Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple- Andhra Pradesh

Address

Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple- Devarapalem, Vedagiri, Andhra Pradesh 524004

Diety

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Amman: Chenchu Lakshmi

Introduction

Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple or Narasimha Konda is one of the oldest holy destinations for pilgrims in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh State in India. The temple is present on the banks of Penna river (Pinakini or Penneru) and is dedicated to Swayambhu Lord Narasimha Swamy (Fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu). The Goddess here in Narasimha Konda is called as Chenchu Lakshmi. This abode of Lord Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is surrounded by the lush green forest or jungle of Vedagiri Hills. Narasimha Konda temple is present at a distance of roughly 15.6 km from Nellore city. Nellore was earlier known as Vikrama Simhapuri.

Puranic Significance

According to the ancient inscriptions found on the Vedagiri Temple walls, the temple was first built by the Pallava king, Narasimha Varma in the 9th century AD. Flying mountains: In earlier days, the mountains had four wings. They had the capacity to fly from one place to the other. It is believed that the Mountain Malayagiri was flying from Kanyakumari to Himalayas. On the way, one of its wings fell at this place named Vedagiri and the other three wings fell at Yadagiri, Mangalagiri and Nandagiri. The Mountain Malayagiri was saddened at the loss of wings and had worshipped Lord Maha Vishnu for redemption. The Lord granted the boon that the fallen wings would be considered as sacred and become places of worship. Each of the places has Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temples. This temple is atop a small hillock called Narasimha Konda near ‘Jonnawada’. Saptha Rishis: There are seven sacred Koneru (water tanks) which are renovated with Mandapas on Narasimha Konda. It is also believed that as per Sri Brahma Purana, Sage Kashyapa alongwith the other fraternity of Sri Saptha Rishis viz., Atri, Vasistha, Vishvamitra, Gautama Maharishi, Jamadagni and Bharadvaja had kept seven homa kundams on the top of this hill and did Yagna (homam / havan) here. Sri Narasimha Swamy: Sri Narasimha Swamy emerged from the homam in the form of light. The said light had travelled north and entered a cave on the hilltop. Kashyapa Maharishi had installed the murthy of Sri Nrushimha at that place on an auspicious day which had Swathi, the birth star of Sri Narasimha. Sri Nrushima has four hands; the lower hands bless abundance and protection; the upper hands hold conch and holy wheel.

Special Features

Ashwathama It is also believed that Ashwathama, the son of Dronacharya, as ordained by Lord Sri Krishna, is still doing penance in immortal form for alleviating his sin of killing Draupati’s sons. Sanctums The sanctum of Sri Narasimha is atop a hillock with a few steps and the sanctum of His consort Sri Chenchu Lakshmi is at another top structure nearby as Sri Adi Lakhsmi. Sri Rama’s visit It is also believed that as per the Aranya Kandam of Sri Ramayana, Sri Rama had visited here and worshipped Sri Narasimha when He was wandering the forests during his vanvas days.