|
Simhachalam
The hill of the lion (Simhachalam) combines the Orissan and
Chalukyan features of temple construction, and it attracts scores of pilgrims
from both Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.
Legend
 Maha Vishnu took the incarnation of Narasimha Avatara to protect his disciple
Prahalada from Samudram (Sea). Prahlada performed the first Kalyanam to Lord
Narasimha on Chaitra Suddha Ekadasi. All Devatas (gods) including Lord Shiva
attended this Kalyanam. Lord Shiva liked Simhagiri and settled on hill as
Tripurantakeshwara.Long after that in the Kaliyugam, an anthill covered the
temple. In Trethayugam,a king named Pururavudu while traveling across Simhagiri
on his Divyavimana, was told by Urvasi, who was accompanying him, of the
Narasimha temple hidden under the anthill. Pururava searched the temple for
three days, finally he got the darshanam of the deity on an auspicious day known
as Akshaya Trithiya.
The Panel that depicts the legend can be seen in one of the mandapams in temple
complex Beautifully carved we can see Lord Narasimha in a standing posture
tearing open the entrails of Hiranyakasipu with ferocity by placing him on his
left thigh is well delineated in a sculpture on the southern wall of the
garbagraha. While His fore arms are laid on Hiranyakasipu, the rear right and
left arms hold the ghatyam and conch respectively. Prahalada is found beneath
the panel supplicating to the Lord. Just above this is a beautiful panel of
Kalinganardhanam of Lord Krishna. The delineation of Narasimha is rather unique
in this temple. Another piece of sculpture, on the northern wall, is that of
Varahamurthy, which attracts attention with its sculptural delineation, similar
to that of Belur and Halebedu. Just above this panel is that of Lord Krishna
holding aloft the Govardhanagiri over the herd of cows which seek protection
from the torrential rain caused by Indra.
Temple History:
Kulottunga Chola I of Tamilnadu, made endowments to this temple, as evidenced
from inscriptions dating back to the year 1087. The Vengi Chalukyas of Andhra
Pradesh renovated the original shrine in the 11th century. Much of the structure
as it stands to day is the result of renovation by Narasimha I, of the Eastern
Ganga dynasty, in the second quarter of the 13th century CE. Krishna Deva Raya,
the Vijayanagar monarch visited this temple in the year 1516, as seen from
inscriptions here. There are as many as 525 inscriptions in this temple.
Architecture
The architecture of the temple is a combination of that of Konarak's Sun Temple,
those of Chalukyas and the Cholas. In fact coastal Andhra — from Visakhapatnam
to Srikakulam — was under the Gajapathis of Orissa (1470-1541 A.D.) As in
Konarak, the three-tier sikara rising over the sanctum sanctorum is shaped like
a stepped pyramid, and is profuse with ornamentation. The temple was built in
the 9th or the 10th century, and was extensively rebuilt in the 13th century.
There are 525 inscriptions in this temple, and the earlier one dates back to
1087 A.D.
This temple boasts of a beautiful stone chariot drawn by horses. The Kalyana
Mandapa within the temple has 16 pillars with bas reliefs depicting the
incarnations of Vishnu. Narasimha, the man lion incarnation of Vishnu is seen in
several depictions throughout the temple.
The temple faces west. With its hilly backdrop covered with verdant vegetation,
it looks resplendently beautiful, with a five-tier Rajagopuram and a white
coloured sikara rising over the sanctum sanctorum. A flight of steps leads to
the northern gateway, an elaborately decorated three-tier gopura, which gives
access to the visitors to the side entrance of the ardha mantapa.
The cubical shaped sannidhi is centrally located in the quadrangle. The
dwajasthamba, a metallic piece with an artistic design, is in front of the maha
mantapa. The walls of the garbagraha carry fine sculptures in the niches, which
have been sculpted in Hoysala style.
The artwork here has elements of similarity with that of Konark. Elephants,
flowers and plants are portrayed in plenty. The outer walls of the sanctum
depict images of a royal personality (said to be King Narasimha) in various
postures.
The corners of the base of the sikara bear lion statuettes symbolising Lord
Narasimha. On the eastern face of the sikara are found the sculptures of Indra
on his mount, Iravatha, and lower down Gajalakshmi. Capping the sikara is the
gold plated dome with the Vaishnavite symbol held aloft.
Around the inner prakara is found the 96-pillared Kalyana mantapa. The shape of
the pillars, the ornamentation on them, and the cornices stand on a unique
pedestal. To the right of the northern entrance is the 16-pillared natya mantapa.
These pillars carry simhalalathas or lion's head at the base. While the `jagatti'
or the railed parapet around the ardha mantapa carries a row of well-sculpted
elephants, which denotes strength, the inner `jagatti' around the garbagraha
carries a row of swans. Just above this is the scrollwork with sculpted figures
at intervals. Then above this is a row of smaller simhalalathas interspersed
with other figures. By the side of niches are the simhalalathas riding over
elephant on the supporting pillars. The capital, architrave, frieze and cornice
of the column are beautifully shaped. In between the pillars is the convolution
carrying figures. The eaves of the sidewalls carry excellent filigree work in
stone. A study of the pillars in the Kalyana mantapa and the sculptures in the
niches reveals that basalt and schist appear to have been the media with which
the artisans worked.
Temples in the complex
Simhavalli Tayaru sannidhi 6 am to 8 pm
Goddess Lakshmi Narayana Sannidhi 6 am to 8 pm
Godadevi temple 6 am to 8 pm
Tripuranta keshwara temple 6 am to 8 pm
Pooja :
Special Prayer/Pooja Day Timings Charges
Simhagiri Yatra Daily Visiting Hours 50
Nitya Kalyanam Daily 10.00 AM 50
Sannidhi Ashtottarawarna Daily Visiting Hours 25
Sannidhi Sahashranama Archana Daily Visiting Hours 50
Kappa Sthambam Alingana (single) / 15.00 (couple) Daily Visiting Hours 10
|
