Pithapuram

Pithapuram is a town in the Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh. The town forms a part of the Godavari Urban Development Authority. Pithapuram town is abode to one of the 18thMaha Sakthi Peethas, which are important shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism.Pithapuram is a town where, a prominent Hindu saint of the 14th century,Sripada Sri Vallabha was born and lived.Sripada Sri Vallabha is considered by his devotees as one of the first complete forms or avatars of LordDattatreya in Kali Yuga. In ancient times, Pithapuram is called Pittapore. The town is occupied with a total area of 22.71 km2.According to the 2011 Census Report of India, the town had a population of 52,360. The total population consists of26,469 females,25,891 males, and 5,116 children

History of Pithapuram

Pithapuram was initially called Pithikapuram. According to the earliest existing inscription that mentioned Pithapuramcity is the fourth-century king Samudragupta's Allahabad Pillar inscriptions. These inscriptions state that Samudraguptadefeated king Mahendra of Pithikapuram currently Pithapuram. The inscriptions of the fourth and fifth-centuryVasishtha and Mathara dynasties also mention Pishtapura, depicting it as a part of Kalinga.

In the 17thcentury, Chalukya king Pulakeshin II added Pishtapura to his kingdom. Later, Pishtapurawas one of the Rastras, an administrative division, of the VengiChalukyas. In the 12th and 13th centuries,one of the supporting branches of Chalukyas called PithapuramChalukyas ruled the area aroundRajahmundry, Pithapuram, and Draksharama.

The town is the home tothe temple of Puruhitika devi. The temple is one among 18 Sakthi Peethas.