Sri Siddheswara Swamy Temple in Tallapaka
There are many temples in different parts of our country for Lord Shiva. Since ancient times, many deities, sages have worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a Linga. Many Shiva temples are said to have been constructed by Sri Ramachandramurti.
One of such temples established by Lord Rama in the Threta Yuga is Sri Siddheswara Swamy Temple in Tallapaka. After Sri Rama, Lord Shiva in Tallapaka received the worship of many sages and Siddhas. Hence, Swamy is named ‘Siddheswara’.
Tallapaka is located at a distance of eight kilometers from the Rajampeta town in Kadapa district. Tallapaka is the birthplace of Padakavithapithamaha Tallapaka Annamacharya. Previously the place is known as Tatipaka. The people of the area used to live in a palm-leaf hut. The hut is also known as Paka in Telugu. Later Tatipaka changed to Tallapaka.
Legend
There is an interesting Sthalapurana about the temple and God. As per legend, Sri Ramachandra Murthy established Sri Siddheswara Swamy here during the Treta Yuga. Sri Ramachandra Murthy along with Sita Lakshmana during their Vanavasam (exile) visited this place known as Dandakaranya.
Sitadevi was attracted by the natural beauty of the place and asked Lord Rama to stay in the area for some time. Lord Rama agreed and stayed here for some time. During this period Lord Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a Linga. After that Lord Rama left the place and the sages worshipped this Shiva Linga. This Shiva Linga disappeared at the beginning of Kaliyuga.
In Kaliyuga the Siddhapurushas who came to this place in their journey identified the Shiva linga surrounded by trees and bushes. They cleaned up the surrounding areas, built a temple, and performed pujas. Historical sources reveal that the ancestors of the Tallapaka Annamacharya including the father of the Tallapaka Annamayya were priests in this temple.
History of the temple
According to historical sources, the temple was built by the Chola kings around the 11th century AD. It is believed that the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara emperors, and the local rulers developed the temple. During the last decade, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams developed the temple. At present, the temple is administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Temple Structure
Sri Siddheswara Swamy Temple is located in a spacious courtyard. The temple faces east. To the opposite of the main temple, there are Nandeeswara, Dwajastambam, and Balipeetham. The main temple consists of Mukhamandapa, Antaralayam and Garbhalayam. In the main sanctum sanctorum, we find Lord Sri Siddheswara Swamy in the form of a Linga. Opposite Swamy, there is a small Nandeeswara. In Antaralaya we can see the Utsavamurthis.
In temple Mukhamandapa there is a separate temple for Deveri of Siddheswara Swamy. In this temple, we can see Goddess Sri Kamakshi Devi facing south. We can see Maha Ganapati, Siddhi Ganapati, Dakshinamoorthy, Valli Devasena sametha Sri Subramanya Swamy in Mukhamandapa.
It is said that a sage named VekaTatayya used to live in this area. Once he had a headache. He used many medications for headaches but, he was not relieved of it. He reached the place with a severe headache and was about to break his head. Then Swamy appeared and gave relief from headache and gave a boon to Veka Tatayya that those who suffer from headaches should be relieved if their head touches Veka Tatayya’s head.
We can find Veka Tatayya’s image in Mukhamandapa. People who suffer from headaches hit their heads to Veka Tatayya’s head. Devotees can visit Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple in the temple premises.
Along with the temple of Sri Siddheswara Swami, devotees can also visit
- Sri Sudarsana Chakrattalwar Temple,
- Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple, and
- the Annamacharya Meditation Hall in Tallapaka.
Brahmotsavams
Brahmotsavams are performed every year in the month of Ashada for nine days for Tallapaka Sri Siddheswara Swamy apart from daily poojas. During Brahmotsavams different vahana sevas including Rathotsavam and Kalyanotsavam are performed grandly. Besides Brahmotsavam, every year Sri Mahashivarathri, and Kaartheeka Masa Pujas are also performed in a great way.
Accommodation and Transporation
There are no accommodation facilities for the devotees in Tallapaka as of now. Accommodation is available at private lodges in the towns of Rajampet and Kadapa.
Tallapaka (click on the name for Maps Location) is located at a distance of
- 50 km from Kadapa,
- 8 km from Rajampet, and
- 95 km from Tirupati.
Transport facilities are available from Rajampet. There are regular buses to Rajampet from all corners. All important trains stop at Rajampet Railway Station on the Chennai-Mumbai main railway line.
