INTRODUCTION
We can keep on telling about the significance of Lord Narasimha, day and night and for all the 365 days in a year. The Meaning for the word Narasimha is half lion with human body. Since Lord Narasimha had appeared in this form, even some Vishnu devotees are also getting afraid to worship him. But, the main purpose of the Narasimha avatar is to destroy the evil forces and to maintain proper law and order position in the earth. Actually though the form of Lord Narasimha appears in a fierce form, but for his staunch devotees, he used to appear only in a beautiful form. Still Narasimha punishes the evil minded people, protects the innocent from arrogant people, and promotes the bhakti on to the souls of the pious people. In the Narasimha Mahatma Purana, it was mentioned that the great Prahalada was kindly treated by Lord Narasimha among the other Bhagavathas.
Let us happily go through the nine popular temples of Lord Narasimha.
Lord Vishnu had incarnated in the form of Narasimha(Half man and Half lion form) only in this sacred place Ahobilam. This place is situated in Kurnool District. During ancient times, when there were no proper transportation facilities, pilgrims had suffered a lot in order to visit this sacred place Ahobilam. But at present, lot of bus facilities are available to reach this place from anywhere in India. The names of the nine forms of Narasimha temples present in Ahobilam are as follows:-
Satravada Narasimhar
Yoga Narasimhar
Parkava Narasimhar
Ahobila Narasimhar
Jwala Narasimhar
Malo Narasimhar
Bavana Narasimhar
Karanja Narasimhar
Krodakara Narasimhar
MANGALAGIRI NARASIMHAR TEMPLE
This is a famous temple which is located in Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh. Jaggery water Prasadam is very famous in this temple. Whenever devotees offer Jaggery water to the idol of Lord Narasimha, he would consume only half of the portion of the jaggery water, and balance portion of jaggery water would be spitted by the Narasimha idol in the vessel itself, and that sacred water would be offered as Holy Prasad to the devotees. This is an ancient temple, and a powerful temple. Dreaded diseases and our sins would be vanished once we saw the beautiful idol of Lord Mangalagiri Narasimha. This Narasimha is also called as Panaga Narasimha, since he wilfully drinks the jaggery water offered by the devotees.
VADAPALLI NARASIMHA TEMPLE
This wonderful temple is located on the banks of River Krishna. Though the size of the temple seems to be small, but the power present on the Narasimha Idol is big.
SIMHACHALAM NARASIMHA TEMPLE
Simhachalam is located nearby Vishakapatinam. In order to reach the top of the Narasimha Temple, we have to climb more than 350 steps. At the top of the mountain, a nice waterfall is also present, which welcomes us like our mother. This temple was built by the great Narasimha Devotee “PRAHALADA”! During the regime of the great King Sri Krishna Devaraya, his consort has presented nice pearl garlands and ornaments to the Narasimha Deity.
MELKOTE NARASIMHA TEMPLE
This temple is located in Karnataka, Mandya District. This is a 1000 years old temple. This temple was established by our great Ramanuja.
NARASIMHA TEMPLE, MYSORE
The idol of the Narasimha is made out of Salagrama stone. Here sacred ash is offered as Prasad to the devotees.
NARASIMHA TEMPLE, ANTHILI
This temple is located in Anthili which is situated near Thirukovilur. This temple was once visited by the first three Alwars, and this temple was glorified by them. Once, in this place, Lord Garuda had undergone rigorous meditation on Lord Vishnu, in order to witness his Narasimha Avatar. Pleased by the devotion of Garuda, Lord Vishnu had appeared in the form of Narasimha before Garuda and blessed him.
NARASIMHA TEMPLE, SHOLINGUR
In this temple, Lord Narasimha grants salvation to all the devotees. This is a mountain temple, and it is situated near Thirutani. In order to reach the top of the Narasimha Temple, we have to climb more than 1000 steps. Opposite to this temple, a Hanuman Temple is also situated in a Mountain, and for reaching the shrine of Lord Hanuman, we must have to climb few hundred steps.
NARASIMHA TEMPLE, POOVARASAN KUPPAM
This temple is situated in Tamil Nadu. Once, Lord Vishnu had appeared in the form of Narasimha at the present place of the temple, and shown his divine darshan to the SAPTARISHIS (Seven great Rishis). Hence this temple is also called as Booloka Vaikuntam, Earthly Vaikunta.
“OM SRI PRAHALADA VARADARE NAMAHA”
Sent By
R.HARISHANKAR
