Sri Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple, Mangalagiri, Guntur, AP

1. Mangalagiri:
   
   This place is one of Pancha Narashima Kshetram.
   
   
   
   Mangalagiri is in existence from the beginning of all Four Yuga. It was known as Anjanadri in Krutha Yugam, Totadri in Tretha Yugam, Mukthadri in Dwapara Yugam and Mangalagiri in Kali Yugam.
   
   
   
   
   Sri Narashima Swamy destroyed the demon known as Namuchi in Kritha Yugam. He stayed back as Swayambu Moorthy in this place. Devas were unable to with stand Lord’s Ugra Swaroopam, and they tried to cool him by offering Amrutham in Krutha yugam, in Tretha yugam he was offered Cow’s Ghee, in Dwapara yugam he was offered Cow’s Milk and in Kaliyugam he is offered Panakam.
   
   
   
   Anjaneyar is Kshetra palakar in this place.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see an arch near the entrance of road leading to Panakala Narashima Swamy temple on hill top.
   
   
   
   
   The hill looks like an elephant. Prince Harsva srungi visited all holy places and came to Mangalagiri and stayed back doing penance in praise of Lord Vishnu. One day when his father visited this holy place, to take his son back to kingdom Harsva srungi took the shape of an Elephant to become the abode of Lord Vishnu, who is known as Panakala Narashima Swamy. This is the legend about the hill of this place.
   
   
   
   To reach the top of hill we have steps as well as road. We reach the Panakala Narashima swamy temple, mid way to the hill top. There are many shops selling pooja items.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see Dwajasthambam.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We enter into a sanctum where to the left we have darshan of Sri Hanuman and we proceed further in a line to have darshan of Sri Panakala Narashima swamy.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see a cut in the rock to which the face of Narashima Swamy kavacham with wide opened mouth is kept. This is the place where Panakam (Panakam is made of Water and Jaggery) is offered to God.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We climb few steps to see Hanuman sculpture to the wall.
   
   
   
   Further few steps lead us to Thayar Sannidhi, which is behind Sri Narashimar sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   There is a small cave outside next to Sri Lakshmi temple,which is believed to lead to Vundavalli caves on the bank of River Krishna. The Sages used to use that way to have their bath in River Krishna.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Sri Lakshmi Narashima swamy temple view from top of the hill
   
   
   
   
2. Lakshmi Narashima Swamy temple:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The main Raja Gopuram of nine tiers facing east. .
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we enter in we see Dwajasthambam in front of the main mandapam of Lakshmi Narashimar temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   When we go around the temple we see Sanctum for Sri Rama to the left. West gopuram is un finished. We see Rajalakshmi Thayar Sannidhi to right side of main Sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We climb few steps to enter inside the main mandapam where we see Garudazhwar sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This is the main sanctum door of Sri Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Tanjavoore painting of Sri Lakshmi Narashimar and Sri Rajayalakshmi Thayar is seen on mandapam wall inside.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Charriot of Sri Lakshmi Narashimar Swamy Temple.