Sri Malyadri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple - Malakonda

To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.

– Freya Stark

Sri Malyadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu manifested on the hill of Malakonda, Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is one of the most prestigious and famous temples of Lord Narasimha in the state. This temple was surrounded by high hills, green plants and wonderful climate. The specialty of this temple is open only on saturdays.

The temple comes under the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, administering the Nava Narasimha Keshtrams in South India and part of the 108 “Divya Desams'', venerated Vaishnavite shrines across the country.

Here the goddess is Sri Malalakshmi Devi is Goddess located on the top of the Malyadri hill.

STORY BEHIND THE NAME OF MALAKONDA:

The God Sri Narasimha swamy is the Lord of Malakonda also known as Malyadri. Malyadri is derived from the Telugu language, 'mala' means 'garland of' and 'adri' or 'konda' means 'hills'. That is the hills are arranged as flower garland.

ETYMOLOGY:

According to this sthalapurana, it is said that once Lord Vishnu came to the earth for a trip. So to take rest he gave a mala (Garland made of flowers) to Garuthmantha and said him to search a place for him to take rest. Garukmantha searches some places on the earth then he find mala konda is correct place. Then he placed a mala on the mala konda (hill) which was given by Srimahavishnu. Then Srimahavishnu with goddess Lakshmi has taken rest on Malyadri. As the mala is placed on the hill. So it is given name as Malyadri.

In the next generation for the blessings of Srihari, the saint Agusthya has done deep meditation then the lord Srihari appeared in the form of jwala (lighting). Then Agusthya requested Lord Srihari to stay forever in Malakonda so the sins of the people on earth will go. Then the lord agreed for this and he changed to statue form.

Temple view

THE TEMPLE:

In 1657, the Mukhamandapam and Siva temple was built in this temple.

Sri Malyadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple opens only on Saturday. Devotees believe that in the remaining day’s gods and saints will visit and entertain Srihari.

View from the top of the hill

The priests and temple staff of those temples reach the temple by Friday night. They open the temple on Saturday morning and they perform poojas and abhishekas. When sun sets then they close the temple and go. By the Sunday morning there will be no one at that place. But on Saturday there will be thousands of devotees visiting the temple.

The devotees of the surrounding places of Malyadri name their male children as Malyadri, Malakondaiah, Narasimha, and Lakshmi Narasimha etc., and name their female children as Lakshmi, Sri Lakshmi and Mahalakshmi etc.,

DESCRIPTION OF LORD:

Steps to lead the temple

The shrine of Sri Malyadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is in a sitting posture with a Sudarshana Chakra in one hand and a Sanku on the other. While Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi is sitting on the left of his lap, Lord holds her with one hand and blesses the devotees with the other.

THEERTHA's

The theerthas present on the Malakonda hill are been believed as holiwater. These are also called "Sapta theertha's". People say that if you take bath with that holiwater then all your will sins will be removed from your fate. The threethas are

1. Narasimha theerdam
2. Varuna theerdam
3. Kapila theerdam
4. Agasthya theerdam
5. Sankara theerdam
6. Jothi theerdam
7. Indra theerdam

ACCOMMODATION:

Malakonda is a small village, so you can stay at Kavali or Ongole, where you can get luxury hotels, which are nearest places to Malakonda. However, you can also find hotels at Kandukur.

ADDRESS:

Way to the temple

Sri Malyadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devastanam,
Malakonda,
Valetivaripalem Mandal,
Prakasam District,
Andhra Pradesh, India.
Phone: +91 9491000732, +91 9908002222
Website: www.lakshminarasimha.org

HOW TO REACH?

• The nearest railway station is at Singarayakonda which is located on the Chennai - Howrah line and you can find several trains to all major cities.
• There are three ways to reach the Malakonda.
1. The east route is via Kandukur and Lingasamudram from Singarayakonda, Prakasham district.
2. The west route is from Pamuru, Prakasham district.
3. The south route is via Kaligiri and Kondapuram from Kavali.
• To reach uphill to the temple of Sri Malyadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Malakonda, there are three ways. A roadway for vehicles and two more ways for pedestrians.