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| Outer View of the temple |
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| Lakshmi Narasimha in the inner sanctum |
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| View of temple pillars |
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| Utsava Vigrahas |
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| Idols of gods on temple tower |
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| Vasisthalaya |
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| Vasistha and Arundhati |
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| Sapta Rishi Mandir |
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| Sagara Sangamam |
This famous temple is located at the place of confluence
where Vasistha Godavari joins the Bay of Bengal. This temple was constructed in
15th or 16th centuries by Pallava kings and later by Peddapuram
Reddy kings. The present structure is said to be built by Kapanati Krishnamma
of Agnikula Kshatriya clan in 1823. The temple tower has five storeys depicting
various incarnations of Vishnu and sculptures of lions on four sides. Though
the temple is not so big it is one of the most primitive thirty-two Narasimha Khestras in A.P. The Lord is seen with His
consort Lakshmi beside the banks of holy Vasishta Godavari.
Sage Vasistha
brought Godavari and dwelt here in his ashram. He prayed to Lord Narasimha when
the demon Rakta Vilochana, son of Hiranyaksha, killed all his hundred sons.
Lord Narasimha fought with the demon and killed him using His Sudarshan Chakra.
He created Maha Maya, also called Ashwaroodambika or Gurralakka to suck the
blood of the demon as he got a boon from Brahma that blood falling from his
body would produce another demon of equal strength. After the death of Rakta
Vilochana the stream of blood was let out by Maya to form a pond called Rakta Kulya.
Lord Narasimha washed His chakra (discus) at a place called Chakra Thirtha.
Sage Vasistha prayed to Lord to stay there along with Lakshmi. On the roof of
this temple the picture of Vatapatrasai (Krishna sleeping on a floating banyan
leaf) is seen.
The statue of Lord Narasimha is seen along with Lakshmi seated
on His left side. On the east side of this shrine there is a separate shrine
for Rajya Lakshmi and Lord Venkateswara. On the north side there is a shrine
for Ranganatha swamy and His consort Bhudevi. On the west side Santana
Gopalaswamy’s shrine is seen. On the south side of the main shrine one can see
a shrine for Lord Anjaneya with four hands who is the Kshetrapalaka or guardian
deity of this temple. The sannidhi of Alwars is also seen here. On the other
side of the main temple Lord Neelakanteswra’s temple is seen.This shrine is
more primitive than the main temple and Lord Brahma is said to have performed
Yagna and installed Shiva Linga here. Hence this place
was called Antarvedi which means a place with a sacrificial altar. Later Lord
Sri Rama worshipped Neelakanteswara. Arjuna
during his pilgrimage is said to have visited this temple.
This temple was
managed by Peddapuram Rajas during 18th century and later by
Mogaltur Rajas in 19th century. Now it is under the management of
Religious Endowments Department. Just a little distance from here a very
beautiful building called Vasisthalaya is seen which was constructed in 2005. In
this circular 54-foot high two-storeyed structure, one can see the sacred
Saligrama Kurma ( the idol of sacred tortoise found in the pond by a
fisherman)on the first floor and the statues of seven sacred sages on the
second floor. This is the only one Narasimha Kshetram where daily Panchamrita
Abhishkam is done every day between 8.00 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. One can see
Nijarupa Darshanam (main idol without any decorative shield) between 6.00 a.m.
and 8.00 a.m. To avert vaasthu and bad effects of planets, many devotees
perform Narasimha Sudarshana Homam here between 10.00 a.m and 12.00 p.m. The
darshan timings are from 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 7.30
p.m. Other ceremonies like Annaprasana, upanayanam and Gopuja are also done
here. Nityaannadanam is also organized here. The T.T.D. choultry provides
accommodation for devotees coming to this place.
The nearest town is Narasapur just
20 kms from here. The nearest railway stations are Palakollu and Bhimavaram.
Located in the scenic surroundings this temple provides a very peaceful and
pious holy spot for devotees. Other places to see at this place are Sagara
Sangamam, Raktakulya, and Gurralakka temple.
One can also travel from Rajahmundry (100 kms.)and Amalapuram(65
kms.) to see this famous temple.
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26th February, 2018 Somaseshu Gutala
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