PITHAPURAM

PITHAPURAM is a small town in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is famous as one of the eighteen shakti peethas of India. It is also famous for Lord Kukkuteshwara Swamy Temple, Kunthimadhava Swamy and Sri Pada Vallabha Anaagha Datha Kshethram, Agraharam, Sri Venu Gopala Swamy Temple. It is located at about 20 km from Kakinada and 75 km from Rajahmundry.

According to “Bhimeswara Purana” of Srinath kavi Sarvabhuma, Pithapuram is one of the twelve pilgrims (Dwadasa Punya Keshatras). The sage told that Pithapuram is equalent to Kasi and also known as Southern Kasi (Dakshina Kasi). Pithapuram is third one of three Gayas of India, the first is Gaya in Bihar, and the second is Nabi Gaya in Odisha.