Nava Nrusimha Shrines

Nrusimha is the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There are nine Swayambhuh Nrusimha Shrines in Andhra Pradesh Ahobilam, Mangalagiri, Simhachalam, Antarvedi, Malakonda or Malyadri, Kadiri, Vedadri and Dharmapuri Yadagirigutta in Telangana. Though the story of Nrusimhu incarnation is the same, the local story of Nrusimha establishment is unique.
Ahobilam is a collection of Swayambhuh temples in the Nallamala forest where Nrusimha appeared in the nine forms of Jwala, Ahobila, Malola, Varaha or Krodha, Karanja, Bhargav, Yogananda, Kshatravata and Pranava or Holi Nrusimha. Each temple has a local legend.
Simhachalam is an unique temple in which the Deity covered with sandalwood (Gandham). Sri Ramanuja converted the temple which was following the Shaiva tradition earlier into a Vaishnava temple. The idol of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha covered with sandalwood throughout the year except on Akshaya Tritiya.
Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha in the form of Narahari, with Parvati as Aswarudambhika, to slay Rakta Vilochana established in Antarvedi known as Dakshana Kashi at the confluence of the Vashist River with the Bay of Bengal . Brahma performed Rudrayaga to Neelakanteswar to atone for the wrong done to Lord Shiva. Neelakanteswar Temple, Vashist Ashram, Temple, Confluence, Light House are the temples and places to visit in Antarvedi along with Nrusimha Temple,
Sri Yogananda Lakshmi Nrisimha Swamy Temple is famous in Krishna district at Vedadri village on the bank of river Krishna. It is said that Srihari killed Somakasur who was hiding in the sea in the incarnation of Matya during the Krit Yuga and brought the Vedas. Vedadri is the place where the four Veda stood as Salagrama mountain. Brahma enshrined Jwala Nrusimha on the mountain as Saligrama Murthy. Lakshmi Nrusimha spread all over the mountain on the desire of sages, Garuda and Maa Lakshmi. The temple is popularly known as Vedadri with five different forms of Nrisimha namely Jwala, Saligrama, Veera, Yogananda and Lakshmi Nrusimha.
Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha Temple is a Vaishnava temple located at the foot hill in Mangalagiri of Guntur district. Lord Vishnu is said to be Vanamamalai Sritothadrinathan is Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha in Mangalagiri and one of the eight Swayambhu shrines There are Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha, Panakala Nrusimha and Gandala Nrusimha temples in Mangalagiri. Nrusimha is known as Panakala Swamy in the temple on the hill and only the mouth of Nrusimha can be seen in the idol of Nrusimha here. The temple is kept open till noon. The sound of drinking jaggery water in Nrisimhu's mouth is clearly heard.
After killing Hiranyakaship, Nrusimha rested on Stotadri Hill near Kadiri. The calm down Swami is called Prahladavarada Nrusimha and there are Nrusimha foot prints on Sthotadri hill. The idol of Nrusimha is believed to be made of wood like the idol of Puri Jagannath in anthropomorphic form with lion head. The eight-armed statue of Nrisimhu depicts in a belly-splitting posture of Hiranyakaship.
Lord Vishnu sent Garudha to search for a suitable place for his vacation. Garudha found this place suitable place for vacation and placed a garland (Vanamala) on the Hill. It is said that at the desire of Maa Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Nrusimha on the Malyadri hill. On the request of the gods and sages, Lord Vishnu agreed to accept their worship for six days a week and of humans one day on Saturday. He took the form of Shri Lakshmi Nrusimha. Gods worship the lord for six days in the temple and humans on Saturday.
Godavari flows as the southern channel from this temple where the three idols of Brahma, Yoga Nrusimha and Sri Rama Pratishta Ramalingeshwar are worshipped at Dharmapuri.In Dharmapuri, Lord Nrusimha appears as Yoga Nrusimha and Ugra Nrusimha. Sri Lakshmi Yoga Nrusimha Swamy saligram idol appears in Padmasan posture in the form of yoga posture with mustaches gives darshan. Local legend says that when Lord Rama came to Ayodhya from Lanka after killing Ravana, he worshiped Lord Shiva as Ramalingeswar in the form of Saikata Ling. Brahma dug the pond with his kamandal, take bath in the water and performed penance. He got room in the temple with the grace of the lord. Dharmapuri is famous for having Yama Temple.
When Yadarshi was doing penance for Srihari, a demon was about to eat Yadarshi and Srihari killed the demon with Sudarshana Chakra. Sage asked Sudarshana Chakra to stay there and protect from evils. The Sudarshan Chakra disappeared saying that Srihari lives there in the form of Lakshmi Nrusimha. At the request of Yadarshi, Lord Vishnu appeared and permanently on the hill in the form of Lakshmi Nrusimha . According to Yadarshi desire to see Swami in different forms, Nrusimha appeared in five forms namely Jwala, Yoga, Nanda, Ganda Berunda and Lakshmi Nrisimha. Hence this temple is called Pancha Nrusimha Shrine.
Nrusimha Darshan Auspicious