Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam /శ్రీ వరాహలక్ష్మీ నృసింహ స్వామి వారి దేవస్థానం, Simhachalam Rd, Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

The visit to this Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Simhachalam was a part of the “Kalinga and Ottara Desa Heritage Walk” organized by சோழ மண்டல வரலாற்றுத் தேடல் குழு, between 13^th to 18^th September 2024. The purpose of this Heritage walk was to see the places, monuments, etc., which are directly or indirectly connected as a proof of Rajendra Chozha’s victory mentioned in his meikeerthi/title over Kalinga and Ottara Desa, the present Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

This Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is one of the 32 Narasimha temples of Andhra Pradesh.

Moolavar  : Sri Narasimha Swamy

Thayar     : Sri Simhavalli / Varaha lakshmi

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

The hill temple can be accessed both on the Road and on the steps from the Hill base. Sakshi Anjaneyaswami Temple and Adavi Ganesh Temple are on the Steps route. Apart from Sri Varakalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sri Tripurantaka Swamy Temple, Seetha Ramaswamy Temple, Sri Rama Viswambhara Das Maharaj Temple ( Samadhi..?), Sri Vaikunta Narayana Swamy Temple, Bhulokamamba Ammavari Temple, An Ammavari Temple, Madhavadhara Temple, Lord Shiva Temple, A Ham Radio station VU2VBR repeater, and Kesha Kandasala are on the same Simhachalam Hill.

This Sri Varakalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple faces west with Rajagopurams in the West, South, and North directions, of which West and North are with 5 talas and the south is of 3 talas. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are after the West side of Rajagopuram. Footprints of Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu visited this temple in the year 1516 CE, installed by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in 1930. The footprints are on the North side of the steps beginning.

In Sanctum Sanctorum Moolavar is in the shape of Shiva Lingam, covered with sandal paste on Maha Vishnu’s idol. The sandal paste will be removed for 12 hours of darshan on Vaishaka Sudda Thadiya Day/ Akshaya Truthiya Day. In koshtam, Varaha Swamy, Narasimhar, and Maha Vishnu as Thiruvikrama. Radha, Krishna, Alwars and Utsavars are in Jagamohan Mandapam.

In praharam, Lakshmi Narayana, Andal, Ramanujar, Bhaktha Prahalad mandapa, Krishnamacharlu, Yaga Sala, Natya Mandapa, and Oil well. Moolavar’s jewels/ornaments museum is on the South West corner of the temple complex.

Stucco images of Narasimha with various weapons are in the niches of the west side compound wall. Stucco images of Maha Vishnus’s various postures and Dasavatar are on the top of the compound wall.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Garbhagriha, Jagamohan, and Nattamandira, built in a fusion of Kalinga and Dravida Architecture.  Both Garbhagriha and Jagamohan  Vimanas are in pidha style architecture. The Sigaram are in Dravida vesara style. 

The sanctum sanctorum or the Garbhagriha is on a prati bandha adhistanam with jagathy (miniature /inch sculptures), Vrudha kumudam kapotam, and Prativari. The Vimana is of 3 tiers in pidha Duela  Kalinga style, like a stepped pyramid. The sanctum sanctorum walls have the sculptures of Kalinga style similar to Konark.  The south wall has the sculpture of Narasimha Killing Hiranyakashipu keeping his lap and Parahalada is in standing posture. Narasimha is with 4 arms. The upper arms are holding Shankha and Chakra and the Lower arms are tearing Hiranyakashipu’s stomach. The north wall has the sculpture of Varaha in three bangha posture. The sculpture of Krishna lifting Govardhana is above Varaha. The corners of the base of the vimana bear lion statuettes symbolizing Narasimha. On the eastern face of the Vimana, images of Indra and Gajalakshmi are found. The pilasters are of Brahma Kantha pilasters. Elephant heads with raising trunk sculptures are in the Jagathy and Viyyalavari. Stucco images of Ashtadikpalas and Maha Vishnu’s Dasavatar are on the Vimana.

The jaganmohan Mandapa adhistanam is with Padma jagathy, 16 patta Kumudam, and Prativari. The Pillars are with malai thongal, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, and pothyals. In Malai thongal, pearls come out of Lion’s mouth.

The Natya mandapa is on the right side after the North side Rajagopuram entrance. The mandapa is supported with 16 black granite stones. The mandapa pillars have with squatting lion at the bottom, malai thongal, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, and pothyals. Miniature sculptures are on the pillar square and center. The Pothyals are of different kinds, some with lotus flowers, facing down and side, etc. The Vishnu and Krishna avatar’s miniature sculptures are on the pillars.

The kalyana mandapa is with 96 pillars. The pillars have the bas reliefs of various avatars and forms of Maha Vishnu, Maha Lakshmi, and Alwars.

Temple History:

The exact year and the King constructed this temple are not known. The Vengi Chalukyas of Andhra Pradesh renovated the original shrine in the 11^th century. The present structure of the temple was renovated by Narasimha-I of the east Ganga Dynasty, in the second quarter of the 13^th century CE (1267 CE) and consecrated by his son Bhanudeva-I, in 1268 CE. 

More than 523 inscriptions are recorded from this temple and published in South Indian inscriptions Volume -6, from 692 to 1215. Most of the inscriptions record the burning of lamps in the sanctum sanctorum, prayers, and offerings, for the same donation given in terms of money, gold, lands, etc.  

The SII Volume-6, inscription 1144 (ARE 363 of 1899) is inscribed in Tamil is the earliest. This inscription is partially damaged from lines 41 to 79. The Chozha king Kulothunga Chozha-I’s Saka 1087, 1165 CE, inscription, starts with his meikeerthi, records the establishment of an endowment of Maduranthaga Brahmaraya sandhi naivedyam, for the same 10 maadai Gold was deposited in the treasury of this temple. Also, land was gifted as Irayili and the yield from the land has to be deposited in the treasury.

Another Tamil inscription SII Volume-6, No 1175, ARE 365-VIII, of 1899, records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp, for the same 5 maadai pon was deposited in the Treasury. The endowment has to continue till the Sun and Moon exist from the interest earned.

Tamil inscription SII Volume -6, No 1214, ARE 365-XLVII, of 1899, without King’s name, but 22^nd reign year inscription records the gift of a flower garland to the God, by the Chozhamandalathu Thiruvaduthurai alias Vuruthuraja payangarapuram merchant Siruvandur Kizhavan Petran Rajendra Chozheecharamudaiyan.

Another Tamil damaged incomplete inscription SII Volume -6, No 1215, ARE 365-XLVIII, of 1899, without King’s name, records the endowment of Thirumanjanam (sacred bath), on two auspicious days, for the same total 120 maadai pon was gifted to this temple, by a merchant. 

As per the Vijayanagara period inscriptions records the King Krishna Deva Raya, visited this temple in the years 1516 & 1519 C.E, after he defeated Gajapati ruler of Orissa Gajapati Prataparudra Dev on two different accounts.

The fragmentary damaged inscription in Telugu on the outside wall dated Saka 1089 (1167 CE) Uttarayana Sankranti, seems to be the record of the gift of 100 naragadyanas (gold coins) as a deposit in the temple pandaram (treasury) by Tirupana Dasari Kuntta for lighting the perpetual lamp to Lord Narasimha, on Uttarayana Sankranti." Tirupana Dasari Kuntta wanted the treasury to light 'Akhanda Deepam' in the sanctum sanctorum. The inscription also mentioned the measurement known as 'Narasimha Manika', used to measure the oil in that particular region. (An Article in The New Indian Express dated 2023).

The recent finding by an Epigraphist Bhisnu Mohan Adhikari, the inscriptions on a pillar in the temple's 'Asthana Mandapam,' consists of two rows and three columns, reads: "Aatreya Gotravathi Sri Sri Sri Nilamani Pattamahadei Sada Seva Raghunathapur," written in Odia, reveals a donation made by Queen Gajapati Nilamani Patta Mahadevi of the Eastern Ganga dynasty for the "Sada Seva," or daily offerings to the presiding deity, Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. The inscription also mentions the queen's gotra, referring to her as "Aatreya Gotravati" and her royal estate, Raghunathapur, which was part of the Ganjam District during the Madras Presidency. (An Article in The New Indian Express dated 12^th Aug 2024)

Ref:

1. FB of the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam. 

2. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068528907141&sk=about

3. The Indian Express Dated 12^th Aug 2024 & 2023.

4. South Indian Inscriptions Volume-6. Nos 692 to 1215 (ARE 1899).

LEGENDS

As per the legend, the two Demon brothers (the Jayan and Vijayan, the Dwarapalakas in their previous birth), Hiranyakashyap and Hiranyaksha, whose main aim was to become a God of the Universe, like Maha Vishnu. Hiranyaksha took the earth (Bhudevi) and concealed it under the pathala loka. Maha Vishnu took the form of Varaha retrieved the earth from Hiranyaksha and killed him. On hearing the death of Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakashyap swore to take revenge on Maha Vishnu.

  

Hiranyakashyap, did a penance on Brahma and obtained a boon of not being killed by, either man or animal, during day or night, inside or out of the palace, on the ground or in the air, and with or without a weapon.

After getting the boon, Hiranyakashyap, the demon King started to behave like a God and ordered his people to worship him and chant only his name. But his son Prahalad was an ardent devotee of Maha Vishnu, hearing the name, since he was in his mother’s womb didn’t obey his father’s order. Hiranyakashyap, compelled to worship only him. Prahalad, didn’t listen to his father and chanted only the name of Maha Vishnu and told him that he was everywhere in this universe. This made Hiranyakashyap angry and tried to kill his own son, many times, but failed.

At one stage, Hiranyakashyap, asked his son, whether his God Maha Vishnu was in the pillar to come out and save you. Prahalad replied, yes. Irritated Hiranyakashyp, beat the pillar with his gatha. Maha Vishnu in the form of Narasimha ie Simha's head and the human body, broke the pillar and appeared, during the Day and Night meet. Maha Vishnu, took and kept Hiranyakashyp on his lap (not on the floor or in the space), sitting on the frame of the Palace door (not outside or nor inside), tore the stomach with his nails. Took out the intestine and used as garland and killed him. Later Prahalad built a temple of Maha Vishnu on this Hill Simhachalam.   (This legend in Tamil Nadu is little modified in Andhra Pradesh. In that Hiranyakashyp’s soldiers threw Prhalad from the Mountain, The soldiers kept the mountain on Prahalad, etc.)

It is believed that the original temple was dedicated to Shiva and the Moolavar is a Shiva Linga. The Shiva temple was converted as a Maha Vishnu Temple, by Ramanuja.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas as per pancharatra agama, special poojas are conducted on Chandanotsava on Akshaya thiruthiya day ( the sandal paste will be removed and nija pada darshan will be given to the devotees ), Pellivari Rata utsavam, Kalyanotsava, Narasimha Jayanthi, Navaratrotsava, Kamadahana Utsavam with Dolotsava Utsavam, Krishna Janmashtami, Kartika Deepavali,  and many mini-festivals. Devotees circumambulate the hill on Pournami / full moon days as Giripradakshina.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs, 12.30 hrs to 15.00 hrs, and 16.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs. During pooja times Darshan is not allowed.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline numbers of the temple are +91891-2764949 and +91891 2979666.

HOW TO REACH

All the APSRTC buses and Private buses will run up to the base of the Hill. From the base of the Temple can be reached, through Devasthanam bus, Auto, Van or Car, etc.

From Visakapattinam Railway Station, bus route no 6A, from Dwaraka bus stand bus routes nos 6A, 28, and 40, from Gajuwaka bus no 55, and from Maddilipalem bus No 540, runs up to the base of the Simhachalam Hill. 

Nearest Railway Station is Visakapattinam (About 17 KM).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

PC : Some of the photos in this post are from My Son Dharendharan and Websites. Thanks to the unknown Photographers

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---