Sreemath Kadiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh

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Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located in the Kadiri Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Narasimha spontaneously evolved from the roots of the Kadiri tree to the killer Hiranyakashyap. The idol of Lord Narasimha wipes away the sweat after daily holy bath or anointing, which is the unique quality of this idol. This pilgrimage is the centre of Hindu devotees. The festival is celebrated every year with great pomp and ceremony. Kadiri is the name given to this place by the name of Lakshmi Narasimha Swami who came out of the Kadiri tree. Kadiri refers to the canary tree or Indian mulberry.

Narasimha Swamy Temple was built during the royal period. The speciality of the idol of Lord Narasimha Swami is the daily holy bath or sweating after Abhishekam. The idol of Narasimha Swami in the temple has eight arms and lion faces, with Hirankashyapa and Prahlada standing behind folded hands. The idol portrays the entire mythological story. The temple is spread over a wide area surrounded by vast beautiful idols. Areas like Garbhagruha and Mukha Mandapam is an example of legendary architectural works of Thretayugam. Garbagruha is decorated beautifully with four Lions in the corner.

The temple has four entrances, the main entrance of which is built by Harihararaya, the eastern gateway. The statue of Anjaneyaswamy can be seen at the entrance of the Eastern Ghats. The lotus-shaped Dias depicts Narasimha Swami, behind which is the posture of Prahlada and Anjaneya near the main entrance. A beautiful idol of the deity with four arms and the goddess Lakshmi is placed in another temple in the Prahladhanukra Murthy complex.

According to the mythology, the ceremonial bodies were handed over to Brigu Rishi by the Lord Himself in a box or coffin for his daily worship. The Lord is also worshipped under the names of Vasantha Vallapudu or Vasantha Madhavalu as it is consecrated in the spring. The Madileru River, also known as the Arjuna River, is famous for the river where Arjuna did penance. The course of the river is called 6 theerthams respectively.

Sweta Pushkarini
Bhrugu Theertham
Sesha Theertham
Kunti Theertham
Laxmi Theertham
Ganga Theertham
Garuda Theertham
Bhavanasi Theertham.

History

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is one of many renowned shrines in the Rayala Seema that are ranking in importance with the great shrine of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, in Tirupati. The local hill called stotradri is the place where the devas worshiped the Lord after he destroyed the demon Hinranyakasipu in Durgam in Godduvelagala vge, which is located near this Kadiri city.

Some derived meanings are attributed to the word Khadri which denotes the place with a hill representing the feet of Vishnu. Another version is that the city is named after the Khadri tree (Acacia catchedu) under which the idol of the local Narasiha Swamy temple is located. The place of kadri and its surroundings are connected with various Pouranic legends. It is said that the sage Vedavyasa, without being known to the asuras, gave lessons to his disciples and that is why the place is called Kedaranyam. The tradition is that the present city was formerly a jungle under the Patnam polygroup and that the city is coeva, with the temple named after the tree under which the idol was found in an anthill. The jungle was cleared by the polyigar and the temple built on the site. The Mulavarlu in this temple is also said to have been made of wood like Puri Jagannadh in the state of Orissa and was housed in the branch of the Chandra tree. The mulavarlu is also said to be Swayabhu.

The image of Sri Narasimha Swamy is in human form with a Lion’s Head, covered in silver armour decorated with silver shoulder blades, moustaches and eyes and is in the posture of carrying Hiranyakasipu’s stomach. The image of the deity procession has the shape of Vishnu made of metal with Bhudevi and Sridevi on either side. Actually, the kings of the Paschima Chalakya dynasty housed Durgadevi under an incredible curved pillar of mandapam stone and Lakshmi Devi Vigraham as well he was in the temple. in 1953. According to the orders of Lord Narasimha Swamy, Lord Idol was housed and mandapams equal to the Ammavari temple were built in excellent curves on stones towards the south side of the ammavari temple built by the rulers of Vijaya Nagara.