KOTAPPA KONDA FAIR
Location : 15 Kms South-West of Narsaraopet in Guntur District.
Deity : Trikoteswara Swami (Lord Shiva)
Time of the festivity : February - March
Kotappakonda, the abode of Trikoteswara Swamy, is a village, 15-km southwest of Narsaraopet in Guntur district. Mahasivaratri is the important festival celebrated here with great devotion and fervour. Kotappakonda comes alive on this eve, which falls during February-March every year. Milling crowds occupy every inch of the space on and around the hill.
'Prabhas', rectangular frames tapering at the top made of bamboo and decorated with coloured cloth and paper, of different sizes are taken in procession as a part of the festival. Most of them are 25 to 30 feet high and are carried by the devotees. But the giant Prabhas, rising to a height of over 100 feet, are carried on decorated and lighted bullock carts accompanied by a large following. They are placed on a meadow at the foot of the hill. Large manpower, money and material are needed to erect these Prabhas, which promote a spirit of cooperation and unification enthusing the villagers.
Accommodation facilities are available and there are many nearby attractions like the artificial Jurassic Park, meditation center etc around Kotappakonda and thus, the place is all set to become a major tourist attraction, providing "Rakthi, Bhakthi and Mukthi" (entertainment, devotion and salvation) to the visitors.
Kotappakonda Temple, also known as Sri Trikoteswara Swami Temple, is located in the top of the Trikoota Hills in Kotappakonda village. The inscriptions found here testifies that the temple was in existence even before the 10th century. Lord Shiva, the deity of the temple is instituted in the shape of Shiva Linga known as 'Trikuteswara' or 'Trikoteswara'. Kotappakonda Temple Fair, during Shivratri, is celebrated here amidst much pomp and splendor and draws a large number of devotees from far and near.
Nearest railway station is at Narasaraopet, which is about 13 km from Kotappakonda.
NOFEAR PRABA 2009 in NARASARAOPET
