Shri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple, Nagalapuram - Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

Experienced: August 2023

Unique Aspects

• The primary deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu in the unique form of Matsya (fish), accompanied by his consorts. A distinctive feature of the idol is that it holds the Sudarsana Chakra in Prayoga, signifying that it is in a ready-to-release position.
• Surya Pooja Utsavam is a significant festival in the temple. During this celebration, the rays of the sun directly fall at different parts of the deity: at the feet on the first day, on the chest on the second day, and on the forehead on the third day.
• The presence of Dakshinamurthy holding a veena is a rare feature in a Vishnu temple. Dakshinamurthy is typically associated with Lord Shiva and is considered the guru or teacher aspect.
• The presence of three sets of Dwara Palakas (door guardians) for the three entrance doors before entering the sanctum sanctorum showcases diversity in their identities. The first set comprises Vishwaksenar and Thapasa, the second set consists of Jaya and Vijaya, and at the third door, you find Manikandan and Sandhya.

The Sri Vedanarayana Swamy temple, situated in Nagalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, is one of the hidden gems among Vishnu temples. It's located approximately 75 kilometers from Tirupati and 90 kilometers from Chennai, near Uthukottai. As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vedanarayana, who bestows blessings upon his devotees in the Matsya avatar, the initial incarnation among the various forms assumed by Lord Vishnu.

Significance

According to the legend, Somakasura, a fearsome asura, stole the Vedas and concealed them deep beneath the vast ocean. Responding to Lord Brahma's plea, Lord Mahavishnu took his first incarnation as Matsya, a fish, and successfully retrieved the Vedas from the clutches of the asura. He then handed them over to Brahma. In honor of this divine act, the presiding deity of this temple is named Swamy Vedanarayana, and he is depicted alongside his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

Built by Sri Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara emperor, this temple stands in the place named Nagalapuram, derived from the name of his mother, Nagulamba. The architectural splendor of the temple, evident as one passes through the gopurams and walks around the prakaras (wide pathway around the temple), is truly majestic. Currently maintained by TTD, the beautiful gardens surrounding the temple's prakaras enhance the visual appeal, providing a delightful experience for visitors.

An interesting fact about this temple is that since the Lord faces west, during the sunset, around 6 pm to 6:15 pm, the sun rays directly touch different parts of the Lord once a year. This happens on the 12th, 13th, and 14th days of the month of Phalguna (March). On the first day, the sun rays touch the feet, on the second day, the chest, and on the third day, the forehead. This special occurrence adds a unique charm to the temple, and they celebrate it with a Float Festival.

Veena Dakshina Moorthy

Temples dedicated to Vedanarayana Swamy in his Matsyavatara (Fish incarnation) are indeed rare. Matsyavatara is the first avatar of Lord Vishnu in his series of ten avatars, known as the Dasa Avataras. The sequence includes:

1. Vedanarayana (Matsya) Avatar
2. Kurma Avatar
3. Varaha Avatar
4. Narasimha Avatar
5. Vamana Avatar
6. Parasurama Avatar
7. Rama Avatar
8. Balarama Avatar
9. Sri Krishna Avatar

All these avatars have already manifested, and the tenth and final one is believed to be Kalki Avatar, which is anticipated to occur in the future. Temples specifically dedicated to each of these avatars contribute to the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology and worship practices.

Location

The Veda Narayana Temple, also known as Matsya Narayana, is situated in Nagalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India. This Vaishnava temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu in his Matsya avatar, representing the fish incarnation. Here, Lord Vishnu is referred to as Matsya Narayana or Veda Narayana. Notably, this temple is one of the rare ones in India where Lord Vishnu is depicted in the Matsya avatar, which is his first incarnation among the Dashavatara, the ten main incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Address

Shri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple,
Nagalapuram,
Chittoor Region, Andhra Pradesh,
India, Pincode: 517589.