Chukkapuram
- Venugopalaswamy Aalayam
The
legend of this famous ancient shrine is not long, but quite exciting. According
to local version, there lived once a devout aristocrat lady, a scion of great
royal family, popularly known as Rajamata in Madhurapuram. She was an ardent
adorer of Krishna. Lord Krishna appearing in dream directed her to build a
village with temple, and arrange the performance of festival in an exuberant
manner. Forthwith she implemented the divine injunction by establishing two
villages called Gopalapuram and Repalle near Madhurapuram, her own native place.
Being very pious and orthodox, she arranged the celebration of Gokulashtami
festival on the night of Ashtami in her palace, Vutlapanduga in Gopalapuram
on the succeeding day, and on the third day Jalakrida in Repalle. It turned out
a grandiose event predicated by huge crowds visiting from far off places.
Unfortunately,
once there fell two great festivals - the Muslim pirlapandaga and Hindu
Kamadahanam on the same day. Due to rising of a frivolous difference of opinion
between Hindus and Muslims, the Muslim fanatics burnt down the temple along with
many houses. The pious priests scenting danger timely, ran away with the
valuables and archamurti its the dead of night. In course of their flight the
Lord's garland fell at a village, and it was aptly named as Poomalapalli. And by
morning the running priests halted at a village called Kalikidona. The exhausted
priests were directed by God to install him there itself. They obeyed. And hence
emergence of a. beautiful temple in Kalikidona which later became Chukkapuram.
This
temple is of moderate dimensions, yet possesses all the part. The archarnurti is
also coming to the rescue of his pious devotees in limes of need. The annual
festival falls on the Phalguna Pournami and lures thousands of devotee.
The
village lies in Talakohdapalli mandalam of Palamur district of Andhra Pradesh,
connected by bus service from the neighboring towns.
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