This article is on – Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy – Panakalarayudu
Lord Narasimha
Lord Narasimha is the most revered God of the people of Andhra. Several famous temples of Lord Narasimha make their presence felt throughout Andhra Pradesh. Of many temples of Narasimha spread all over, the five temples are very important.
5 Divine Temples
The five divine temples are situated at
- Mangalagiri,
- Vedadri,
- Mattapalli,
- Vadapalli, and
- Kethavaram.
These temples which are along the banks of river Krishna are so great that whoever serves, visits, performs adoration and just thinks of them gets their fears, omen from planets, sins from several births removed and they are blessed by the Lord with health, wealth and prosperity.
Mangalagiri – Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy
Mangalagiri is where Lord Laxminarasimha made his abode, which is called “Panakalarayudu” (panakam is jaggery water). The greatness of this temple is that whatever quantity of Panakam is offered to the Lord whether it is full of a pot or even a spoon, he swallows half of the content and leaves the remaining as prasadam to the devotees.
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Legend
In the times immemorial, this area was ruled by a king named Pariyathra. “Hraswasringi” was born to Pariyathra and his wife Susila. The boy who was born physically impaired and with several diseases, parents felt that if he visited several divine places, he may get rid of these fateful features of his body. While visiting many places, he arrived at this place. He meditated there for a long period.
Having found that his son did not return from his pilgrimage, his father Pariyathra went in search of his son and reached Mangalagiri and found his son meditating there. He requested his son to stop his meditation and return to the kingdom. Agreed to the request of his father, he prayed to God and turned himself into an Elephant first and later into a hillock.
The hill, which represents the form of an Elephant, has become the abode of Sri Narasimha Swamy. Another narration reads that Narasimha after killing a demon named “Samuchi” stayed back on this hill.
2 temples in Mangalagiri
There are two temples in Mangalagiri, one on the hill and the other in the village. The temple on the hills is the abode of Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy. There is a ghat road leading to the main temple or one can climb around five hundred steps to reach the Sanctorum. The temple on the hill has a main entrance and a Sanctum. The Lord in the Sanctorum is facing the west side. The Lord will be seen leaning to the wall with his mouth wide open.
The devotees offer Panakam to the Lord. He accepts half of what has been offered to him and leaves the remaining which shall be taken as Prasadam by the devotees. The temple is open up to noon. There is a strong belief that the Lord is served by Devatas and Munis thereafter.
The temple in the village is special and attracts many devotees. The main entrance faces east has 11 stairs and is about 153 feet in height. Lord Laxmi Narasimha attributed with Conch, Chakra (wheel), Blessing palm, Goddess Laxmi seated on his left lap provides Darshan in a peaceful posture.
It is believed that this statue has been installed by Dharmaraja in Dwapara yuga. The divine consort of the Lord, Goddess Rajya Laxmi is adored in a separate temple therein. In the sub-Sanctum of the temple, Lord Sita Rama Laxmana bless the devotees. Sri Laxmi Pushkarini (a pond of water) and Prapatti Anjaneya Swamy also bless the devotees in nearby temples.
