Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located in Mallur, Warangal district of Telangana state in India. The temple is located 1500 feet above sea level on Puttakonda, a hillock. The Deity of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is said to have self-manifested from this hillock. Lord Hanuman resides as Shikanjaneya on the way to the temple as the kshetrapalaka of Mallur.

In this temple, the body of Lord Narasimha’s srivigraha is as soft as the skin of human being.

Dedicated to their Lordships Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, the temple predates to the 6^th century and before. It is also known as Malluru Narasimha Swamy Temple owing to its location. The sacred Godavari river flows nearby through the forest.

A stream of water flows near the temple originating at the Lord Narasimha’s lotus feet. The stream was named as Chintamani by Rani Rudrama Devi. Locally, it is called Chintamani Jalapatham. This water is said to be sacred and medicinal in nature. People either take a holy dip in the stream on the hillock or take the water with them in bottles.

The area around the temple is a protected bio-diversity zone as per the orders of the Telangana state government.

History of Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

The Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is said to be more than 4000 years old. Sage Agastya had named the hillock as Hemachala. Ravana had gifted this place to his sister Shurpanaka. Lord Rama had killed Khara and Dushana along with 14,000 demons near this place.

The temple once flourished during the reign of King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar and the Kakatiya dynasty. The records of lands given for the temple worship and the funds released for the temple maintenance point towards this. The Deities too were lavished with the best ornaments.

The temple is currently undergoing renovation on a large scale in order to facilitate more devotees. The last renovation was done in the year 2003 CE during the Godavari Pushkarulu (Godavari river festival).

Deity of Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

The Deity of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is swayambhu i.e. self-manifested. The Deity stands at a height of around 10 feet. The Chatur Bhuja Deity of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is unique in a few ways. The lotus body of the Deity is as soft as the human body. A slight touch with your finger will create a depression in the Deity which retains it’s original shape on removing your finger.

A liquid resembling blood keeps flowing from the navel of the Deity. Just like applying a first aid lotion, pujari applies sandalwood paste on the navel of the Deity of Narasimha. Moreover, sandal dissolved water flows from the lotus navel of the Deity. As the water flows, the sandal paste separates and sticks on the lotus body of the Deity. This water and sandal paste are given to devotees as prasadam to cure their problems such as negative planetary influences, childlessness, etc.

There is a belief that the presence of the Deity without Lakshmi Devi causes fire in the temple and surrounding areas due to the intense heat of Lord Narasimha’s anger. Hence, the presence of a golden Deity of Lakshmi Devi on Lord Narasimha’s lotus chest keeps Him calm.

Festivals of Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Three major festivals are celebrated at the temple. They are:

1. Sri Narasimha Jayanthi
2. Sri Vaikuntha Ekadashi
3. Sri Brahmotsavam

Narasimha Jayanthi and Vaikuntha Ekadashi festivals are celebrated at the same time as other temples across India. Whereas Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated in the month of Vaisakha (April/May) during the Shuddha Pournami tithi. It marks the anniversary of the appearance of Sri Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

Timings of Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

The Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is open for a good number of hours for devotees to have darshan and offer their respects. It is open at the following times:

Morning: 8.30 AM to 1.00 PM

After the temple closes for darshan at 1 PM, it reopens soon at 2.30 PM in the afternoon and closes at 5.30 PM. It is believed that Lord Narasimha wanders around the temple and in the forest area after 5.30 PM. Hence, darshan is open only till 5.30 PM.

How to reach Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple?

The best way to travel to this temple is to travel on Bhadrachalam Yatra with Tirtha Yatra. You need not worry about anything be it food, accommodation or the hopping travel to Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.

You can reach the temple through multiple modes of transportation depending on your convenience. Plan your trip well in advance so as to get the best experience possible. You can reach Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple through the following modes of transportation:

By Road: Buses are available from Warangal, Manuguru and Bhadrachalam-Edulapuram road generally to Malluru. You can also opt in for taxis/cabs or maybe even your private vehicle if possible.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to reach Malluru is Manuguru (BDCR).

By Air: You can fly into the Rajeev Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad and reach Malluru via the rail or road route.

Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple: The hidden Vaikuntha

Your curiosity or a sincere desire to visit and have the darshan of the Lord at Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is no less a desire to enter Vaikuntha. Nestled deep in the forests of Mallur in Telangana state, surroudned by the lush green mountains, their Lordships await your arrival. The Lord is always eager to see His devotees, receive their affection and shower them with the choicest blessings.

What you get to see is nothing less transcendental; the sacred water flowing from the lotus navel of Lord Narasimha and surprisingly mixed with pure sandalwood. Something which even the temple authorities have not been able to understand fully but is said to destroy the sins accumulated over past lives by a devotee.

Equally unique and transcendental is that Lord Narasimha’s Deity body feels like the human skin with the properties of sponge which takes back it’s original shape when pressed or pierced. Such are the transcendental lilas of the Lord of Hemachala. How could it not be the Vaikuntha dham of Lakshmi Narasimha on earth? Blessed are the pious souls of Mallur and the adjoining regions!

Jaya Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy!