Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh History and Interesting Facts

Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Quick Facts

Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Overview

Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is located on the hill of Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam, the largest city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is situated at an altitude of 800 feet above sea level. Along with this, the temple is 16 km away from northern Visakhapatnam. This is a Hindu temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the Hindu trinity deities, who is worshiped as Varaha Narasimha. Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is one of the 32 Narasimha Temples of Andhra Pradesh which are important pilgrimage centers.

Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple History

The history of Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is associated with a legend of Lord Vishnu. This temple is located in Simhachal which literally means lion or mountain hence temple is built on a hill.

It is believed that this mountain used to be the abode of Lord Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and at this place Lord Narasimha had descended to protect his devotee Prahlad. According to the Sthal Purana, Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, had built the First temple of Lord Narasimha at this place. This temple was built by the devotee Prahlad after the destruction of his father by Lord Vishnu's incarnation Narasimha.

But after his death this temple could not be maintained and this temple got absorbed inside the earth. After due time Pururava of Lunar dynasty once again discovered this temple and got it rebuilt. But according to the historians of the temple, an inscription dated 9th century AD has been found by the Chalukya Chola king Kulottunga I.

After which the temple was rebuilt several times in the 13th century and later the temple also received patronage from many royal families, among which the Tuluva Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire is notable.

The temple suffered 40 years of religious indifference from AD 1564 to AD 1604. Subsequently in 1949, the temple came under the purview of the state government and is currently protected by the Simhachalam Devasthanam Board.

Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Interesting Facts

1. On the holy day of Akshaya Tritiya, Lord LaxmiNrisingh is adorned with sandalwood, according to mythological texts, auspicious works are performed on Akshaya Tritiya, and it is believed that the real form of the idol of God can be seen only on this day.
2. Shri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is considered to be one of the few ancient temples of the world built in the eleventh century in the Sinhachal region.
3. Inside the Temple, there are three courtyards and five entrances. Due to this, the temple looks like a fort when viewed from the outside.
4. The architecture of the temple is a mixture of Kalinga architecture, Chalukya Architecture and Chola styles.
5. The temple faces west, representing the symbol of victory according to Purushottam Samhita and Vishnu Samhita, the Temple has several sub-temples and some mandapas.
6. Archaeologists have discovered about 500 inscriptions in the temple complex, some of which were made by contributions from kings, their officials and citizens. But most of the inscriptions are bilingual and they are written in Sanskrit and Telugu but mostly in Sanskrit.
7. Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha, a member of the Pusapati Gajapati family of the princely state of Vizianagaram, is the current hereditary trustee of the temple and has been serving the temple for the past three centuries.
8. Inside the Temple, there are images of Lord Vishnu, his consort Lakshmi, and Ajwar on the walls and the footprints of a Hindu saint at the entrance.
9. The Sanctum sanctorum of the temple is cube-shaped, with sculptures carved in the Chalukya style on the walls, and images of Indra and Gajalakshmi on the idols, similar to those of the Konark temple. On the southern wall of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, there is an idol of Narasimha killing Hiranyakashipu in the presence of Prahlad. Which is a unique feature of the Temple architecture and the form of a standing posture.
10. Inside the temple, there are two mandapas surrounded by a row of sculpted elephants depicting the outer world power and in the main hall of the temple, there is a pillar named Kappam Stambham, which is believed to have healing powers. Apart from this, there is a row of swans all around in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
11. Only Four main ornaments are used in the main temple complex, which includes a Thirunamam made of diamonds and rubies, a chain of emeralds, a 100 tola gold bracelet, and a golden crown.
12. Many important Festivals are celebrated in Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, among which Kalyanotsav, Narasimha Jayanti, Chandanotsava, and Kamdana, are important festivals. Kalyanotsav is celebrated on the 11th day of the first quarter of the Indian lunar month of Chaitra. Chandanotsav is also known as Chandan Yatra is celebrated on the festival day of Akshaya Tritiya (April - May). Narasimha Jayanti is celebrated in the first half of the month of Vaishakh (Vaisakh Sudan Chaturdashi) and the festival of Kamdana is celebrated on the full moon day in the Indian Hindi month of Falgun.