PANAKAL NARASHIMA SWAMY TEMPLE - MANGALAGIRI

On the top of the Mangalagiri hill there is a famous temple called the Panakala Nrusimhaswamy temple, which has been attracting pilgrims from a very long time, and from all parts of the country. Mangalagiri hill means an auspicious hill, and it is a part of the Eastern Ghats. This place is one of the eight important Mahakshetras of India, which was meant by the Lord to be taken as His own abode, for the redemption of humanity from sin. The origin of this temple with its presiding deity known as Panakala Nrusimhaswamy is traced to the Krithayuga. The temple is situated midway on the side of a hill.

Mangalagiri - The Auspicious Hill

Mangalagiri means The Auspicious Hill. This place is one of the 8 important Mahakshetrams (sacred places) in India. The eight places where Lord Vishnu manifested himself are (1) Sri Rangam (2) Srimushnam (3) Naimisam (4) Pushkaram (5) Salagamadri (6) Thothadri (7) Narayanasramam (8) Venkatadri. Thotadri is the present Mangalagiri. Lakshmi Devi has done tapas on this hill. That's why it got this name (The auspicious hill). There are three Narasimha Swamy temples in Mangalagiri. One is Panakala Narasimha Swamy on the hill. Another one is Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at the foot of the temple. Third one is Gandala Narasimha Swamy at the top of the hill.

Legend :

The popular legend is that the offerings to this Lord were, honey in Kitayuga, ghee in Dwaparayuga, milk in Tretayuga, and Panaka or jaggery water in this Kaliyuga. This offering of Panaka is made even now.This temple has been visited by religious leaders such as Sankara and Ramanuja.The Kshetrapalaka of this place is Sri Anjaneya.

History :

The history of this famous shrine is recorded in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, which is one of our ancient Puranas. The mountain itself is in the shape of an elephant as seen from a distance. Even to day the hill presents the appearance of a reclining elephant.

There is also an ancient ratha or car belonging to the temple, with ornamental woodcarvings depicting the scenes from the great national epics of Bharata, Bhagavata and Ramayana.

God Who Drinks Panakam

The Lord who is worshipped here is Lord Narayana in Narasimha Swamy incarnation. The peculiarity in this temple is that jaggery water, or what is locally known as Panaka, is given as an offering to the Lord. The jaggery water is actually poured into the mouth of the Lord, and Lord Narayana shows that he has fully satisfied himself, when half of water is thrown back as a prasada to the devotees.

While the jaggery water is being poured into the mouth of the Lord a gurgling sound is clearly audible as if the Lord is actually drinking it, and the sound becomes shriller and shriller, as and when the Lord is drinking, till at last the sound stops, and the balance of the jaggery water is thrown out. It is on account of this special characteristic that the temple has acquired the name of Panakala Nrusimhaswamy temple. It is said that the entire shrine is free of ants & flies although mounds of jaggery and sweets are stored within.

Festivals

Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Brahmothsavam is very important annual festival. It is believed that the celebration was inaugurated by Dharmaraja at the behest of Lord Krishna. Pradyumna, the son of Lord Krishna, reqested his father to celebrate his birthday annualy for a sapthaham (seven days) from Phalguna Suddha Sapthami. Lord Krishna entrusted this work to Dharmaraja, the eldest of the pandavas who has the successor to the throne at Hasthinapura.

At present the festival is celebrated for 11 days commencing from phalguna sudda shasti (february - march). One day before Phalguna Suddha Purnima i.e. on Chaturdasi, here the marriage of Santha Narasimha Swamy, and Sridevi and Bhoodevi will be celebrated. They follow Agama sastra in this celebrations. Before the marriage, Chenchus celebrate on the occassion of Narasimha swamy marrying their daughter Chenchu Lakshmi. On that day night, Swamy comes by Sesha Vahanam and participate in Eduru Kola. The next day after the marriage is Purnima, on which the Holi festival is celebrated by indians. The same day, here, people celebrate Tirunalla, and about 1,00,000 people, local and from distant places congregate. On a big chariat, the Lord will go on procession and hundreds of devotees will pull this cart with fervour and enthusiasm.

Srirama Navami, Hanumajayanthi, Narasimhajayanthi, Vaikunta Ekadasi, and Mahasivarathri are other festivals which are celebrated here on a large scale. On Mahasivarathri, Lord will go on procession on a small chariot.

Temple Timings

Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Timings

Morning	07-00	Opening the doors
	07-00 to 07-30	Morning Archana
	07-30 to 01-00	Special Archana for the devotees and offering Panakam
	01-00	Maharnivedana
	03-00	Closing the doors

It is said that, in the evenings, Gods, and Sages worship the Lord. So, there is no Archana in the evenings.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Timings

Morning	05-00	Opening the doors
	05-30	Offering the Theertham
	06-00	Morning Archana
	07-30	Ghoshti (Using the theertham offering)
	07-30 to 11-00	Special Archana for the devotees
	11-30	Maharnivedana
	12-30	Closing the doors
Evening	04-00	Opening the doors
	04-00 to 07-00	Special Archana for the devotees
	07-30	Evening Archana, Harathi, Theertha Ghoshti
	08-30	Closing the doors

How to get Here :

The nearest railway station is Mangalagiri on the Guntur Vijayawada line but to visit the temple, the better course would be to get down either at Vijayawada or at Guntur and take bus connections.