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Nagalapuram
- Vedanarayana Swamy Aalayam
This reputed Vaishnava kshetra dedicated to Matsyarupa Mahavishnu has many uniques that cast a spell on both devout
theists and casual visitors by many of its odd legends. Fittingly enough, the Matsyarupa archamurti is named
Vedanarayanaswamy; for, it is he, who killed the demon Somaka, hid in the sea and restored the Vedas to Brahma. The
story is vividly represented by a series of sculptural pieces adorning the walls of a pretty mandap in the temple. This is a big
temple with three prakaras, and four broad entrances on fours sides, beautified with tall imposing towers. There are many
mandaps in the second compound installed with august deities, like Lakshmi Narasimha, Viranjaneya, Kodandarama etc. All
are well chiselled and display superb artistry of the sculptors as exemplified by the Trimurti idol which emits Saptaswaras
when struck with stone. The Vedavalli Tayaru shrine built in the Dravidian style of architecture, facing east contains all the
essential parts. The icon of the Mother is quite enticing.
The
Temple
The main temple facing west is exceedingly vast in dimensions and possesses all the indispensable component parts, like
garbhagriha, mukhamandap and mahamandapas. The Mahamandap has many niches adorned with the most adorable rare
deities such as Hayagriva, Trimurti, Trivikrama, Iakshminarayana, Lakshmi Varahamurti, Vishnu, Venugopala, Bhudevi etc.
The icons are the best specimens of Vijayanagara style of sculptural art that brought colourful feathers to Silpakalamatalli.
Sri Krishnadevaraya, the illustrious Andhra bhoja, who caused it built in memory of his mother Nagamamba, spent lavishly,
befitting his status and taste. In addition to building it in grandiose manner, he donated many valuables along with extensive
lands for its maintenance. Not satisfied with it, he named the place Nagamambapuram after his mother and in course of time,
it became Nagalapuram. Inscriptions bear ample testimony to this fact.
The
Archamurti
The Mulavirat is Matsyarupa Mahavishnu with Bhumata by his side. The granite statues are quite attractive and are placed
on a high dias. The Lord is Tailabhishekapriya - bathing with oil and blesses the performers of this ritual with boons, always
found to be out of proportion. Of the creditable features, the temple proudly broadcasts, the worshipping of the presiding
deity by Surya Bhagawan once a year. This ritual is called Surya seva, and there is a big festival celebrated on this rare
occasion, when lakes of people visit and observe this unique phenomenon. In the month of March, on three consecutive
days, the Sun adores the Lord with his bright rays passing through the tall tower of the Mahadwara. On the first day, they fall
at the feet of the Lord; on the navel. the second day and finally on the face, the third day. The whole garbha griha is
illumined for a short while and transports the viewers to Vaikunta, to say the least. It is a miss-not unique opportunity, which
the devout Bhaktas await with great enthusiasm. The Brahmotsav celebrated in Vaisakha mass is another star-attraction of
this Matsyarupa Mahavishnu temple commonly called Vedanarayanaswamy temple.
It lies in Nagalapuram of Satyavedu Taluk of Chittoor district of Andhra pradesh. And 50 km off Tirupathi, the world
renowned Balaji kshetra. As it lies on Tirupathi-Madras highway, many APRTC buses from Tirupathi Chittoor and Tamil
Nadu buses from MadrasTirupathi are plying round the clock.
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