Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha

Nrusimha is the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It was intended to kill the demon king Hiranyakasipu and save the devotee Prahlad. Swayambhuh Sri Varaha Lakshminrusimha Temple at Simhachalam in the Eastern Ghats, 11 miles from Visakhapatnam in the Andhra Pradesh state, is a unique temple where Nrusimha appears in the form of Ling instead of lion's head with a human body like in other temples. Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Temple, known as Simhadri Appanna Temple by the local people, .The Simhachala Shrine story tells about the life of Prahlad. Sumukh was born as Prahlad to Lilavati and as the son of Hiranyakaship. He showed devotion to Lord Vishnu from child hood. Prahlad faced many sufferings from his father. Lord Vishnu emerged from the pillar to kill Hiranyakaship and save Prahlad in the form of Nrusimha at dusk, brought Hiranyakashipu from the building, sat on the porch of the main gate, put him on his lap, cut his belly with his fingernails (nails) and killed him without giving room to the boon given by Brahma. Prahlad built a temple at the place where Nrusimha killed Hiranyakasip. The temple built by Prahlad fell into disrepair and Nrusimha's Mulaviratt or main deity idol was covered with mud. The way of temple reconstruction over time described in Simhachala Temple story. Pururava, the king of Chandravamsa received Puspak Viman as boon from Brahma.Pururava saw Urvashi at Mount Kailash and both fell in love. They visited Simhachalam while wandering around the world and lived here for some time. Pururava did penance at Gangadhara Lake. Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha appeared to Urvashi in a dream and ordered her to lift his idol out of the earth, enshrine and to cover the idol with sandalwood on all days except the Vaisak Shuddha Tadia (Akshaya Truteeya). They both lifted the idol from the ground and installed. Pururava tried to find the feet of the idol. Asariravani says that he need not worry about feet and they can attain salvation in that form. They worshiped the Lord and got salvation. The temple and the temple premises were modified and the present temple was renovated and converted into a Vaishnava religious center during the rule of the Ganga rulers. The temple has three courtyards and five entrances. The temple is facing west instead of east. There are two lakes Swami Pushkarini on top of the hill and Gangadhara bottom of the hill. The Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha idol will be covered with sandalwood and appears in the form of a ling. Therefore it is believed that the idol is Shiva. The temple has the same tradition as practiced in Shiva temples earlier. Sri Ramanuja won the debate at the Puri Jagannatha Temple and visited Srikurman and Simhachalam temples. Sri Ramanuja argued that the statue of Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha is in Agama Niyama posture. Ramanuja defeated the Pandits in Simhachalam and converted it into a Vaishnava temple. Ramanuja took possession of the temple himself.The priests were asked to remove sandal paste from the idol. The idol bled when sandal wood was removed. Realizing that the god was angry since the rule broke that the sandalwood on the idol should be removed except once a year on Vaisakh Shuddha Tritiya day only, sandal paste applied again and the bleeding stopped. This custom started by Pururava is still followed today. Srivaraha LakshmiNrusimha idol is covered with sandalwood throughout the year except on Akshaya Tritiya. Like other temples in the country, Sri Varaha LakshiNrusimha temple at Simhachalam was attacked by the Mohammedans. The temple has around 500 inscriptions in Sanskrit and Telugu languages regarding donations made for the development of the temple. Some of these inscriptions are in Odia and Tamil languages. Sri Krishna Devaraya erected a victory pillar at Simhachalam as a sign of victory in the struggle over the Kalinga region. Vishnu appears in the form of Nrusimha in all the Nrusimha Kshetras of the state, but it is special that he appears in the form of Ling covered with sandal paste at Simhachalam. Adoration and rituals formulated by Ramanuja. Devotees believe that Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha grants children to the childless and fulfills their wishes. The n atural water flow from Gangadhara, Nagadhara, Sagidhara, Madhavadhara, Akasadhara, Seikudhara, Pulletidhara, Picchukadhara in the temple, flows into the Gangadhara tank at the foot hill throughout the year. Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Temple is the only temple with such special features. Circumambulation of the hill is an important service performed by devotees in Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Temple. Thousands of healthy devotees break their fast by circumbulation of 34 kilo meters around the hill on the full moon day of Telugu Ashada month. Those who cannot walk around the hill may circumbulate the temple 108 times. The temple is open from 6 AM to 9 PM.
Nrusimha Darshan Auspicious.