Thursday, January 15, 2009

6. Antarvedi

Name: Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Antarvedi
Deities: Lord Narasimha Swamy and Goddess Lakshmi
Location: West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh

Antarvedi is located in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. It is 10 km away from Narsapuram by boat and 24 km from Razole by road. Vasisht Godavari (one of the seven branches of River Godavari) joins the sea at Antervedi. Antarvedi is famous for the Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple constructed between the 15th and 16th centuries. It is one of the main pilgrim centres of Andhra Pradesh. Antarvedi is also known as Sapta Sagara Sangama Pradesam and also as Dakshina Kasi. . Antarvedi is the last and the most important of the seven sacred bathing places.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located on the bank of Vasishta Godavari. There is also a light house near the meeting point of Godavari into the sea. The surrounding is rich with irrigated land because of several tributories of river Godavari. Speciality of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is that, the God is facing towards West instead of East (usual direction of other temples). Vashishta Sevashram is located near the river where one can have a trip to a small island. LakshmiNarasimha Swami Kalyanam is celebrated on the Bhimsa Ekadasi day, which occurs usually in the months of January or February. Thousands of pilgrims visit this temple on that occasion.

There are five important spots of this Holy shrine namely.
1. The Sea
2. The Sagar Sangam
3. The Vasishta River
4. The Raktakulya River
5. The Chakrateertham

Sthala Purana
Lord Brahma made this place as Vedic to perform Rudra Yaga to get free from his sins and therefore this place is known as Antarvedi. There was a demon king called Raktavilochana who is the son of Hiranyakshapu. He killed one hundred sons of Vashista who was not present at the time. Vasishta could witness the scene with his divine power in Brahmaloka. Vashista prayed Lord Narasimha to save further destruction in the hands of Raktavilochana. Lord Narasimha therefore descended and fought with the demon.

Raktavilochana was granted a boon from Lord Siva that the number of sand particles drenched by the drops of his blood take the form of his body. Lord Narasimha created Maya Shakti, which would prevent the blood of the Raktavilochana falling on the ground and cut the hands of Raktavilochana and ultimately killed him. There after Sage Vashista in the presence of Gods installed the image of Lord Narasimha at Antervedi.

Antharvedi is located at a distance of 130 Kms from Kakinada, 100 kms from Rajahmundry and 65 Kms from Amalapuram. Antarvedi can be reached by boat from Narsapuram, which is 10 km away from Antarvedi. Narsapuram is 112 km from Rajahmundry. One can also reach Antarvedi by road from Razole, which is 24 km away. One can also cross the river by the bridge newly built over the river at Chinchinada by travelling from Narsapur on the Palakol Road till Digamarru and turn for the bridge, which brings one to the East Godavari District, and then proceed to Antervedi by road. Buses are available from Razole to Antervedi. The nearest railway stations are at Rajahmundry and Narsapuram. There are devastanam choultries available for accommodation. There are also hotels located at Narsapuram.

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