Tourism

LOCATION:

This temple is situated at an easily accessible distance of 12Km from Vijaywada and 13Km from Guntur.Mangalagiri has two temples,one at the foothills dedicated to "LakshmiNarasimha Swamy" and the other one on the mangalagiri Hill dedicated to "Panakala Narasimha".

ACCOMODATION:

There are number of Hotels in vijaywada and guntur and choultries provided by the government in mangalagiri.

HISTORY:

Lord Nrsimhadeva has established Himself on the hill in His man-lion form, assumed to kill the demon Hiranyakasipu, who was the rakshasa father of the great devotee, Prahlada. The Lord is also called Sudarsana Narasimhaswamy. After great penance, the rakshasa Namuchi obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that he would not be killed by anything wet or dry. He then began to harass Indra and the devathas. Encouraged and supported by Lord Vishnu, Indra commenced destroying the army of rakshasa Namuchi, who died in a cave in Sukshmakaram(small size), giving up his sthulakaram (physical manifestation). Indra dipped Sudarsanam, the disc of Lord Vishnu, into the foam of the ocean and sent it into the cave. Lord Vishnu manifested Himself at the centre of the disc, destroyed the Pranavayuvu (life breath) of the rakshasa with the fire of His exhalation. He thus got the name of Sudarsana Narasimha.

The blood that flowed from the body of the rakshasa seemed to have formed into a pool at the foot of the hill. The devathas themselves were unable to withstand the fire of the anger of the Lord and they prayed for appeasement. The Lord took amritam (nectar) and cooled down. This was in Krithayugam. The Lord said that he would be satisfied with ghee in Threthayugam, with milk in Dwaparayugam and with panakam (jaggery water) in Kaliyugam. Hence, in Kaliyugam the Lord is known as Panakala Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy.

FESTIVALS:

Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Brahmothsavam is very important annual festival in Mangalagiri. The celebration was inaugurated by Dharmaraja at the behest of Lord Krishna. Pradyumna, Krishna's son, requested his father to celebrate his birthday annually for a sapthaham (seven days) from Phalguna Suddha Sapthami. Lord Krishna entrusted this work to Dharmaraja, the eldest of the Pandavas, who was the successor to the throne at Hasthinapur.

At present the festival is celebrated for 11 days commencing from Phalguna Suddha Shasti (February-March). One day before Phalguna Suddha Purnima, i.e. on Chaturdasi, the marriage of Santha Narasimha Swamy, Sridevi and Bhoodevi is celebrated. The Agama sastra is followed for this celebrations. Before the marriage, Chenchus celebrate on the occasion of Narasimha Swamy marrying their daughter, Chenchu Lakshmi. On that night, Narasimha Swamy comes by his Sesha Vahanam and participates in Eduru Kola.

The next day after the marriage is Purnima, on which the Holi festival is celebrated. The same day here, people celebrate Tirunalla, and about 1,000,000 people come from local and from distant places congregate together. The Lord goes on procession in a big chariot and hundreds of devotees pull His cart with fervour and enthusiasm.

"Srirama Navami", "Hanumajayanthi"," Narasimhajayanthi"," Vaikunta Ekadasi" and "Mahasivarathri" are the other festivals celebrated here on a large scale. On Mahasivarathri, the Lord goes on procession in a small chariot.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is well connected with rail,road and this temple is between Vijaywada and Guntur.The better way to reach the temple is to get down either at vijaywada or at guntur and take bus connections.