A Wandering Heritager: Sri Malayadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple / వారానికి ఒక్కసారే దర్శనమిచ్చే స్వామివారు, Malakonda, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh.

Thursday 13 July 2023

Sri Malayadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple / వారానికి ఒక్కసారే దర్శనమిచ్చే స్వామివారు, Malakonda, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh.

The visit to this Sri Malayadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples / Rock cut Cave temples of Andhra Pradesh Visit”, on 24^th June 25^th June 2023. Even though this temple visit was not included in the list earlier, added on the Saturday’s list, since this temple will be kept open for darshan only on Saturdays.

This is one of the Nava Narasimha Temples of Andhra Pradesh. This Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple is also called as Sri Malayadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. The hill range has a wide variety of rocks and rock formations, like Mica mixed, conglomerated pebble / chips like stones, which are not usually seen in a single geological feature.

Moolavar : Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar

Consort : Sri Lakshmi

Some of the salient features of this temple are....

The main temple on the top of the Hill and the Cave Temple are facing east. The Top temple may be accessed either through 1000 and odd steps or through Vehicle. Entrance arches are on ground level and one at vehicle parking place. The steps are not uniform and narrow on many places. A Shiva Sannidhi in a natural cave is on the way.

Moolavar Narasimhar is in sitting posture with Lakshmi is sitting on his left lap. Moolavar is with big mustache. Narasimhar and Lakshmi are in separate sannidhis in the bottom Cave shrine. There is a Shiva Shrine one step below the cave Shrine.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple on the top of the hill is with sanctum sanctorum and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an adhisthanam similar to Perumal temples.

One level below the top, is a Cave Shrine for Narasimhar and Maha Lakshmi. Both are in separate shrines. This is a natural cave and walls and pillars are constructed, to form sanctum sanctorum and mandapam. Stucco Vimanas are constructed just above the shrines. A two tier vesara Vimanam is above Narasimhar shrine. Stucco images of Narasimhar, Lakshmi Narasimhar are on the tala and greeva koshtas. An ekatala vesara Vimanam is above Maha Lakshmi’s shrine.

Hill Top Shrine

Hill Top Shrine Adhisthanam

Cave Shrine

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the temple of the top of the Hill is of more than 2000 years old. There is no inscriptions found to prove its antiquity.

LEGENDS

Once Sri Narayanan, ie Maha Vishnu asked the wishes of Maha Lakshmi. She told that, only few Divya Kshethras are there on the earth and Devotees found difficult to have the darshan of all the temples. As per Maha Lakshmi’s wishes, Sri Narayanan created Divya Kshethras on the mountains in the form of Garland. They were called as malakonda, which was got corrupted to the present name of Malayadri.

As per the legend of Lakshmi Narasimhar, Hiranyaksa / Hiranyakasipu, the demon King did a penance on Brahma to get a boon of immortality, and should not be killed neither by the God nor animals, neither inside nor out side of the residence, neither on the earth or on the sky, neither day or night. Brahma gave the boon as requested by Hiranyakasipu. After getting the boon he tortured the Devas and declared himself, as the supreme and no one should pronounce Maha Vishnu’s name.

Bhaktha Prahalad, his son was an ardent devotee of Maha Vishnu. He used to chant the name of Maha Vishnu always and refuse to accept Hiranyakasipu as the supreme. This made him angry and tried to kill his own son many times and was saved by Maha Vishnu.

One day, Hiranyakasipu asked whether his God present every where..?. Prahalad replied that Maha Vishnu will be present in the Pillar, also in a thirumbu / a small object. Angered Hiranyakasipu hit the pillar with his mace. Maha Vishnu took the Narasimha avatar came from the Pillar and killed hiranyakasipu with his nails and drank the demon’s blood. After killing Hiranyakasipu, Narasimhar has become more ferocious. Brahma and Devas requested Prahalad to pacify Narasimha. When his attempt failed, Devas requested Maha Lakshmi, and sought her help. Maha lakshmi sat on Narasimhar’s left thigh, and Narasimhar became calm. Hence Narasimhar is called as Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular poojas on Saturdays, special poojas will be held on Narasimhar jayanthi.

On Saturdays, Devotees prepare pongal and offer a small shrine in front of a 4 pillar mandapam, do Ko poojas, tonsuring of entire family or individuals, etc are done as a part of thanks giving to Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar after their wishes are fulfilled.