Nestled in Andhra Pradesh, the Vedadri temple is a significant pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Narasimha. This sacred place, located on the banks of the Krishna River, attracts devotees seeking blessings and spiritual solace. Let’s delve into the history, significance, and attractions of this revered temple.
Vedadri Narasimha Swamy Temple: A Divine Abode
The Vedadri Narasimha Swamy Temple, situated in Vedadri, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Narasimha. This temple is a major pilgrimage site in Andhra Pradesh, drawing thousands of devotees annually and recognized as one of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetras.
The temple’s location on the bank of the Krishna River adds to its serenity and spiritual ambiance. The temple is located about 12 km from Jaggaipet and 10 km away from Hyderabad Vijayawada highway, one has to take turn at Chillakallu village from Highway.
The Five Forms of Narasimha at Vedadri
What makes Vedadri truly unique is the presence of Lord Narasimha in five different forms, collectively known as the Pancha Narasimha Moorthy. These forms are:
- Jwala Narasimha: Residing on the Vedasikhara of the mountains.
- Saligrama Narasimha: Existing in the River Krishnaveni.
- Yogananda Narasimha: Installed by sage Rishya Sringar.
- Lakshmi Narasimha: On his own peetam.
- Veera Narasimha: On Garudadri situated at a distance of 5 km from east to Vedadri.
Each form holds its own significance and is worshipped with unique rituals and prayers. Devotees often visit each of these forms to seek complete blessings from Lord Narasimha. This makes Vedadri a unique and spiritually fulfilling destination. It is the only place where Pancha Narasimha Murtis are existing.
The Lord exists in five forms different from each other called Pancha Narasimha Murthys namely ( Jwala, Saligrama , Veera Yogananda and Laxmi Narasimha).
Location of Vedadri Temple
The Vedadri temple is located in Vedadri, a town in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Specifically, the address is:
Vedadri, Ravirala, Andhra Pradesh 521190. It is situated just at a distance of 10 km from “Chillakallu” on the National High way No.9 from Vijayawada to Hyderabad.
Accessibility and Nearby Landmarks
Vedadri is well-connected to nearby towns and cities, making it easily accessible for pilgrims. Vijayawada, a major urban center, is approximately 77.8 km away. The temple is 12 km from Jaggaipet. Chillakallu village is about 14 kms from Vedadri.
Below is Lakshmi Narasimha, seen straight at a distance is Veera Narasimha and in the river is Shaligrama Narasimha.
Timing of Vedadri Temple
Understanding the temple timings is essential for planning a visit. While specific timings may vary, here’s a general schedule:
Morning: 6.30 AM to 07.30 AM, 8.30 AM to 01.00 PM. Evening: 3.00 PM to 05.30 PM, 6.3 PM to 08.30 PM. Darshan is closed for an hour between 07.30 AM and 08.30 AM and again for an hour in the evening between 05.30 PM and 06.30 PM.
Best Times to Visit
The temple is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during the cooler months, from October to March. The annual festival, Narasimha Jayanti, celebrated on Vaisakha Suddha Purnima, is also a significant event that attracts large crowds.
History and Mythology of Vedadri Temple
The history of Vedadri Narasimha Swamy Temple is steeped in mythology and tradition. According to the temple’s _sthalapurana_, Vedadri represents the Vedas in the form of a hill.
The importance of this place is that anyone affected by dheergha Vyadhis like ghosts, black magic etc, if they visit this temple and stay back, Narasimha is said to appear in a dream and guide them. To this day people with various complex issues have had a permanent solution to their problems.
The Legend of Somakasura and the Vedas
A captivating tale narrates that a demon named Somakasura stole the Vedas from Brahma and hid them in the ocean. In panic, the gods prayed to Vishnu, who manifested as Narasimha to rescue the Vedas, transforming them into Vedadri on the river Krishna.
Bramhand purana” says that Somaksura a demon of Yore stole the four Vedas from Lord Bramha and hid himself in the Ocean. Lord Bramha then approached his father Lord Srimannarayana murthy and Prayed for the restoration of Vedas. Lord Srimannarayana Murthy in ‘Matsyavathara’ (Fish) entered the Ocean, killed the demon Somakasura and brought back the Vedas in tact.
The Vedas, in human from thanked the lord for his kind gesture in saving them, Prayed to stay with them on their heads. There upon the Lord munificently granted their Prayer but said that the would do that only after killing another demon Hiranya Kasapa and saving his son prahalda.
The Lord also assured the Vedapurushas that he would stay with them as panchamurthy only. So saying the Lord bid them till such time to remain in the river Krishnaveni as Saligrama mountain. Lord told them that Krishnaveni also prayed to allow her to worship him everyday and that the granted her the boon.
He hid the veda purushas in human form here. After killing the Asura/Demon, he returned back and told the veda purushas that he will manifest himself at a later time in the same place.
The Kakatiya Empire and Later Renovations
The Vedadri Narasimha Temple gained prominence during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire. In the 1800s, Raja Vasireddy Muktiswara Prasad Nayudu, a zamindar ancestor of Muktyala Raja, renovated and added to the temple by renewing the dhwajastabham and building 108 flight of stairs for pilgrims to reach the Krishna River from the hillock that houses the temple.
Narasimha’s Incarnation and Staying at Vedadri
Later the Lord incarnated himself as ‘Narasimha’ killed the mighty demon Hiranya kasapa and saved Prahalda and ever since stayed as Jwala Narasimha on the mountain head at Vedadri in fulfilment of the inclination of Veda Purushas. Then Lord Bramha requested Jwala Narasimha to stay in Sathya Loka as Saligrama Narasimha so the Lord went to Sathya Loka as Saligrama Narasimha at the request of Lord Bramha.
But even before Bramha offered his worship to the Lord in Sathya Loka, the Sathya Loka was consumed in flames. There upon Lord Bramha personally brought Saligrama Narsimha Murthy to the river krishnaveni and erected the Saligrama Murti on the Saligram Mountain.
Later on, the Lord, at the request of Rishis like Rishya Srunga and Kings like Manu, stayed in the middle of the mountain as Yogananda Narasimha Swamy and at the request of the Garudas the Lord stayed as veera Narasimha and as per the Prayer of Vana Devatha the Lord is prevading the mountain as Laxmi Narasimha Murthi.
The Rishis and their Penance
The facts were revealed by Suta Mahamuni to Shounaka and others who acclaimed the efficacy of Vedadri as a unique deity in the entire world.
Kalav Smaranan mukthi. It means in kaliyuga mere smarana is enough for mukthi. The rishis having got the information from veda vyasa began searching for a suitable place for their penance and at last they found Vedadri as the most suitable place, as the Lord is staying there in five forms (Panchamurthi).
Further the rishis while searching, for a suitable place heard recitals in perfect swaras being emanated from the holy mountain they named as ‘Vedadri’ the mountain of Vedas. The rishis were enchanted by the chanting of Vedas by the Mountain, especially the same veda (music) the Gandharva Swara and its varied moorchans.
They have been immensely satisfied by the holy recitals and have settled there for penance. They took a holy dip in the River Krishnaveni, had a pradakshan of the mountain and then settled in Penance. During their deep Penance in their Samadhi., they heard a divine voice saying “Holy rishis this is Vedadri or Vedagiri where Lord Sreemannarayana has taken the avatara of Nrusimha Swamy”.
After the holy words the rishis discovered a Luminous light discerning the path upwards the mountain by which the rishis have scaled it and found Yogananda Nrusimha Swamy in a temple on the top of the mountain. The rishis, who were overwhelmed with joy, praised the Lord, chanting his holy name.
Then the Lord gave them darshan as Jwala Nrusimha in the shape of fire, as Saligrama murti in the river, as Yogananda Nrusimha (Laxmi Nrusimha Murti), as Veera Nrusimha murti in Garudachala. The rishis after Visiting all the shrines came back to Vedadri and sat for Penance.
This mountain has been enriched in its spiritual splendor not only by the Pancha Murtis but also due to the Penance of several rishis.
Shrine and Deities at the Vedadri Temple
The main image of the deity in the temple depicts Narasimha with Lakshmi seated on his left lap. This is a captivating sight, symbolizing the divine union of power and compassion.
In the temple, the main image of deity shows Narasimha with Lakshmi sitting on his left lap. There are five forms of Narasimha that are worshipped at this temple, which is why it is called the _Pancha Narasimha Kshetram_. These five forms are Vira Narasimha, Salagrama Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha, Lakshmi Narasimha, and Yoga Narasimha.
The facts were revealed by Suta Mahamuni to Sownaka and others who acclaimed the place where pancha Narasimha Murthy are existing.
As Yogananda Narasimha, the presiding Deity, He resides in the middle of the hill facing the Krishna river in the western direction. He stays on the top of the hill as Jwala Narasimha, in the Krishnaveni river as Shalagrama Narasimha, on the Vedadri mountain as Lakshmi Narasimha and on Garudachalam as Veera Narasimha. Garudachalam is five kilometers away from Vedadri in the eastern direction.
Other Shrines within the Temple Complex
Apart from the main deity, the temple houses separate shrines for the 12 Tamil Vaishnavite Saints (Alvars) and for the founders of the Vaikhanasa Agamas, including Rishis Kashyapa and Atri. There are separate shrines for Sri Rajyalakshmi Devi and Sri Godadevi.
The temple also has separate shrines for the 12 Tamil Vaishnavite Saints ( Alvars) and for the founders of the Vaikhanasa Agamas, including Rishis Kashyapa and Atri.
There are Deities of Lord Varaha, Lord Hanuman and Garudadeva worshipped here in the complex too. Not to forget the Deities of the 12 Azhwars of the Sri sampradaya.
Festivals and Celebrations at Vedadri Narasimha Swamy Temple
The Vedadri temple is vibrant with festivities throughout the year. A popular, annual festival is held at the temple to celebrate Narasimha Jayanati on Vaisakha Suddha Purnima.
Temple Bramhotsavam is performed usually on Narasimha Jayanti day as everywhere.
Brahmotsavam
Brahmotsavam and Narasimha Jayanthi are the main festivals celebrated here. The Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated over eight days from Suddha Dashami to Bahula Vidiya in the month of Vaishaka (April/May). The Srivari Thirukalyana Mahotsavam happens during this time.
Other Festivals
Other festivals celebrated include Dolotsavam, Mukkoti Ekadashi, Tholi Ekadashi, Pavitrotsavam, Dhanurmasa and Dhanu Sankranthi.
Travel Guide to Vedadri Temple
Reaching Vedadri Temple is relatively straightforward, with various transportation options available.
By Road
If you reach Jaggayapet town or Chillakallu village at a distance of 16 kms or 14 kms respectively from Vedadri, you will get rickshaws and private taxis to Vedadri. Vijayawada is the nearest major urban center 77.8 kms away. You can board a bus to Vedadri from Vijayawada.
By Rail
Madhira, 40.5 kms away is the nearest railway station to Vedadri. Trains from many cities of India halt here. You can travel to Madhira and then catch a bus or hire a private taxi to Vedadri. You can reach Vijayawada railway station and catch a connecting train to Madhira if there are no trains from your place via Madhira.
By Air
Vijayawada airport 91.5 kms away is the nearest airport to Vedadri. You can fly in here and use the road or rail route to reach Vedadri.
Conclusion
Visiting Vedadri Temple offers a unique spiritual experience. The presence of the Pancha Narasimha Moorthy, the rich mythology, and the serene surroundings make it a must-visit destination for devotees seeking the blessings of Lord Narasimha. Plan your trip to this sacred abode and immerse yourself in its divine aura.
The presence of various sages and devotees on the Vedadri hill enhanced the spiritual strength of Vedadri. Moreover, the sacred river Krishna always worships and offers her respects to Vedadri as she flows beneath majestically.
Hence, Vedadri must be a special holy place in all respects. As you begin taking your steps towards the hill, you will undoubtedly feel this spiritual energy raising you. Don’t count your steps. Just walk on!
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