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Yadagiri
- Lakshminarasimha Aalayam
Popular as second Tirupathi in sanctity and popularity, the Yadagiri kshetra has etched an indelible name on the pages of
history of temples of our sacred IND. The holy shrine going by the name of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Devalayam is built on a
little lovely 300-foot-high hill called Yadagirigutta. Skanda Purana embodies elaborate account of the origin of this shrine.
Though the construction of the shrine is attributed to one of the commanders of Krishna Devaraya, there is no epigraphic
proof, yet it bears semblance to Vijayanagara temple models. It is also called Pancha Narasimha kshetra, due to the fact of
the archamurti's infinite compassion of giving darsan in three forms - Yogananda Narasimha, Jwala Narasimha, and
Gandabherunda Narasimha to Yadarshi, as desired. Besides these three distinct forms, the Principal deity embodies in
himself two more forms of Iakshmi Narasimha and 'Ugra Narasimha. Hence this kshetra is reverentially called Pancha
Narasimha kshetra. The deity is Swayambhu self-born. Needless to say its sacredness is million fold greater' comparatively.
According- to legend, Yadarshi, the son of Rishyasringa and Santadevi did long penance for the darsan of the Lords three
forms in one. Contented with his tapas, the Lord appeared, and blessed him as wished.
The Temple
Now walk up to the Sannidhi by a flight of 375 steps and avail the Lord's darsan and many more of adorable gods; and enjoy
the spectacles of the surrounding colourful panorama. The temple can be reached by bus or on foot and the ascent is quite
easy too. The entrance of the pathway called Vaikuntadwaram is so elegantly built and neatly maintained that it awakens
bhakti instincts at its very sight. There is Panchamukha Anjaneyaswamy shrine at the simhadwara of the temple atop. And
there is a cave under this shrine, where Lord Narasimha appeared in his Gandabherunda form to his devotee. Going a little
further down, we enter mukha mandap of the principal shrine. The garbhagiiha measures 30 X 12 feet and devotees have to
move bending heads, since it is a cave temple of insufficient height. Here stands the icons of Jwala Narasimha and
Yogananda Narasimha, but they are not distinctly visible, and so silver images of the deities are kept to offering prayer
services. The imposing archamurti dressed in dazzling jewels and colourful garlands pleases the beholders and confers
boons, when prayed soulfully. This Lord has a preference for Tulasi archana, and so Bhaktas offer it invariably on their visit.
He cures mental ailments and chronic diseases with mere circumambulation ritual only. 'Me Brahmotsav falling in the month
of Phalgun is a great event in the year, when lakes visit and turn the hill into a mini-Vaikunta with numerous devotional
activities and illumination of the entire hill. It is then the Kalyanotsav celebrated to the Lord at the mid-night. The Car festival
that follows is a star attraction too.
It lies 70 Km off the Hyderabad in AP; accessible by bus or train.
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