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Simhachalam and Indrakeeladri – City of Temples

Posted On : Jul-25-2011 | seen (238) times | Article Word Count : 769 |

Simhachalam is also known as Simhadri is known for its Hindu temple located near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, South India.
Simhachalam is also known as Simhadri is known for its Hindu temple located near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, South India. It is dedicated to the incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu known as Narasimha (the man-lion).
Atop the hill is a famous temple said to be the abode of Varaha Narasimha Swami, and hence the hill itself is called (nara)simhachalam. The temple is situated in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh combines the Orissan and Chalukyan features of temple construction, and it attracts scores of pilgrims from both Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. The presiding deity here is Varaha Lakshminarasimha, combining the iconographic features of Varaha and Narasimha. The image resembles a Shivalingam covered with sandal paste. Once a year, during the Chandana Visarjana the sandal pastes is removed, and the image is seen by pilgrims. Legend has it that the Ugra form of Narasimha as he killed the demon Hiranyakashipu was so fierce that the image is kept covered by sandal paste throughout the year. This temple boasts of a beautiful stone chariot drawn by horses. The Kalyana Mandapa within the temple has 16 pillars with bas reliefs depicting the incarnations of Vishnu. The artwork here has elements of similarity with that of Konark. Elephants, flowers and plants are portrayed in plenty. The outer walls of the sanctum depict images of a royal personality (said to be King Narasimha) in various postures.
The famed emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire Sri Krishna Deva Raya after defeating the Gajapati ruler of Orissa Gajapati Prataparudra Dev visited the shrine twice in 1516 AD and 1519 AD and offered numerous villages for maintenance of bhogam (worship) along with valuable jewelry of which an emerald necklace is still in the temple.
Places to Visit:
Govindraja Swamy Temple
Simhavalli Tayaru Temple
Lakshminarayana Swamy Temple
Varahalakshminarashima Temple
Lakshmi Devi Temple
Indrakeeladri:
Vijayawada, in Andhra Pradesh, is the sacred pilgrim centre housing one of the most famous and splendorous temples dedicated to Goddess Kanaka Durga. Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada, is the most visited pilgrim centre situated on the mountain named Indrakeeladri on the banks of the river Krishna. The piligrims visit this place to attain meritorious worlds and an ultimate salvation, which is supposed to be the goal of human life.
Kaalika puraana, Durgaa sapthashati and other vedic literature have mentioned about Goddess Kanaka Durga on the Indrakeelaadri and have described the deity as Swayambhu, (self-manifested) in Triteeya kalpa.
The legendary story states that, Indrakeela, a shaakteya devotee performed great repentance and when Goddess appeared, he requested her presence on him. Then Goddess Kanaka Durga asked him to transform into a mountain and after killing Mahishaasura, she resided on the mountain named Indrakeeladri. On the request of the other Gods, Goddess Durga killed the demon Durgama where she turned into golden color. So the Gods praised her as Kanaka Durga (Kanaka means Gold).
During the Dwaapara Yuga, one among the Pandavaas, Arjuna did great penance on this mountain Indrakeeladri for Lord Shiva in order to get the most powerful Astra called Paashupataastra. Later, Lord Shiva appeared to fulfil the desire of Arjuna and called him as Vijaya (victorious). On account of Arjuna’s victory, this place was known as Vijayawada. Arjuna realized that he could get the Paashupataastra only by the grace of Goddess Kanaka Durga so he started worshipping her and named her as Brahmaastreshwari. Arjuna is also known as Phalguna, since he performed penance here, this place derived its name Phalgunikshetra. Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Agastya, Bharadwaaja, Markandeya, Paandavaas, Aadishankaraacharya, Sri Krishnadevaraya and many others worshipped this deity in Vijayawada.
Apart from Kanaka Durga, Lord Shiva is also worshipped here as Malleeshwara. The legend says Lord Brahma did penance for Lord Shiva and worshipped him with jasmine (malle) flowers, owing to which Lord Shiva is known as Malleshwara. In Kaliyuga, Aadi Shankaraacharya, in order to pacify the furious form of Kanaka Durga, Shri Chakra was installed and worshipped. Many people visit this temple and the number of pilgrims increases in folds every Friday. Every year on Chaitra Shuddha Pournami, Vasanta Kalyanam is performed to Goddess Durga and Lord Malleshwara. Brahmotsavams in the temple are performed in Vasanta Ritu and the kalyaana performed during the utsavams is known as Vasanta Kalyana.
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