Sita, Rama, lakshmanan, Bharatha and Chathrugana. The Nandhi in front of Valmikiswarar is known as Pradhosha Nandhi and he views the Eswaran though apertures made in the sannidhi.   

In the prakara of Maragathambika, a stone with Pathams of Lava Kusa can be seen.

After having darshan of Valmikiswarar, we can go to Northern side of the temple where the Sannidhi of Pallikondeeswarar is.  Ambal sree Sarvamangala on sitting posture and Lord keeps his head on the lap of her and takes rest.  He was feeling dizzy after taking the poison while churning the Parkadal, (Surutta- feeling dizzy in Telugu) and thus takes rest by lying down. (Palli)  Around them are Brihu Maharishi, Brahma, Vishnu, Margandeyar, Narathar, Chandiran, Kuberan, Suriyan, Agasthiyar, Pulathiyar, Gowthamar, Thumburar, Vashistar, Viswamitrar, Valmiki and Devendran. At a lower level are the Vinayagar and valli, devasena sametha Subramanyar.  

The hills near Surutapalli is known as Bhrammagiri and Brahma has conducted various Yagnas here.   Lord Siva who was pleased with the Yagnas appeared here and gave the boons what Brahma sought for and appeared at 5 places around Arani River and these places are known as Pancha siva sthalas or Pancha Brahma Sthalas.

They are: Surutapalli, Ramgiri, Periyapalayam, Ariyathurai and Arani.


Temple Timings:

The temple presently is gearing up for the Mahakumbabhishekam on 23 01 2019, Wednesday and HH Sree Vijayendra Saraswathi of Kanchikamakodi Peetam will be heading the functions.  Hence the balalayam is under way and only the darshan of the deities Maragathambigai, valmikiswarar and Pallikondeeswarar can be had at present.