Beautiful History of Mangalagiri Temple

Mangalagiri Temple is also well-known as one of the eight mahakshetras in India. It is in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, India, specifically in the Mangalagiri Tadepalle Municipal Corporation, at the base of the auspicious hill in Mangalagiri.  

The mangalagiri temple also known as Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in India is one of the eight holy shrines dedicated to Vishnu.  

It is one of three temples that can be found on and around the hill; the other two are the Panakala Narasimha Temple, which can be found atop the hill, and the Gandala Narasimha Temple, which can be found near the base of the hill.  

One of the tallest gopurams in all of South India, it is also the sole example of its kind in this region of the country. It has eleven stories and is 153 feet (47 m) in height and 49 feet (15 m) on its width. 

History OF Mangalagiri Temple 

Like the other temples of the Pancha Narasimha kshetras, Mangalagiri has a fascinating past all its own. What is known about Mangalagiri hill’s look is as follows: 

The son of King Pariyatra, Hrasva Srungi visited numerous temples and shrines. Hrasva Srungi arrived at Mangalagiri, and he stayed there to do penances in order to appease Lord Vishnu.  

Hrasva Srungi was returned to the kingdom with the King. Hrasva Srungi, however, choose to serve Lord Narasimha by transforming into a hill in the shape of an elephant. 

The Deity Of The Mangalagiri Temple  

Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy and Sri Lakshmi Devi are the two primary Deities worshipped there. Sri Panakala Narasimha is symbolised by a large golden mukuta covering his mouth. 

The panakam liquid is presented to the Lord through His lotus mouth. Prasadam equals half of the offered panakam. This prasadam is given to the worshippers. 

The devotees present near the Deity can hear a gurgling sound as the panakam travels down Lord Narasimha’s lotus mouth.  

Those fortunate enough to get the panakam prasadam might count themselves among the most blessed of devotees. 

The little Deity of Rajyalakshmi Devi can be discovered in a cave shrine located below the temple devoted to Lord Panakala Narasimha.  

In another subterranean shrine, a little Deity of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy was sculpted out of rock. A small temple is home to Sheshashayi Vishnu, the religion’s Deity. 

On the wall next to the stairwell is another Deity of Lord Hanuman, this one carved from orange granite. 

Architecture of the Panakala  Mangalagiri Temple 

The Dravidian architectural style was used to construct the temple. The mukhamantapa is where visitors enter the temple, and it features many carved pillars despite the building’s modest appearance. 

At the temple’s main entrance stands the dwajastambha, or flagpole. In 1955, it was built here. Sri Channapragada Balaramadasu constructed the temple’s stone steps in 1890. 

A tunnel leading west from the Lakshmi Devi shrine has been sealed off.  

It is thought that the Undavalli caverns, located near the holy Krishna River, can be reached by this passageway.  

It is reported that the sages took this path to bathe in the Krishna River. 

Mangalagiri Panakala Narasimha Temple Festivals 

The Brahmotsavam is the most important event held at the temple every year. It begins on Phalguna Suddha Shashti (February or March) and lasts for 11 days.  

Lord Narasimha’s heavenly marriage to Sridevi and Bhudevi is celebrated here in accordance with the Agama shastras on the Chaturdashi that occurs one day before to the Phalguna Suddha Purnima. 

The Chenchu people traditionally celebrate the holy marriage of their daughter Chenchu Lakshmi to Lord Narasimha in the days leading up to their actual wedding. During Eduru Kola, the Lord rides in on His Shesha vahana. 

The following day, on Pournami, devotees observe Thirunalla, the Lord Narasimha chariot feast. Nearly a hundred thousand local and faraway worshippers accompany the Lord in his chariot parade. 

Other notable celebrations are Narasimha Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, Rama Navami, and Vaikuntha Ekadashi. 

Mangalagiri Temple Timings 

Darshan and panakam offerings can be made at the temple beginning at 7 a.m. daily. By 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the darshan will have ended. 

It is said that demigods and sages worship Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy in the evening, hence the temple stops accepting offerings and visitors at 3 p.m. 

The Panakala Narasimha nija-rupa (without the mukuta) is only seen to those who attend the 5 AM mangala arati on every Ekadashi.

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