Saptamatrikas

Saptamatrikas, the group of seven mother like goddesses, consist of Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda. 

As narrated in Devi Mahatmya, it is said that Matrikas goddesses were created by Gods in order to aid Mahadevi in her battle against the demons Shumba and Nishumba.

The Matrikas emerged as Shakthi's out of the bodies of the gods. Brahmi form Brahma, Vaishnavi from Vishnu, Maheshwari from Shiva, Kaumari from Skanda, Varahi from Varaha and Indrani from Indra. It is a group of six Deva Shakthi's and one Devi Shakthi, making it as seven ( Sapta ) 

They were armed with the same weapons, wore the same ornaments and ride the same vahanas and also carried the banners like their corresponding male Gods did. Saptamatrikas as a group indicate transformation of the male identities of gods into goddesses.

We can also see Virabhadra playing Veenai and Vinayaka on either sides of Saptamatrikas. 

Palli Kondeswarar, Lord Shiva at Surutapalli

During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean of milk) by the gods and demons, many treasures along with the Amrita (elixir of the gods) and the poison Halahala rose from the ocean. To rescue the beings of the world from the poison, Shiva consumed it.

When the poison was just going down the throat of Shiva, his consort Parvati stopped it there by tightly holding Shiva’s throat, turning Shiva's neck blue. After the episode, Shiva proceeded to his abode Kailash with Parvati.

On the way, he felt exhausted and slightly uncomfortable, when he reached a place in the bounds of Andhra, which came to be called Suruttappalli.

There, He lied down to relax, keeping his head in the lap of Parvati. The gods, who were concerned about Shiva’s well-being assembled there and stood around him, waiting for the Lord to open his eyes.

This lying posture of Shiva is rare and unique, is almost similar to Vishnu’s reclining posture.