Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Yadadri

Yadadrigutta Temple
Bhongir town
Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple Gopuram
Location in Telangana
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Yadadri (India)
Geography
Coordinates 17°35′21″N 78°56′41″E / 17.5892°N 78.9446°E / 17.5892; 78.9446Coordinates: 17°35′21″N 78°56′41″E / 17.5892°N 78.9446°E / 17.5892; 78.9446
Country India
State Telangana
District Yadadri Bhuvanagiri
Location Bhongir
Culture
Sanctum Lord Narasimha
Architecture
Architecture Agama Shashtra
Hillock of Yadadri

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple also known as Yadadri and Yadagirigutta temple,[1] is a popular hindu temple situated on a hillock in Yadagirigutta of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of the Indian state of Telangana. The temple is an abode of Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is located about 120 kilometres (75 mi) from Suryapet and 88 kilometres (55 mi) from Nalgonda and 62 km from Hyderabad.

History

Yadagiri is named after a sage named Yadava who performed heavy austerities to Lord Vishnu as Narasimha. Being please with him the lord gave him darshan in three forms: jwaalaa ngarasimha, ganDabhErunDa naarasimha and yOgaananda naarasimha. Sage yaadava begged naarasimha to remain on the hill in these forms. Thus, you have the lakshmee-naarasimhadeva temple on the hilltop with deities of naarasimha in all three forms embedded in stone in the main cave.

Deity

The temple is in a cave about 12 feet high by 30 feet long, located in back of the temple hall, by the rear pillar. You take a stairway down into the chamber and then toward the back. Jwala Narasimha is in the shape of serpent, while Yogananda Narasimha appears sitting in meditation in yoga pose. You will also see silver deities of Lakshmi-Narasimha, which are quite striking in appearance and lends presence of seeing them. To the right of the temple main door is a Hanuman temple. You'll see a long horizontal gap in the rock just below Hanuman. This is said to be where Gandabheranda Narasimha manifested. This is a very popular temple. It is said that any wish of sincere devotee visiting this temple will be fulfilled.[2][3] The sanctum sanctorum or Garbhagriha is located in a cave, under a huge slating rock, which covers half the abode.

New Yadadri Temple

A new temple is being built at the old temple site. The temple was renamed as Yadadri by Vaishnavaite ascetic Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, who is overseeing and guiding every aspect of the new temple. Until the new temple is completed, a temporary temple, Balalayam, was built. The main temple will open in August 2018 and the entire temple project will be completed by end of 2019.

Renovations

The Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrashekhar Rao initiated the renovation of the temple, and approved a final layout.[4] Major renovation of the temple is being taken up with a budget of ₹1800 crores.[5] The work started in 2016 and is being executed by Yadadri Temple Development Authority (YTDA). The temple owned 39 kilos of gold and 1,753 tonnes of silver for lining the gopurams and walls in the temple. The centuries-old practice of using lime mortar to join different stone parts is being used.[6] The YTDA acquired around 1900 acres by spending ₹300 crores.

Sections

The sections on the temple include main temple, Mukha Mandapam, seven gopurams (domes) with wooden roof, vratha peetham, Swamy Vari Udyana Vanam, kalyana mandapam, satram etc. The pillars of 12 Alvars (those immersed in God) in the main temple is a significant feature.[7]

The temple entrance arch will depict Mahābhūta (the five elements).

Temple architecture

The architecture of the temple is based on Agama Shashtra. The temple is built entirely in stone, no temple was build in stone in last 2000 years. The temple was earlier built on 2 acres. After demolishing all structures on the temple hillock, the base for the temple is now 14 acres.

Design

The project architect is Anand Sai, who was carefully chosen for his understanding of the ancient designs based on silpa and Agama principles. The entire temple is built in stone. The stone designs in Yadadri are provided by the chief sthapathi of the temple, Soundara Rajan of Srirangam, Tamil Nadu.

Sculptures

Three types are stones are being used for the temple like Krishna Sila (Purusha Sila) for presiding deities in the sanctum sanctorum; Sthri Sila for deities of Goddesses; and Napusaka Sila for flooring and walls etc. Black granite stone, based on the temple architecture of the Kakatiya Dynasty in Telangana. The black granite stone has tiny pores, that becomes strong and hard when milk, curd, oil and other liquids get into pores, according to shilipis (sculpture experts).

There are around 500 sculptors belonging to different groups like D. Hari Prasad, D Ravinder, Balasubrahmanyam, Venkatareddy, Potuluraiah and Shaikh Rabbani hailing from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other regions are working on the project.

Transport

Yadagirigutta is about 60 km (approx. 38 miles) from Hyderabad and is well connected by both Rail and Road. The nearest Railway station is Raigiri (about 3 km) for passenger trains. After alighting at Raigiri, one can take an auto rickshaw or Tanga.

The Hyderabad, MMTS - Phase II is planned, to be extended from Ghatkesar to Raigir station, which is 5 km from Yadagirigutta.[8]

A new bus stand is built on a 15 acres, as a part of new temple development.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Yadagirigutta is now renamed as Yadadri". 6 March 2015.
  2. ↑ Knapp, Stephen (1 January 2009). "Spiritual India Handbook". Jaico Publishing House – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ "History of the Cult of Narasimha in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh: From Ancient to the Modern Period". Radha & Sons. 21 June 1989 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ "Yadadri temple layout finalised". 1 September 2015.
  5. ↑ https://www.hindustantimes.com/telangana/telangana-s-yadadri-temple-artisans-hammer-away-at-religious-divides/story-DGTzLdqaLKc73Y2TvMde5K.html
  6. ↑ https://telanganatoday.com/yadadri-temple-works-telangana-brisk-pace
  7. ↑ https://telanganatoday.com/yadadri-temple-works-telangana-brisk-pace
  8. ↑ "Prabhu's boost to KCR'S temple tourism dream - Times of India".
  9. ↑ https://telanganatoday.com/bus-stand-to-be-developed-in-15-acres-at-yadagirigutta
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