Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated at Nellore at Andhra Pradesh. Nellore was earlier known as Vikrama Simhapuri.
The legend
There is a story behind the emergence of the temple.
Flying mountains
In earlier days, the mountains had four wings. They had the capacity to fly from one place to the other. It is believed that the Mountain Malayagiri was flying from Kanyakumari to Himalayas. On the way, one of its wings fell at this place named Vedagiri and the other three wings fell at Yadagiri, Mangalagiri and Nandagiri.
God’s blessing
The Mountain Malayagiri was saddened at the loss of wings and had worshipped Lord Maha Vishnu for redemption. The Lord granted the boon that the fallen wings would be considered as sacred and become places of worship. Each of the places has Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temples.
Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
This temple is atop a small hillock called Narasimha Konda near ‘Jonnawada’.
As per the inscriptions at the temple, it is believed that the temple was built by the Pallava King Narasimha Varma in 9th Century near the banks of Penna river (Pinakini).
Saptha Rishis
There are seven sacred Koneru (water tanks) which are renovated with Mandapas on Narasimha Konda. It is also believed that as per Sri Brahma Purana, Sage Kashyapa alongwith the other fraternity of Sri Saptha Rishis viz., Atri, Vasistha, Vishvamitra, Gautama Maharishi, Jamadagni and Bharadvaja had kept seven homa kundams on the top of this hill and did Yagna (homam / havan) here.
Homam
They had installed the vigrahas of Sri Govindaraja Swamy and His consort Sri Prasanna Lakhsmi to protect the Homam. The rituals were done in three places at Nellore namely Vedagiri, Ratnagiri (Jonnawada) and Talpagiri (Ranganayulula peta).
Sri Narasimha Swamy
Sri Narasimha Swamy emerged from the homam in the form of light. The said light had travelled north and entered a cave on the hilltop. Kashyapa Maharishi had installed the murthy of Sri Nrushimha at that place on an auspicious day which had Swathi, the birth star of Sri Narasimha. Sri Nrushima has four hands; The lower hands bless abundance and protection; The upper hands hold conch and holy wheel.
Koneru
The seven homa kundams were then converted into koneru and mandapams were built above them.
Sri Rama’s visit
It is also believed that as per the Aranya Kandam of Sri Ramayana, Sri Rama had visited here and worshipped Sri Narasimha when He was wandering the forests during His vanvas days.
Sri Balaji’s visit
Sri Balaji of Thirupathi had also visited here and worshipped Sri Narasimha.
Ashwathama
It is also believed that Ashwathama, the son of Dronacharya, as ordained by Lord Sri Krishna, is still doing penance in immortal form for alleviating his sin of killing Draupati’s sons.
Sanctums
The sanctum of Sri Narasimha is atop a hillock with a few steps and the sanctum of His consort Sri Chenchu Lakshmi is at another top structure nearby as Sri Adi Lakhsmi.
Timing and festivals
The temple is normally open from 6.00 A.M to noon and from 3.00 P.M to 8.00 P.M subject to change according to Neivedyam times. The days with Swathi star are celebrated specially. Brahmotsavam is held in May where Sri Narasihma Jayanthi falls before Vaisakha Pournami.
