Holy Pilgrimage –
Simhachalam
Simhadri or Simhachalam temple is a Hindu temple
located near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh,
South India.
It is dedicated to the incarnation (Avatar) of Vishnu known as Narasimha
(the man-lion). The temple is a mix of Orissan (main/central shrine) and Dravidian (entrance) styles of architecture
Origin of the name
Simha:
Lion ; Adri or Achala: Hill
(one which cannot be moved, viz. hill).Atop the hill is a famous temple said to be the abode of Varaha Narasimha Swami, and hence the hill itself is called (
Significance
It is one of
the eighteen "Naarasimha Kshetras" i.e. shrines of Lord Narasimha
in
Legend
Hiranyakasipu
was a Rakshasa king. He was in fact one of Vishnu's
Dwarapalakas or gate keepers in Vaikuntha, Jaya and Vijaya. They had to take birth in the mortal world
thrice because of a curse given by Sanaka, Sanandana,
Sanathana and Sanathkumara, who were not allowed to take darshan of
Mahavishnu by them. The other palaka was born as his brother Hiranyaaksha.Hiranyakasipu wanted to become immortal and hence performed austerities (tapasya) to propitiate Lord Brahma. However, Lord Brahma said that was not possible so Hiranyakasipu asked Lord Brahma to grant him a boon so that he could not be killed by any animal or a man neither in the morning nor in the night, by any weapons, neither in sky nor on the earth.
Hiranyakasipu wanted the entire world to worship him. But, Prahalada, his son, was a devotee of Lord Narayana and always expressed his bhakti towards Him. In spite of warning him several times, Hiranyakasipu could not alter Prahlada's devotion.
This made Hiranyakasipu angry and he made numerous attempts to get Prahlada killed. One of them was to throw him off the top of a mountain. However, Vishnu rescued him by moving the mountain and made a small path for Prahaladha. It is said that in the place where the Lord stood to protect Prahaladha is the place where the temple is built.
The most important thing about this temple is that here we can't see the God's feet. It is said that the feet is buried inside the earth. Lord Narayana came to rescue Parahalada on Garuda and when they threw Parahalada Lord Narayana jumped from Garuda to save him and in this process his feet went deep into the earth.
History
t has Sri
Varahalakshmi Narasimha
Swamy as the presiding deity. The deity at Simhachalam, the lion-man
incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu is usually covered with sandalwood paste. The
original shape of the deity in the tribhanga
posture has two hands with the head of a lion on a human torso. An inscription
dated as far back as 1098 AD of the Chola
King Kuloththunga provides some clue as to its antiquity. Another inscription
shows a Queen of the Eastern Ganga of Kalinga
(ancient Orissa)
(1137-56 AD) covering the image with gold while a third inscription says the
eastern Ganga King of Orissa, Narasimha Deva, built the main/central shrine in
1267 A.D. With more than 252 inscriptions in Oriya
and Telugu describing the antecedents of the
temple, it is a historically important monument.Sri Krishna Deva Raya after defeating the Gajapati ruler of Orissa Gajapati Prataparudra Dev visited the shrine twice in 1516 AD and 1519 AD and offered numerous villages for maintenance of bhogam (worship) along with valuable jewellery of which an emerald necklace is still in the temple. For the last three centuries the royal family of Vizianagaram, "The Pusapati Gajapathi's" have been the temple's trustees. Giripradhikshana (circumambulation) around the hill range (~40 km) from Hanumantha vaka/MVP colony to Simhachalam is done by piligrims during the auspicious days. Crowds of elderly people/youth/children are observed walking the 40 km stretch overnight. They visit the temple after the long journey and give their offerings to the deity.
It is said that when Muslims during one of their invasions were about to destroy and plunder the temple, a poet by name Kurmanatha implored Lord Varaha Narasimha to save his temple and the Hindus. In response to his fervent prayers, a huge swarm of copper hornets suddenly appeared and attacked the invading army and drove them out of the city. The swarm disappeared behind a hillock after driving out the Muslim armies. That hillock is now known as Tummedala Metta (Tummedala=of hornet, Metta=hillock).
Geography
The
Simhachalam temple faces west unlike so many others which face east. An
east-facing entrance, according to religious belief, brings prosperity while a
west-facing one brings victory.The hilltop road, as well as the location of the eastern ghat ranges are beautiful and picturesque. The hills are densely populated with trees like cashew, shrubs, mango groves, etc. The forestry is protected and well conserved. The greenery attracts tourists as well as nature lovers.
The localities near the piligrame include Srinivasanagar, Prahladapuram, Sainagar colony, Simhapuri colony and many other housing area
Transport
The hill temple
of Simhachalam
Narasimha
Narasimha (Sanskrit: नरसिंह, Narasiṃha) or Nrusimha (नृसिंह, Nṛsiṃha), also spelled as Narasingh, Narsingh and Narasingha, whose name literally translates from Sanskrit as "Man-lion", is an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu and one of Hinduism's most popular deities, as evidenced in early epics, iconography, and temple and festival worship for over a millennium.[1]
Narasimha is often visualized as half-man/half-lion, having a human-like torso and lower body, with a lion-like face and claws.[2] This image is widely worshipped in deity form by a significant number of Vaishnava groups. He is known primarily as the 'Great Protector' who specifically defends and protects his devotees in times of need
Scriptural sources
References to
Narasimha are found in a wide variety of the Puranic scriptures, with seventeen
versions of the main narrative,[4]
some in more detail than others. The Bhagavata Purana
(Canto 7), Agni Purana (4.2-3), Brahmanda Purana
(2.5.3-29), Vayu Purana (67.61-66), Harivamsa
(41 & 3.41-47), Brahma Purana (213.44-79), Vishnudharmottara Purana (1.54), Kurma Purana
(1.15.18-72), Matsya Purana (161-163), Padma Purana
(Uttara-khanda 5.42), Shiva Purana (2.5.43 & 3.10-12), Linga Purana
(1.95-96), Skanda Purana 7 (2.18.60-130) and Vishnu Purana
(1.16-20) all contain depictions of the Narasimha Avatar. There is
also a short reference in the Mahabharata (3.272.56-60) and a Tapani Upanishad (Narasimha tapani Upanisad),
earliest of Vaishnava Upanishads named in reference to him
References from Vedas
One phrase of
the Rig Veda appears to indicate an epithet that has been attributed to the
form of Vishnu as Narasimha. It clearly calls the qualities of Vishnu that are
seen only in this avatar
as "like some wild beast, dread, prowling, mountain-roaming" (RV.I 154.2a). There is a
reference or an allusion to knowledge of Namuci story in RV.VIII
14.13: "With waters' foam you tore off, Indra, the head of Namuci,
subduing all contending hosts." This short reference is believed to have
culminated in the full puranic story of this highly popular Narasimha form.[
Narasimha and
Prahlada
The story of
Narasimha as described in the Bhagavata Purana
is as follows:In his previous avatara of Varaha, Vishnu killed a rakshasa known as Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha's brother Hiranyakashipu, greatly angered by this, started to abhor Vishnu and his followers. He decides to attempt to kill Vishnu by gaining mystical powers, which he believes Brahma, the chief among the devas, will award him if he undergoes many years of great austerity and penance. This initially seems to work as planned with Brahma becoming pleased by Hiranyakashipu's austerities.[5] Brahma thus appears before Hiranyakashipu and offers him a boon that he will personally make true anything he wishes for. In reply, Hiranyakashipu pleads himself to be made immortal.
"O Brahma, give me victory over death" he said. Brahma replied, "It is not possible." But, Brahma said he could bind Hiranyakashipu's death with certain conditions. To this Hiranyakashipu requested Brahma as follows:
O my lord, O best of the givers of benediction, if you will kindly grant me the benediction I desire, please let me not meet death from any of the living entities created by you. Grant me that I not die within any residence or outside any residence, during the daytime or at night, nor on the ground or in the sky. Grant me that my death not be brought about by any weapon, nor by any human being or animal. Grant me that I not meet death from any entity, living or nonliving created by you. Grant me, further, that I not be killed by any demigod or demon or by any great snake from the lower planets. Since no one can kill you in the battlefield, you have no competitor. Therefore, grant me the benediction that I too may have no rival. Give me sole lordship over all the living entities and presiding deities, and give me all the glories obtained by that position. Furthermore, give me all the mystic powers attained by long austerities and the practice of yoga, for these cannot be lost at any time. Brahma said, "Tatha asthu" (be it so) and vanished. Hiranyakashipu was happy thinking that he had won over death.
One day while Hiranyakashipu is performing austerities at
Hiranyakashipu eventually becomes so angry and upset at his son's devotion to Vishnu (whom he sees as his mortal enemy) that he decides he must kill him,[10] but each time he attempts to kill the boy, Prahlada is protected by Vishnu's mystical power. When asked, Prahlada refuses to acknowledge his father as the supreme lord of the universe and claims that Vishnu is all-pervading and omnipresent. Hiranyakashipu points to a nearby pillar and asks if 'his Vishnu' is in it:
"O most unfortunate Prahlada, you have always described a supreme being other than me, a supreme being who is above everything, who is the controller of everyone, and who is all-pervading. But where is He? If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar?"
Prahlada then answers, He was, He is and He will be. In an alternate version of the story, Prahlada answers, He is in pillars, and he is in the smallest twig. Hiranyakashipu, unable to control his anger, smashes the pillar with his mace, and following a tumultuous sound, Vishnu in the form of Narasimha appears from it and moves to attack Hiranyakashipu. in defence of Prahlada. In order to kill Hiranyakashipu and not upset the boon given by Brahma, the form of Narasimha is chosen. Hiranyakashipu can not be killed by human, deva or animal. Narasimha is neither one of these as he is a form of Vishnu incarnate as a part-human, part-animal. He comes upon Hiranyakashipu at twilight (when it is neither day nor night) on the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor out), and puts the demon on his thighs (neither earth nor space). Using his sharp fingernails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons, he disembowels and kills the demon.[12] Kurma Purana describes the preceding battle between the Purusha and demonic forces in which he escapes a powerful weapon called Pashupata and it describes how Prahlada's brothers headed by Anuhrada and thousands of other demons "were led to the valley of death (yamalayam) by the lion produced from the body of man-lion" avatara.[1] The same episode occurs in the Matshya Purana 179, several chapters after its version of the Narasimha advent.[1]
The Bhagavata Purana further narrates: even after killing Hiranyakashipu, none of the present demigods are able to calm Narasimha's fury, not even Shiva. So all the gods and goddesses call his consort, Lakshmi, but she is also unable to do so. Then, at the request of Brahma, Prahlada is presented to Narasimha, and finally he is calmed by the prayers of his devotee.[13] Before parting, Narasimha rewards the wise Prahlada by crowning him as the king.
Narasimha and Adi
Shankara
It is
believed by followers that Narasimha protects his sincere devotees when they
are in extreme danger. Near Srisailam, there is a forest called Hatakeshwanam,
that no man enters. Shankaracharya entered this place and did penance for many
days. During this time, a Kapalika, by name Kirakashan appeared before him.
Kapalikas are a set of people who live in the burial grounds and pray to God by
giving human and animal sacrifice. They were against Vedanta system of Adi
Shankara which preaches love and affection and shuns violence. He told Sri
Sankara that he should give his body as a human sacrifice to Kali. Sankara was happy to
hear this request and agreed. His disciples were shocked to hear this and
pleaded Shankara to change his mind but Shankara refused to do so saying that
it was an honor to give up his body as a sacrifice for Kali and one must not
lament over such things. The Kapalika arranged a fire for the sacrifice and
asked Shankara to sit beside it. Just as he lifted his axe to severe Shankara's
head, Lord Vishnu
as Narasimha entered the body of Shankaracharya's disciple, Padmapada, who was
a devotee of Narasimha, and fought the Kapalika, slayed him and thus freed the
forest of Kapalikas. Thus Adi Sankara composed the very powerful Lakshmi-Narasimha
Karavalambam Stotram at the very spot in front of Lord Narasimha.
Mode of worship
Due to the
nature of Narasimha's form (divine anger), it is essential that worship be
given with a very high level of attention compared to other deities. In many
temples only lifelong celibates (brahmacarya)
will be able to have the chance to serve as priests to perform the daily puja.
Forms where Narasimha appears sitting in a yogic posture, or with the
goddess Lakshmi
are the exception to this rule, as Narasimha is taken as being more relaxed in
both of these instances compared to his form when first emerging from the
pillar to protect Prahlada.
Prayers
A number of
prayers have been written in dedication to Narasimha avatar. These include:The Narasimha Maha-Mantra
Om Hreem Kshraum Ugram Veeram Mahaa-Vishnum,
Jwalantham Sarvatho Mukham
Nrisimham Bheeshanam Bhadram
Mrityu-Mrityum Namaamyaham.
"O' Angry and brave Maha-Vishnu, your heat and fire permeate
everywhere. O Lord Narasimha, you are everywhere. You are the death of death
and I surrender to You."
namas te narasimmhaya,
prahladahlada dayine,
hirannyakasipor vakssah,
sila ttanka nakhalaye
ito nrsimhah parato nrsimho,
yato yato yami tato nrsimhah,
bahir nrsimho hrdaye nrsimho,
nrsimham adim saranam prapadye
"Lord
Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Narasimha is there. He is in
the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Narasimha, the origin of
all things and the supreme refuge.""I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stone like chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu." (Narasimha Pranama)
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-srngam,
dalita-hiranyakasipu-tanu-bhrngam,
kesava dhrta-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
"O
Kesava! O Lord of the universe. O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of
half-man, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp
between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasplike demon
Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on your
beautiful lotus hands." (from the Dasavatara-stotra composed by Jayadeva)[14]
Tvayi Rakshathi Rakshakai: Kim Anyai:,
Tvayi Cha Arakshati Rakshakai: Kim Anyai:,
Ithi Nischita Dhee: Srayaami Nityam,
Nruhareh: Vegavathee Tataasrayam Tvam!
"O
Kamasikha Narasimha! you are sarva sakthan. When you are resolved to
protect some one, where is the need to seek the protection of anyone else? When
you are resolved not to protect some one, which other person is capable of
protecting us?. There is no one. Knowing this fundamental truth, I have
resolved to offer my saranagati at your lotus feet alone that rest at the banks of
Vegavathi river." (Kamasika Ashtakam by Vedanta Desika)
ADi ADi agam Karaindhu isai
PADip PADik KaNNIr Malgi engum
' nADi nADi narasingA endru,
VADi VADum ivvAL nuthalE!
"I will
dance and melt for you, within my heart, to see you, I will sing in praise of
you with tears in joy, I will search for Narasimha and I am a householder who
still searches to reach you (to attain Salvation)." (Divya Prabandham
2954)
Symbolism
- Narasimha indicates God's
omnipresence and the lesson is that God is everywhere. For more
information, see Vaishnava Theology.
- Narasimha demonstrates God's willingness and
ability to come to the aid of His devotees, no matter how difficult or
impossible the circumstances may appear to be.
- Prahlada's devotion indicates
that pure devotion is not one of birthright but of character. Prahlada,
although born a rakshasa, demonstrated the greatest bhakti
to God, and endured much, without losing faith.
- Narasimha is known by the
epithet "Mriga-Sharira" in Sanskrit
which translates to Animal-Man. From a philosophical perspective,
Narasimha thus is a symbol of Advaita
with man half representing the Jeevatma
and the Lion half the Paramatman.
Forms of Narasimha
There are
several forms of Narasimha, but nine main ones collectively known as
Navanarasimha(1) Ugra-narasimha (2) Kruddha-narasimha (3) Vira-narasimha (4) Vilamba-narasimha (5) Kopa-narasimha (6) Yoga-narasimha (7) Aghora-narasimha (8) Sudarsana-narasimha (9) Laksmi-narasima
In Ahobila, Andhra Pradesh, the nine forms are as follows:
(1) Chhatra-vata-narasimha (seated under a banyan tree)
(2) Yogananda-narasimha (who blessed Lord Brahma)
(3) Karanja-narasimha (4) Uha-narasimha (5) Ugra-narasimha (6) Kroda-narasimha
(7) Malola-narasimha (With Laksmi on His lap)
(8) Jvala-narasimha (an eight armed form rushing out of the pillar)
(9) Pavana-narasimha (who blessed the sage Bharadvaja)
Forms from Prahlada story:
Stambha-narasimha (coming out of the pillar)
Svayam-narasimha (manifesting on His own)
Grahana-narasimha (catching hold of the demon)
Vidarana-narasimha (ripping open of the belly of the demon)
Samhara-narasimha (killing the demon)
The following three refer to His ferocious aspect:
Ghora-narasimha, Ugra-narasimha, Chanda-narasimha
Others:
Panchamukha-Hanuman-narasimha, (appears as one of Sri Hanuman's five faces.)
Prthvi-narasimha, Vayu-narasimha, Akasa-narasimha, Jvalana-narasimha, and Amrta-narasimha, (representing the five elements)
Jvala-narasimha (with a flame-like mane)
Laksmi-narasimha (where Laksmi pacifies Him)
Prasada/Prahlada-varada-narasimha (His benign aspect of protecting Prahlada)
Chhatra-narasimha (seated under a parasol of a five-hooded serpent)
Yoga-narasimha or Yogesvara-narasimha (in meditation)
Avesha-narasimha (a frenzied form)
Attahasa-narasimha (a form that roars horribly and majestically strides across to destroy evil)
Chakra-narasimha, (with only a discus in hand)
Vishnu-narasimha, Brahma-narasimha and Rudra-narasimha
Pusthi narasimha, (worshipped for overcoming evil influences)
Early images of
Narasimha
In Andhra Pradesh,
a panel dating to third-fourth century AD shows a full theriomorphic squatting
lion with two extra human arms behind his shoulders holding Vaishnava
emblems. This lion, flanked by five heroes (viras), often has been
identified as an early depiction of Narasimha.[15]
Standing cult images of Narasimha from the early Gupta period, survive from
temples at Tigowa and Eran.[16]
These sculptures are two-armed, long maned, frontal, wearing only a lower garment,
and with no demon-figure of Hiranyakashipu. Images representing the narrative
of Narasimha slaying the demon Hiranyakasipu survive from slightly later
Gupta-period temples: one at Madhia and one from a temple-doorway now set into
the Kumra-math at Nachna, both dated to the late fifth or early sixth century
A.D.[17]An image of Narasimha supposedly dating to second-third century AD sculpted at Mathura was acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1987. It was described by Stella Kramrisch, the former Philadelphia Museum of Art's Indian curator, as "perhaps the earliest image of Narasimha as yet known".[17] This figure depicts a furled brow, fangs, and lolling tongue similar to later images of Narasimha, but the idol's robe, simplicity, and stance set it apart. On Narasimha's chest under his upper garment appears the suggestion of an amulet, which Stella Kramrisch associated with Visnu's cognizance, the Kaustubha jewel. This upper garment flows over both shoulders; but below Hiranyakasipu, the demon-figure placed horizontally across Narasimha's body, a twisted waist-band suggests a separate garment covering the legs. The demon's hair streams behind him, cushioning his head against the man-lion's right knee. He wears a simple single strand of beads. His body seems relaxed, even pliant. His face is calm, with a slight suggestion of a smile. His eyes stare adoringly up at the face of Vishnu. There is little tension in this figure's legs or feet, even as Narasimha gently disembowels him. His innards spill along his right side. As the Matsya purana describes it, Narasimha ripped "apart the mighty Daitya chief as a plaiter of straw mats shreds his reeds".[17] Based on the Gandhara-style of robe worn by the idol, Michael Meiste altered the date of the image to fourth century AD.[17]
Deborah Soifer, a scholar who worked on texts in relation to Narasimha, believes that "the traits basic to Vishnu in the Veda remain central to Vishnu in his avataras" and points out, however, that: "we have virtually no precursors in the Vedic material for the figure of a man-lion, and only one phrase that simply does not rule out the possibility of a violent side to the benign Vishnu". Soifer speaks of "the enigma" of Vishnu's Narasimha avatara and comments that "how the myth arrived at its rudimentary form [first recorded in the Mahabharata], and where the figure of the man-lion came from remain unsolved mysteries.".[18]
An image of Narasimha, dating to the 9th century, was found on the northern slope of Mount Ijo, at Prambanan, Indonesia.[19] Images of Thrivikrama and Varaha avataras were also found at Prambanan, Indonesia. Vishnu and His avatara images follow iconographic pecularities characteristic of the art of central Java. This includes physiognomy of central Java, an exaggerated volume of garment, and some elaboration of the jewelry. This decorative scheme once formulated became, with very little modification, an accepted norm for sculptures throughout the Central Javanese period (circa 730-930 A.D.). Despite the iconographic peculiarities, the stylistic antecedents of the Java sculptures can be traced back to Indian carvings as the Chalukya and Pallava images of the 6th-7th centuries AD
Temples dedicated to
Narasimha
In Andhra Pradesh
1. *Ahobilam
or Ahobalam is a major center of pilgrimage in South India, located in
the Nandyal Taluka of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, India. According to
local legend, this is where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed the
demon Hiranyakashipa. It is an important place of worship for Vaishnavas and is
one of the 108 Divya Desams.
2. *Penna Ahobilam
Lakshmi Narasimha temple
3. *Yoga Narasimha Swamy,
in Dharmapuri, Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh. It is said that at
Dharmapuri, Narasimha Deva meditated in Yogamudra, after his Ugrarupa.
4. Kotla-Narasimhulapalle,
Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh
5. *Kadiri Sri Lakshmi
Narasimha Swamy temple in Kadiri, Anantapur Dist, Andhra Pradesh.
6. *Shri Yogananda
Narasimha Swamy, Vedadri, near Vijayawada
7. *Shri Lakshmi
Narasimha Temple
8. *Shri Panakala
Narasimha Swamy, Mangalagiri, near Vijayawada
9. Shri Shobhanaachala
Vyaghra Narasimha Swamy, Aagiripalli, near Vijayawada
10.
*Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Antarvedi, Sakhinetipalle,
West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh
11.
*Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Peruru Village
12.
*Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Yadagiri Gutta, Near Bhongir, Nalgonda District,
Andhra Pradesh. See Yadagirigutta (Temple)
13.
Shri Matsyagiri Laxmi Narasihma Swamy Devalayam, Vemula Konda,
Valiginda mandal, Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh. The temple
of Lakshmi Narasihma swamy is on the rock hill
14.
Shri Varaha Narasimha Swamy, is the combination of Varaha avatar
and Narasimha avatar. When Prahlada was throwed into the sea, Shri Varaha
Narasimha swamy protected prahlada and raised a mountain. This mountain is the
Simhachalam *Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam
15.
Yoga Narasimha temple also know as Dakshina Simhachalam Singarayakonda,
Ongole, Andhra Pradesh
16.
Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Mallooru, Warangal District (~70KM
from Bhadrachalam), Andhra Pradesh.
17.
Sri Yogananda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Mattapalli (at the
confluence of Krishna and Musi rivers), about
15 km from Huzurnagar taluq, Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh (Bus
available from Miryalaguda/Kodada.
18.
Vadapally,
Near Miryalaguda, Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh
19.
*Shri Lord Lakshmi-Narasimha Swamy temple, Korukonda,
near Rajahmundry,
East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh.
20.
*Shri Malayadri Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Malakonda, near
Kundakur, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh.
21.
Shri Prasanna Narasimha Swamy temple, Singarakonda, Prakasham
district, Andhra Pradesh
22.
Shri Narasimha Swamy
Temple
23.
Shri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Penchalakona, Nellore
24.
Shri Limbadri Narasimha Swamy, Bheemgal taluk, Nizamabad district,
Andhra Pradesh
25.
Cheeryala Sree Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devastanam, Cheeryala,
Keesara Mandal, Rangareddy district, Andhra Pradesh
26.
Phani Giri gutta, Near Kottapet, Hyderabad
27.
Vedagiri Sree Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy, Narasimha Konda,
Near Nellore , Nellore
28.
Sri Jwala Narasimha
Temple
29.
Shri Narasimha Swamy
Temple
30.
*Shri Lakshmi Narasimha
Temple , Road No.12 Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
31.
Shri Lakshmi
Narasimha Swamy
Temple of PenchalaKona,Nellore
32
1. * Guttameeda Narasimha
swamy Temple
2. * Tarigonda Sri
Lakshmi Narasimha
Swamy Temple
In Karnataka
1. *Shri Guru Narasimha
Swamy Devasthana at Saligrama,
Udupi
district, Karnataka. Narasimha Idol here is in Yogananda Narasimha posture and
is from the 8th century as per historians. http://www.kootabandhu.org/gntdieties.html
2. Balele Lakshmi
Narasimha Temple ,
Narasimha Gudda, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore
3. * Sri Lakshmi
Narasimha Swamy
Temple Hosur Main Road ,
Bangalore India
4. Sri Yoga Narasimha, on
a hilltop fortress at Melkote, Nagamangala, Mysore District, Karnataka. In
Kannada, the term means, top (mele) fort (kote). The fort, situated on a
near-vertical hill is a strategic area, overlooking the plains. Melkote is also
the site of the famous Cheluvanarayana
Temple
5. Shri Narasimha Swami
Zarni Cave Temple, Bidar District, Karnataka - It is said that Lord Narasimha
after killing Hiranyakashpu, proceeded to kill a demon named Jalasura. Jalasura
was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. After he was killed by Lord Narasimha,
Jalasura turns into water starts flowing from Lord's feet. And to this day
water keeps flowing from lord’s feet and fills the cave.
6. Shri Yoga Mudre
Lakshmi Narasimha Swami, Mudugere, near Hassan, Karnataka
7. Shri LakshmiNarasimha,
Marehalli, Malavalli taluk Mandya district Karnataka.
8. Shri Shodasha Bahu
Narasimha Swamy, Karpara Kshetra, Koppara village, Raichur District, Karnataka.
9. Shri Lakshmi Narasimha
Temple, Koppara, Devadurga, Raichur, Karnataka
10.
Sri Yoganarasimha Devalaya, Mysore, Karnataka.
11.
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Malleswaram, Bangalore [4]
12.
Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple, Hatyal, C N Halli, Tumkur, Karnataka
13.
Shri Ugra Narasimha Swamy Devasthana at Maddur, Karnataka
14.
Shri Kambada Narasimha Swamy Devasthana at Sugganahalli, near
Kudur, Tumkur district, Karnataka
15.
Shri Kambada Narasimha Swamy Devasthana at Sondalagere, Kunigal
taluq, Tumkur district, Karnataka
16.
*Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthana at Srirangapatna, Mandya
district, Karnataka[22]
17.
Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthana at Kammasandra,
Nelamangala Taluk, Bangalore Rural District, Karnataka
18.
Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthana at Balepet, Near Kempe
Gowda bus stand, Bangalore
19.
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Bhadravathi, Karnataka
20.
Sheebi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sheebi, Tumkur Dist, Karnataka
21.
*Yoga Narasimha Swamy, Boga Narasimha Swamy temple,
Devarayanadurga, Karanataka
22.
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Balepet, Bangalore - a 500years old
temple.
24.
Sree Lakshminarasimha swamy temple, Doddadalavatta, Madhugi taluq,
Tumkur district, Karnataka
25.
Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Holenarsipura,
Hassan district,
Karnataka
26.
*Savandurga Narasimha Swamy Temple, Savana Durga,
Magadi taluk, Ramanagar District
27.
*Holé Narasipura, Hassan district, Karnataka.
28.
*Hatyaalu Betta, Tiptur Taluk, Tumkur District, Karnataka
o
Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Devasthana at Gorur, Hassan District,
Karnataka
29.
* Sri Ugra Narasimhaswamy Temple at Maddur, Mandya District.
30.
* Lakshminarasimhaswamy Temple at Nagamangala, Hassan District.
31.
* Gunja Narasimhaswamy Temple at T. Narasipura, Chamarajanagar
District.
32.
* Sri Narasimhaswamy Temple at Jekkenahalli, Tumkur District.
33.
* Sri Lakshminarasimhaswamy Temple at B.R.Koppulu,
Srirangapattana.
34.
* Thoravi Narasimhaswamy Temple at Bijapur.
35.
* Sri. Narasimhaswamy Temple, Shoorpali, Jamakandi Taluk,
karnataka.
36.
* Narasimha Temples run by GSB community in Karnataka are located
at Mulki (Sri Ugra Narasimha of S.V. Temple ), Mogarnad
(Panemangalore) and Kambada Narasimha at Nagar (Shimoga District)
37.
* Kambada Narasimha Swamy Temple at Alisandra, Nagamangala, Mandya
District. (Behind Nagathihalli on Bangalore - Mangalore road close to bellur
cross)
38.
* Sri Gunjam Narasimha Swamy, Baburayana koppalu,
Sriranghapatna,Mysore.
In Maharashtra and
Goa
1. *Sri Jwala Narasimha
Temple in Kole Narasimhapur, Walva, Sangli District, Maharashtra.
2. Shri Ugra Narasimha
Temple, Holi, Nanded, Maharashtra
3. Sri Laxmi Narasimha
Temple, 1420 Sadashiv Peth, Pune, Maharashtra.
4. Shri Laxmi Narsimha
Temple in Ranjani, Tal Ambegaon, near Manchar, District Pune, Maharashtra.
5. *Tathavade,
Near Chinchwad, Pune district, Maharashtra
6. *Nira Narsingpur,
Indapur taluq, Pune district, Maharashtra
7. Shri Laxmi Narsimha
Temple in Veling (Mhardol), Tal Ponda, Goa
8. Pokharni, Parbhani
district, Maharashtra.
9. Sangawade, Taluka
Karveer, District Kolhapur, Maharashtra
10.
Shree Lakshmi Narsimha Temple, Dhom, Tal. Wai, District Satara,
Maharashtra
11.
At Post - Nittur, Taluka - Chandgad, Dist- Kolhapur (around
40 km inside maharashtra from Belgaum. It is said that this temple was
built by Pandvas when they were in exile. This is ancient temple in a big rock,
it is engraved in a big solid rock.
In Tamilnadu
1. Ramapuram Narasimhar, also
known as Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar, at Ramapuram, Chennai.
2. Sri Lakshmi Narashimha
Swamy Kovil, Nangavalli (Near Mettur) Salem district, Tamil Nadu.
3. *Sri Azhagiya Singar
at Parthasarathy Kovil in Tiruvellikeni, Chennai.
4. Shri Narasimha temple,
Parikkal, Tamil Nadu
5. *Shri Yoga Lakshmi
Narasimha Swamy temple, Ghatikachala, Sholinghur, Tamil Nadu. More information on Sholinghur temple.
6. Sri Yoga Narasimha
Kovil at Chintalavadi, Tamil Nadu
7. Sri Kaattu Azhagiya
Singar, Srirangam,
Tiruchirapalli
8. Shri Lakshmi
Narashimar Temple, Ukkadam, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu
9. *Shri Ukkara Narshimar
Temple, Namakkal, Tamilnadu
10.
Shri Lakshmi Narasimhar Thirukoil, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
12.
Shri Ugra Narasimhar Temple, Singaperumalkoil,
near Chengalpattu
13.
*Ugra Narasimhar at Shri Prasanna Venkatachapathy Temple,
Keelapavoor, near Tenkasi
also known as South Ahobhilam
14.
Shri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple at Velachery,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
15.
Padalathri Narasimha Swamy, Singa Perumal Koil, near Chennai,
Tamil Nadu
16.
Nava Narasimhar Temple, Avaniyapuram, Tamil Nadu
17.
Shri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple, Keelavasal, near thanjore
palace, Thanjavur.
18.
Shri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple, Vallam, Thanjavur Dist.
19.
Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, injeemedu, near Vandavasi,
Tamil nadu.
20.
Shri Amirthavailli Nayaga Samadha Shri Yoga Nanda Narashima Swamy
TEmple Sogathur 6 km from Vandavai, Tiruvannamail DT. and 46 km from
Kancheepuram
21.
Shri Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Polur, near Thiruvannamalai
22.
Shri Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, PV Kalathur,
near Chengalpet
23.
Shri Yoga Narasimhar Temple, Kanchipuram
- (Tiruvelukkai
one of the 108 divya desams)
24.
Shri Bhargavi Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Narasapuram (Sandar
Setty Palli), Hosur Taluk, Krishnagiri District
In Kerala
1. Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple: Lord Narasimha
Murthy is one of the main deities in the temple.
2. Sree Narasimha Swamy
temple,Yeroor, kollam, kerala
3. Sri Narasimhaswami
Temple, Aymanam, Kottayam, Kerala
4. Anayadi Pazhayidam Sri
Narasimha Swami Temple, Sooranad, Kollam, Kerala
5. Sri Edappurathu
Lakshmi Narasimha Moorthi Temple, Puthuruthy, Kerala
6. *Kulasserry Temple
Thrissur, Kerala
7. Sri Narasimhaswami
Temple, Kadungalloor, Aluva
8. Sri Narasimha
Parthasarathy Temple, Thiruvangore, Kozhikode
9. West Pattissery Sree
VISHNU Temple CHALISSERY PALAKKAD
10.
Narasimha Temples run by GSB community in Kerala are located at Manjeshwar, Ullal, Thalassery,
Thuravoor
and Alappuzha
11.
Srinivasa Kovil, thekkumbhagom, Tripunithura - Here the god is
Ugranarasimha. Ernakulam District
12.
Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple, Kadungalloor, Alwaye, 683 108, Kerala,
13.
Pandavath Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple, Aymanam, Near Kottayam Town,
Kerala.
14.
Nechiyil Sree Narasimha kshetram, Rg:No 203/93, Cherapadum,(po)
k.v.kavu, malappuram, kerala,673637
15.
Sri Narasimhaswamy Mahakshetram, Thuravur, Cherthala, Alappuzha
16.
Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple, Peruva, Kottayam District, Keralam
17.
Muriyamangalam Narasimha swamy
Temple,Mamala,Thrivankulam,Ernakulam Dist[Near Chottanikkara Devi
temple]KERALA..
18.
Sri Ramamangalam Bala Narasimha Temple,Muvattupuzha to piravom route
( via ) pampakkuda. 15 km, Ernakulam,Kerala .Sree Shadkala Govinda Marar sung here. Both
the highest koddi Maram of Kerala for Narasimha and shortest Koddi Maram for
Ovu ( Pranala) Thangi Unni Bhootham is here in this Temple.30 km from
Ernakulam Railway station.
In Rajasthan
1. Shri Narsinghji
temple, AMER, Rajasthan
2. *Shri Narsinghji
Temple at Gudha, Rajasthan
3. Shri Narsinghji Temple
at Garhi, Hindon-Karoli Road, Karoli, Rajasthan
4. Shri Narsingh Mandir,
Hasampur, Between Kotputli and neem ka thana, Rajasthan
5. Narsinghji Ka Mandir,
Holidada, Ajmer, Rajasthan
6. Narsinghji Ka Mandir,
Lokhotiyon Chowk, Bikaner, Rajasthan
7. Narsingh Mandir, Daaga
Chowk, Bikaner, Rajasthan
8. Narsimha Mandir,
Khandela, Sikar, Rajasthan
In other places
1. *Megdi, Garud Taluk
(Tehsil), Bageshwar District, Uttaranchal
2. Narsinghji +
Navgrahvatika + NrisinghKund, Goverdhan, Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh
3. Narasimha mandir,
Indore.
4. *Mogri, Anand, Gujarat.
6. *Shri Marjaara
Nrusimha Temple, in his mighty cat-lion form near Nrusinghanath,
Baragarh district, Orissa
7. Narasimha Temple, near
Gundicha Temple, Puri, Orissa
8. Nrusingha
mandira,Nalabanta,Aska,Ganjam, Orissa
9. Nrusingha
mandira,Sunamba street,Aska,Ganjam, Orissa
10.
Nrusingha mandira,Bada bazar,Bramhapur, Orissa
11.
Sri Bhakti Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, London, United Kingdom
Sri
Kurmam
Sri Kurmam is a Village near Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located approximately 13 kilometers east of Srikakulam town near the sea. It is in the Gara Mandal of Srikakulam district
Geography
Sri Kurmam is
located at latitude of 18° 16' N, longitude of 84° 1' E and an altitude of 17
meters (59 feet).[1]
This location puts the temple about half a mile offshore in the Bay of Bengal.In Hinduism, an avatar /ˈævətɑr/ (Hindustani: [əʋt̪aːr], from Sanskrit अवतार avatāra "descent") is a deliberate descent of a deity to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being (i.e., Vishnu for Vaishnavites), and is mostly translated into English as "incarnation", but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation".[1][2]
The phenomenon of Avatar (descent of God in human and other forms[3]) is observed in Hinduism and Sikhism only. Thus Avataravada is one of the core principles of Hinduism along with Ekeshwaravada (One Supreme Divine Reality), Veda Praman (Authority of the Vedas), Atman, Karma, Murti Pooja, Ahimsa, and Punarjanma (Reincarnation).[4]
The term is most often associated with Vishnu, though it has also come to be associated with other deities.[5] Varying lists of avatars of Vishnu appear in Hindu scriptures, including the ten Dashavatara of the Garuda Purana and the twenty-two avatars in the Bhagavata Purana, though the latter adds that the incarnations of Vishnu are innumerable.[6] The avatars of Vishnu are a primary component of Vaishnavism. An early reference to avatar, and to avatar doctrine, is in the Bhagavad Gita.[7]
Shiva and Ganesha are also described as descending in the form of avatars. The various manifestations of Devi, the Divine Mother principal in Hinduism, are also described as avatars or incarnations by some scholars and followers of Shaktism.[7][8] The avatars of Vishnu carry a greater theological prominence than those of other deities, which some scholars perceive to be imitative of the Vishnu avatar lists.
In Sikhism, Avtar is a deliberate descent of a Soul to earth in any form.[9][9] Guru Granth Sahib believes in existence of Dasavtara. In Dasam Granth, Guru Gobind Singh had written three composition on Historical Avtars which include Vishnu Avtar, Brahma Avtar and Rudra Avtar.
History
According to
inscriptions in the temple dated 1281 A.D,[2]
the holy place of Kürmakshetra, was actually reestablished by Sri Ramanujacharya under the influence of Jagannatha
Deva at Jagannatha Puri, Orissa. Later the
temple came under the jurisdiction of the King of Vijayanagara. The deity was
worshiped by the Vaishnavas of the Madhvacharya
Sampradäya. Some Oriya inscriptions are said to be written by
Sri Narahari Teertha, who was in the disciplic succession of Madhvacharya(not
to be confused with Madhavacharya). He later became the ruler of Kalinga
Province(ancient Orissa)
and fought with the Sabaras, and saved the temple of Kürma. Narahari Teertha
was a very religious and powerful king who died in the Saka Era 1203. The
temple was constructed and dedicated in the holy name of Yogananda
Narasimhadeva. This temple was built in the Orissan temple architecture style.
SriKurmam Temple
There is a temple dedicated to
Sri Kurmanatha, which is the second avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kurma Avatar (Tortoise).
This is the only temple of Kurmanatha in India. There is also a Yoganandha
Narasimhan temple in front of Sri Kurmam temple. Simhachalam
Devasthanam took the responsibility for the temple improvement.The moolasthanam (central piece) is considered to be large saligrama.[3] The Kurma(Turtle) is known as Sri Kurmam in the 'Sampradayam'. The image is not a sculpture crafted by man, but the fossil of an actual (large-size) turtle. The head of the deity is in the form of a Kurma (tortoise) and is represented by a Vishnu namam, the tail being represented by a Saligrama presented by Adi Sankaracharya. The artistic beauty of the temple lies in the carvings of Vishnu and other deity statues in a glorious way of architecture. There is a mandapam in front of the temple on Lion pillars. One unique feature of this temple is that it has Dhwajastambams in the front and back of the temple. That is because the deity faces the back of the temple on the west
Kurma
n Hinduism,
Kurma (Sanskrit:
कुर्म) was the second Avatar of Vishnu. Like the Matsya Avatar also belongs
to the Satya yuga.
The only temple dedicated to the Kurma Avatar of Vishnu is located in Srikurmam,
Andhra Pradesh
Samudra manthan (The
Churning of the ocean)
The Devas
lost their strength and powers due to a curse by the sage Durvasa
because Indra,
the king of the Devas, had insulted the sage’s gift (a garland) by giving it to
his elephant (Airavata)
which trampled upon it. Thus, after losing their immortality and kingdom, they
approached Lord Vishnu
for help.Vishnu suggested that they needed to drink the nectar of immortality to regain their lost glory. However, they needed to strive hard to acquire the nectar since it was hidden in the ocean of milk. After declaring a truce with their foes (Asuras), Indra and his Devas together with the Asuras, use the serpent Vasuki as a churning rope and the mount Mandara as the churning staff.
When they began churning, the mount began sinking into the ocean. Taking the form of a turtle (Kurma), Vishnu bears the entire weight of the mountain and the churning continues.[1] Fourteen precious things come out of the ocean, culminating with Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, appearing with the nectar of immortality. The Asuras immediately rush and grab the nectar while quarrelling among themselves. Vishnu again comes to the rescue in the form of a beautiful damsel, Mohini and tricks the Asuras and retrieves the potion which is distributed to the Devas. Though the Asuras realize Vishnu’s tricks, it is too late, as the Devas regain their renowned prowess and defeat them.
Transport
To reach Sri
Kurmam --- first pilgrims have to go to Srikakulam in AP.NH 16 (formerly NH 5) gives a very good connectivity to Srikakulam on either sides of the town.
APSRTC bus station has two depots which provide service to almost all villages around the town. It has a very good connectivity to Visakhapatnam by non-stop services at every 10 minutes with a travel time of around 1 hour 50 minutes.
The nearest airport at Visakhapatnam is just 2 hours away by cab. Srikakulam Road railway station is just 15 minutes from the town by road.
(Continued...)
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