India holds a great reputation for giving virth to different religions, customs and Sanatana Dharmas. Kings those who have
ruled this country have earned name and fame by constructing Historical monuments and Temples in this Country.
India has offered a great cultural heritage to the world through these great historical constructions.
Our state Andhrapradesh has somany such temples. '
TRIPURANTAKAM' is one such great Historical temple. 'TRIPURANTAKAM' is supposed to have existed since "Tretayuge" and was mentioned in "Skanda Purana". 'TRIPURANTAKAM' is a great temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is regarded as one of the four important temples surrounding "SRISAILAM", the beloved temple to 'LORD SHIVA'.Tripuranthakam: in Prakasam District in the East where God Tripuranthakeswara Swamy and Goddess Tripurasundari Devi are Presiding DeitiesTripuranthakam: in Prakasam District in the East where God Tripuranthakeswara Swamy and Goddess Tripurasundari Devi are Presiding Deities
According to "Skandha Purana", there lived two demons by name Tripura & Andhakasura who were great devotees of Lord Shiva and were bestowed with great boons by Lord Shiva. They started harassing people of Earth and heaven. When Indra and other deities prayed Lord Shiva, He assured them that he would destroy those Asuras soon. He made all the deities as weapons and using those mighty weapons he killed the Demons. After all, killing Tripura & Andhakasura, Lord Shiva made Tripurantakam as his abode.
Though Tripurantakam, historically is known to have existed in 5th century, it was developed by Chalukya kings in 11th century. It is evident from scriptures in the temple, that it was built in 11th century.
The main deity of the temple is "Tripuranta Keswara" resides with his consort Goddess "Bala Tripura Sundari". Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of "Linga"
"Tripurantakam" is known for its great Architecture and stands as an example of magnificient temple of Architecture.
The six footed statues of Bhadra and Anubhadra on both sides at the entrance of "Garbhalaya" of Lord Shiva are the live examples of the sculputre in those days. Four "Gopuras" of the temple are enclosed inside a huge Prakara.
There are four different ways to reach the temple on the Hill. Throughout the different there are somany small temples.
On the leftside, to Lord Shivas Temple, a temple dedicated to "Bala Tripura Sundari" supposed to be incarnation of Goddress Parvathi exists. The statue of Mother Goddrss is quite attractive and a pleasant sight to all the worshippers.
Goddess is manifested with a smiling face holding lotus flowers with two hands, a Trishula and a Damaruka with other two hands dedicated with ornaments gives a great feeling to all devotees.
In South east direction to the main temple there is a wonderful construction called "Cheekati Midde" A "Simha Dwara" exists towards northside of construction though which one can travel upto Srisailam.
The Veerabadhra temple is also woth mentioning temple here. The sad thing is that the head of the Statue of Lord Veera Badhra is destroyed by iconoplasts and religious fanatics. Another great temple "Moola Skandeshwara" temple doesn't exist now but the "Nandi" (the great bull, Vahana of Lord Shiva) statue before the temple split into two parts by religious fanatics is a pitiable sight.
Tripurantakam a great spiritual centre and a place of great cultural heritage appears as if entire heavenly angels are present at one place on the earth i.e., TRIPURANTAKAM.