Indian Iconography is very elaborate in representing the gods and stories. Usually the Silpakars have to follow the literature to construct an idol or a temple. Some gods and goddesses are represented in human form while Lord Siva has been represented in form of Linga or Dakshinamurthi Siva. There is however a temple of Lord Siva, probably one of its kind, where he’s shown in Sayana (sleeping posture) on the lap of Sarvamangala Devi- Goddess Parvati. This is in Pallikondeshwara Swamy, Nagalapuram Mandala, Chittoor.
So what are the benefits of visiting this temple? Well, it is this place- Suruttapalli where the Pradosha Puja first began. The devotees visit this temple of Siva to get rid of their losses and get promoted in life. This seems very obvious as the legend is something synonymous. It was when during the Devasura sangram, the Devas approached lord Siva to drink the Halala or Kalakuta, the poison. The giant snake Vasuki who was acting as the rope in churning of Amruta, eventually got tired and couldn’t hold the poison and released it. Siva as generous god he is, he swallows the poison, eventually the Devas gain their position. Uma saw Siva consume the poison and she holds his neck to prevent poison from spreading in his body. As she holds it for a while, the poison stays there and the blue-throat of Siva appears. So Siva is called Neelagriva, Nanjundeswara, Neelakantha. On his way back to Kailasha, Siva is exhausted and rests for a while on lap of Goddess Parvati. This place is Suruttapalli.
The Devas waited around Siva, waiting him to feel better. Siva, pleased his spectators with Ananda Tandava (dance of happiness). This day is known as Krishnapaksha Trayodasi (Stiravaram). It is also known as Mahapradosha, and because it fell on a Saturday, it was also known as Shani Pradosha.
The Pradosha celebrations are worth a watch at this temple. Pallikondeshwara Swamy also removes obstacles in marriage proposals and couples who are separated will be re-united. The sayana form of Siva is called the Bhoga-sayana Siva. People observe the Pradosha vrata till date in devotion for Uma-Mahesvara.
