Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
BY: SUN STAFF
Oct 16, CANADA (SUN) — Yadagirigutta lies near Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir), approximately 70 km. from Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most important holy places in the Nalgonda District. Yadagirigutta is especially famous for the Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.
In Tretayugam there lived a sage by the name of Yadarishi, who was the son of the great sage Rishyasrunga and Santa Devi. With the blessings of Anjaneya, Yadarishi did penance inside a cave on a hill between Bhongir and Raigiri. Pleased with Yadarishi's deep devotion, Lord Narasimha appeared before him in five different forms as Jwala, Yogananda, Gandabherunda, Ugra and Lakshminarasimha. These inconceivable Forms of the Lord later manifested Themselves into finely sculpted forms that later came to be worshipped as the Pancha Narasimha Kshetram.
There are Puranic and traditional accounts of this shrine at Yadagirigutta, which is a highly desirable place of pilgrims for devotees of Lord Nrsimhadev. Accounts in the Skanda Purana, one of the most famous 18 Puranas, mention the origin of this temple.
Within the cave shrine, carved out of the living rock, as are all the Deity images, the Jwala Narasimha, or Flame/Fire Form, is somewhat difficult to see.
Glowing bright atop the sikharam of garbha griha (the sanctum sanctorum) of this cave temple is the golden Sudarshana Chakra, which measures about 3 ft. x 3 ft.). Sudarshana Chakra is weapon of Lord Nrsimha, and it is a transcendental symbol by which this temple is identified from as far away as 6 km. It is said that many years ago, the Chakra moved in the direction from which the devotees came, acting like a compass guiding them towards the holy site.
Lord Narasimha is understood to have been worshipped by sages (rishis), and the region of Yadagirigutta is known be a Rushi Aradhana Kshetram, or the place of worship for sages.
Here, Lord Narasimha is understood to have assumed the role of a "doctor", and He is therefore known as Vaidya Narasimha by his devotees. They come to this shrine to be cured of many chronic diseases, of the influence of bad planets, and of black magic. Many instances are cited of the Lord appearing in the dreams of the devotees, administering medicines and operating on the patients, blessing them with good health.
Many devotees tell of vivid dreams in which Lord Narasimha comes to heal them from chronic or terminal illnesses, and even mental or emotional problems. A mandala (40 day) pradakshina is very popular, and is made by many devotees who have been cured of long-standing ailments or chronic disease. Often times, the Lord Himself is said to have imparted Mantropadesham to select devotees in their dreams.
It is also said that Sriman Narayana, pleased with Yadarishi's tapas, sent Sri Anjaneya to direct the rishi to a holy spot, where the Lord appeared to him in the form of Sri Lakshmi-Narasimha. This spot is marked by a temple located at the foot of the Yadagiri hill, located about 5 km from the present temple. There the sage worshipped the Lord for many years.
After Yadarishi attained moksha a number of tribals, hearing of the Lord's presence, came to worship Him at this temple. But not being very learned, these devotees began to engage in improper worship. Because of this, Sri Lakshmi-Narasimha moved into the hills. The tribals searched for many years to find their Lord, to no avail.
After many years had passed, the Lord appeared in the dream of a devout lady among the tribe, directing her to a large cavern wherein He revealed Himself to all as the five majestic Avatharams.
The Aradhanam and Puja in this temple are performed according to Pancharatra Agamam. The puja vidhanam was established by the late Sri Vangeepuram Narasimhacharyulu, who composed Yadagiri Suprabhatam, Prapatti, Stotram, and Mangalashasanam, and served as Sthanacharya of this temple
