MANGALAGIRI - BHRAMARAMBA MALLESWARAALAYAM

The very name, 'Mangalagiri' conjures up an awesome picture of Lord Narasimha and His fantastic craze for panakam-jaggery beverage, which He swallows gallons after gallons every day. This holy kshetra has many awe-inspiring legends taking their origin as far back as in Tretayuga itself; and it is one of the famous centres of Narasimhopasana, and a pilgrim town of All India fame. There are several temples atop the hill called Hastasringi parvat and down below, like Venkateswaraswamy Aalayam, Satyanarayanaswamy Aalayam, Rajyalakshmi Narasimhaswamy Aalayam, Bhramaramba Malleswaraswamy Aalayam etc. It is a Hariharakshetra first and last. And always at it.

This Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna temple is one of the main Aalayas lying at the foot of the hill. It is equally popular in luring adorers, despite surrounded by several Vaishnavate Aalayas, and what is more popular due to the magnetic pull, Sri Panakala Narasimhaswamy is exerting by His exciting thirst for panakam and showering boons liberally. Of the special features of this Saivate shrine, the beautiful image of Brahamaramba in standing posture lying next to Malleswaraswamy is quite enticing. The floral decoration enhanced by the dazzling jewels of the six-foothigh archamurtis - the Adidampatis is such a quite enchanting sight that lives in the memory of viewers permanently. The craftsmanship of the sculptor is decidedly superb. The temple contains all the worshipful Saivate gods like, Vinayaka, Mother Parvathi, Muruga etc. in appropriate niches, and are adored with great fervour. The temple though not as big as the Rajyalakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple; it is visited by the devotees regularly in large numbers. Periodical festivals are celebrated matching to the divinity and position of the deities.

It lies 15 km off Vijayawada, the Premier city of Andhra Pradesh, commanding air, rail, road facilities. And can be reached by town bus from Vijayawada.

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