About Pallikondeswara Temple

Pallikondeswara Temple(also Pradosha kshetram) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located in Surutapalli,^[1] a village in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The presiding deity Pallikondeswara, unlike other Siva Temples, will be in reclining posture in the lap of his consort Parvati.

Palli Kondeswarar translates to reclining deity. Shiva as Palli Kondeswarar is seen in reclining posture in the lap of his consort Parvati as Sarva Mangalambika, which is typical of Ranganatha form of the god Vishnu. The temple was built during the late Vijayanagara period and the deity here is termed as Bhoga sayana Siva.^[2] This icon of Shiva is unusual; most Shiva temples contain a Lingam, his aniconic symbol, as the central icon. The gods Ganesha, Kartikeya, Surya, Chandra, Indra and sages such as Narada are seen standing around Shiva.

The performance of Pradosha here is noteworthy. The temple has countless icons, besides the central icon:

Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Chandra, Kubera, Surya, Indra, Ganesha, Kartikeya with consorts Valli and Devayanai

Sages: Bhrigu, Markandeya, Narada, Agastya, Pulastya, Gautama, Tumburu, Vashista, Viswamitra, Valmiki

Adhishankara, another form of Shiva, in a separate niche.

Navagraha deities in a shrine

Sanganidhi and Padumanidhi with their consorts Vasundara and Vasumadhi respectively.