Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple in Yadagirigutta is a popular Hindu Temple of Narasimha Swamy. It is situated on a hillock in the Nalgonda district, Telangana state. 60 kilometers from the city of Hyderabad. Huge number of devotees visit the temple on Sundays and public holidays.

The temple is popular and busy throughout the year with various religious events. The annual brahmotsavam is held in the month of March, which includes Yedurkolu, The Celestial Wedding and Divya Vimana Rathotsavam.

The birthday of Lord Narasimha is celebrated on 28 April every year.

Lord Narasimha is also known as Yadagiri, hence the name Yadagirigutta.

History

In Tretayugam, there lived a sage by the name of Yadarishi, son of the great sage Rishyasrunga and Santa Devi who did penance inside a cave with the blessings of Anjaneya (Hanuman) on this hill between Bhongir (Bhuvanagiri) and Raigiri (in Nalgonda district of Telangana,India). Pleased with his deep devotion, Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu appeared before him in five different forms as Jwala, Yogananda, Gandabherunda, Ugra and Lakshminarasimha. They later manifested themselves into finely sculpted forms that later came to be worshiped as Pancha Narasimha Kshetram.

There are Purana and traditional accounts of this Shrine which are widely popular among the devotees. There is mention about the origin of this temple in the Skanda Purana, one of the famous 18 puranas.

Glowing bright atop the sikharam of garbha griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) of this cave temple is the golden Sudarshana Chakra (about 3 ft x 3 ft) of Lord Vishnu (whose reincarnation is Lord Narasimha). The adornment as well as the weapon is a symbol by which this temple is identified from as far as 6 km. It is said that many years ago the chakra moved in the direction from which the devotees came as if like a compass guiding them towards the temple.

Lord Narasimha is believed to have been worshiped by sages (rishis). The region of Yadagirigutta is reputed to be a “Rishi Aradhana Kshetram” or the place of worship for sages.

As the belief goes, Lord Narasimha has taken on the role of a “doctor” and is known as “Vaidya Narasimha” by his devotees at this shrine to cure many chronic diseases and the role of a ‘do gooder’ to those who are under the influence of bad planets, witchcraft and black magic. Numerous instances are cited of the Lord appearing in the dreams of the devotees, and administering medicines and operating on the patients and blessing them with good health. Many devotees recount vivid dreams in which the Lord came to heal them from chronic or terminal illnesses, as well as mental and emotional problems. A mandala (40 day) pradakshina is very popular, performed by many devotees to get cured of a chronic ailments or diseases. Often, the legend goes, that the Lord Himself imparts mantrOpadEsham to selected few devotees in their dreams.

How to Reach Yadagirigutta

Yadagirigutta is about 60 km from Hyderabad and is well connected by both Rail and Road.

There are number of buses from Hyderabad, Secunderabad and other parts of the state to Yadagirigutta.

The nearest Railway station is Raigiri (about 3 km) for passenger trains. After alighting at Raigiri, one can take an auto rickshaw or Auto. The nearest railway stations for Express trains towards Vijayawada, Nagpur & Hyderabad are Bhongir (14 KM) & Aler (14 KM).

Hyderabad is the nearest airport.