Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutupalli
Shiva (as Pallikondeswara, reclining on Parvati's lap) temple · Surutupalli, Tirupati (formerly Chittoor), Andhra Pradesh, India
The Pallikondeswara Temple at Surutupalli, a village in Nagalapuram mandal of Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, close to the Tamil Nadu border, is known for an image of Shiva that is very rarely seen: instead of the usual lingam, the main shrine shows Shiva in human form, lying with his head on the lap of his consort Parvati. Wikipedia and the Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India site both describe this reclining form as rare.
The deity is called Pallikondeswara, 'the Lord who reclines'. Because the temple is linked by legend to the origin of Pradosham worship, devotees also call it a Pradosha kshetram, and TV9 Telugu describes Pradosham as its main observance.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutupalli
The temple's legend comes from the churning of the ocean of milk (Samudra Manthan). According to the accounts given by Wikipedia, Incredible India and Dinamalar, the deadly poison halahala rose from the ocean, and Shiva swallowed it to save the world; Parvati held his throat so that the poison stayed there, turning it blue and giving him the name Neelakantha. On his way back to Kailash, Shiva felt faint and lay down here to rest with his head on Parvati's lap, while the gods gathered around him. The village name is explained by Incredible India and TV9 Telugu as coming from 'Surula palli', the place where the gods (suras) came down.
Incredible India and Dinamalar connect the temple with the beginnings of Pradosha worship, the evening worship of Shiva on the thirteenth lunar day (trayodashi) of each fortnight. According to tradition, the gods sought Shiva's forgiveness here, and Nandi is honoured first during Pradosham because he is believed to have guarded Shiva's rest. Pradosham falling on a Saturday (Shani Pradosham) is regarded by devotees as especially auspicious.
Heritage
History of Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutupalli
According to Wikipedia and TV9 Telugu, the temple was built by the Vijayanagara ruler Harihara Bukka Raya between 1344 and 1347, and an inscription records that it was renovated by the Srikalahasti rulers in 1833. A scholarly volume cited by Wikipedia instead places the temple in the late Vijayanagara period and calls the deity 'Bhoga sayana Siva'.
The temple has close links with the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. TV9 Telugu reports that Jayendra Saraswathi performed a Maha Kumbhabhishekam in 1979, and Wikipedia records a Kumbhabhishekam by Jayendra Saraswathi and Vijayendra Saraswathi on 23 June 2002. Wikipedia states that the temple is administered under the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Architecture and sacred features
The temple has a three-tiered gateway tower, according to Wikipedia. The central icon shows Shiva reclining on Parvati's lap, a pose Wikipedia compares to the Ranganatha form of Vishnu; TV9 Telugu describes the image as about 14 feet long. Around the reclining Shiva stand figures of Brahma, Vishnu, Surya, Chandra, Indra, Kubera, Ganesha and Murugan, and sages including Narada, Markandeya, Agastya, Valmiki and Vishwamitra.
Besides the reclining Shiva, the temple has a lingam shrine of Valmikeeswara with the goddess Maragathambika. Dinamalar notes that the deities here are shown with their consorts, including Dakshinamurthy, and that Sankhanidhi and Padmanidhi, the treasures of Kubera, stand where doorkeepers would usually be.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Pradosham evenings and Maha Shivaratri are the temple's most important occasions, so expect more devotees then. Dress modestly and follow the instructions of temple staff. Confirm current darshan timings and Pradosham arrangements with the temple office before you travel.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Government of Andhra Pradesh (per Wikipedia) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutupalli
Pradosham
The temple's defining observance; Saturday Pradosham (Shani Pradosham) is considered especially auspicious.
Maha Shivaratri
Listed by Dinamalar as a major festival of the temple.
Annabhishekam
Listed by Dinamalar as a festival of the temple.
Thiruvathirai (Arudra Darshanam)
Listed by Dinamalar as a festival of the temple.
Location
How to Reach Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutupalli
Kerala Kaumudi places the temple about 3 km from Uthukottai, on the Chennai–Tirupati highway, and TV9 Telugu gives it as about 68 km from Chennai and 73 km from Tirupati. Buses between Chennai and Tirupati via Periyapalayam and Uthukottai pass through Surutupalli, according to Dinamalar. Incredible India puts Chennai International Airport about 68 km away and Tirupati Airport about 73 km away; Dinamalar and Kerala Kaumudi name Tiruvallur as a convenient railway station, with a bus onward.
Location: Surutupalli, Tirupati (formerly Chittoor), Andhra Pradesh, India
Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport, about 68 km (per Incredible India)
Nearest railway station: Tiruvallur (per Dinamalar and Kerala Kaumudi)
More in Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh · Shiva (as Pallikondeswara, reclining on Parvati's lap) temples · Temples in Nagalapuram Mandal · Temples in Tirupati District
Questions
Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutupalli: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Shiva shown reclining at Surutupalli?
According to legend, after swallowing the halahala poison during the churning of the ocean, Shiva felt faint and rested here with his head on Parvati's lap. The temple's main image shows this scene.
Why is Surutupalli called a Pradosha kshetram?
Tradition links the temple to the beginning of Pradosham worship, when the gods are said to have sought Shiva's forgiveness here. Pradosham is the temple's main observance.
Is Surutupalli in Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu?
It is in Andhra Pradesh, in Nagalapuram mandal of Tirupati district (formerly Chittoor district), close to the Tamil Nadu border.
Who built the Pallikondeswara Temple?
Wikipedia and TV9 Telugu credit the Vijayanagara ruler Harihara Bukka Raya (1344–1347); an inscription records a renovation in 1833.
How far is Surutupalli from Chennai and Tirupati?
About 68 km from Chennai and 73 km from Tirupati, according to TV9 Telugu, and about 3 km from Uthukottai.
Which other deities are in the temple?
There is a lingam shrine of Valmikeeswara with the goddess Maragathambika, and many gods and sages are shown around the reclining Shiva.
Sources and attribution
- Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Surutapalli
- Dinamalar — Sri Palli Kondeeswarar Temple, Suruttappalli
- TV9 Telugu — Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutapalli (1 March 2021)
- Kerala Kaumudi — Pradosha temple of Siva
- Wikipedia — Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutupalle
- OpenStreetMap — Place of worship, Surutupalle (way 502930248)
Further reading: Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutupalli on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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