Yadadri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Telangana

Address

Yadadri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Yadadri, Yadagiripally, Gandhi Nagar, Telangana 508115.

Diety

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy

Introduction

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple or simply known as Yadadri or Yadagirigutta temple, (also known as Pancha Narasimha Kshetram and Rishi Aradhana Kshetram) is a Vishnu situated on a hillock in the small town of Yadagirigutta in the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of the Indian state of Telangana. The temple is an abode of Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In 2016 a large expansion and rebuilding of the temple began and completed by March 2022

Puranic Significance

According to Skanda Purana, Yada Maharishi, son of venerated Maharshi Rishyasringa performed penance here to Lord Vishnu as Narasimha. Being pleased with his penance lord appeared before him and manifested himself in five forms: Jwaalaa Narasimha, Gandabheranda Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha, Ugra Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha. Yada Maharishi begged Narasimha to remain on the hill in these forms. For this reason, the Lakshmi-Narasimhadeva temple on the hilltop has deities of Narasimha in all five forms embedded in stone in the main cave. Historically, the temple has followed the Thenkalai tradition of the Vaishnava Agama Shastras as followed in South India. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. A new temple is being built at the old temple site. For use until the new temple is completed, a temporary temple, Balalayam, was built. The entire Yadadri temple renovated with the Krishna Sila (Black stone) is going to become known for its uniqueness. The new temple has been inaugurated on 28th March 2022 by Chief Minister of Telangana K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Beliefs

The temple is in a cave about 12 feet high by 30 feet long, located in back of the temple hall, by the rear pillar. You take a stairway down into the chamber and then toward the back. Jwala Narasimha is in the shape of serpent, while Yogananda Narasimha appears sitting in meditation in yoga pose. You will also see silver deities of Lakshmi-Narasimha, which are quite striking in appearance and lends presence of seeing them. To the right of the temple main door is a Hanuman temple. You’ll see a long horizontal gap in the rock just below Hanuman. This is said to be where Gandabheranda Narasimha manifested. This is a very popular temple. It is said that any wish of sincere devotee visiting this temple will be fulfilled. The sanctum sanctorum or Garbhagriha is located in a cave, under a huge slating rock, which covers half the abode. Temple architecture The architecture of the temple is based on Agama Shashtra. The temple is built entirely in stone. The temple was earlier built on 2 acres. After demolishing all structures on the temple hillock, the base for the temple is now 14 acres. Design The principal film set designer is Anand Sai and lead architect P Madhusudhan, chosen for their understanding of the ancient designs based on silpa and Agama principles. The entire temple is built in stone. The stone designs in Yadadri were provided by the chief sthapathi of the temple, Soundara Rajan. Sculptures Three types of stones are being used for the temple like Krishna Sila (also known as Purusha Sila) for presiding deities in the sanctum sanctorum; Sthri Sila for deities of Goddesses; and Napunsaka Sila used for flooring, walls etc. Black granite stone is also used based on the temple architecture of the Kakatiya Dynasty in Telangana. The black granite stone has tiny pores, and it becomes strong and hard when milk, curd, oil and other liquids get into those pores, according to learned shilipis (sculpture experts).

Festivals

Yadadri Temple Festivals List: 1) Bramhostavams for 11 days 2) Jayanthi 3) Swathi (every month on Swathi Nakshatram) (Birth star of Swamy) 4) Pavithrostavams 5) Adhyanotsavams 6) Sri Swamy vari Adhyayanotsavams 7) Dhanurmasams 8) Annakutothsavam (Celebrated on Kartheeka Pournami) 9) Ramanuja Thirunakshathram 10) Nammalvar Thirunakshathram