Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple:



The temple is situated on a hillock know as Indrakeeladri, on the banks of River Krishna at Vijayawada.






Main shrine here is Sri Kanaka Durga. This is one of the 51 Sakthi peetam. Other deities seen in the premises are Lord SriGanapathy, Lord Sri Nataraja and Sivakami ammai.. We have to walk little further to have darshan of Lord Malleswara from Sri Kanaka Durga shrine. On our way out from the temple, to north side we see few steps that lead us to Lord Subramanya shrine. In front of the shrine we see lot of Nagar idols installed.




Purana says once a Yaksha by name, Keela penance about Goddess Durga, who was pleased with him, and she told she would fulfill his desire. Keela requested her to be in his heart always. She asked him to stay back in this place near River Krishna as a hillock, and one day she will reside on this hillock as Durga.



In Kritha yugam, Goddess Durga, after her fight with Mahisha suran, stayed back on this mountain Keela as Mahishasura Mardhini and fulfilled his wishes. Indra worshiped Goddess here, as Kanaka Durga so the hillock, is known as Indra Keeladri from then.



Brahma performed Sata Aswameda Yaga with devotion, by which Lord Siva was pleased and rested on this hillock as Jyothir Linga. Brahma worshiped Lord Siva with Jasmine flowers, so he is known as Mallikeswarar.


Purana says in Dwapara Yugam, Arjuna penanced about Lord Siva to obtain Pasupadastram, which is a powerul weapon. Lord Siva disguised himself as kiratha and fought with Arjuna to test his valour before, blessing him with Pasupadastra. Hence the place is also known as Phalguna Teertha.

His Holiness Sri Jagadguru Adi Sankarar visited the temple. He has installed Sri Chakkram at the feet of Goddess.


The temple was managed by Mogalaya Ruler Taanisha with the assistance of his ministers Akkanna and Madhanna.

1. Mangalagiri:
   
   This place is one of Pancha Narashima Kshetram.
   
   
   
   Mangalagiri is in existence from the beginning of all Four Yuga. It was known as Anjanadri in Krutha Yugam, Totadri in Tretha Yugam, Mukthadri in Dwapara Yugam and Mangalagiri in Kali Yugam.
   
   
   
   
   Sri Narashima Swamy destroyed the demon known as Namuchi in Kritha Yugam. He stayed back as Swayambu Moorthy in this place. Devas were unable to with stand Lord’s Ugra Swaroopam, and they tried to cool him by offering Amrutham in Krutha yugam, in Tretha yugam he was offered Cow’s Ghee, in Dwapara yugam he was offered Cow’s Milk and in Kaliyugam he is offered Panakam.
   
   
   
   Anjaneyar is Kshetra palakar in this place.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see an arch near the entrance of road leading to Panakala Narashima Swamy temple on hill top.
   
   
   
   
   The hill looks like an elephant. Prince Harsva srungi visited all holy places and came to Mangalagiri and stayed back doing penance in praise of Lord Vishnu. One day when his father visited this holy place, to take his son back to kingdom Harsva srungi took the shape of an Elephant to become the abode of Lord Vishnu, who is known as Panakala Narashima Swamy. This is the legend about the hill of this place.
   
   
   
   To reach the top of hill we have steps as well as road. We reach the Panakala Narashima swamy temple, mid way to the hill top. There are many shops selling pooja items.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see Dwajasthambam.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We enter into a sanctum where to the left we have darshan of Sri Hanuman and we proceed further in a line to have darshan of Sri Panakala Narashima swamy.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see a cut in the rock to which the face of Narashima Swamy kavacham with wide opened mouth is kept. This is the place where Panakam (Panakam is made of Water and Jaggery) is offered to God.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We climb few steps to see Hanuman sculpture to the wall.
   
   
   
   Further few steps lead us to Thayar Sannidhi, which is behind Sri Narashimar sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   There is a small cave outside next to Sri Lakshmi temple,which is believed to lead to Vundavalli caves on the bank of River Krishna. The Sages used to use that way to have their bath in River Krishna.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Sri Lakshmi Narashima swamy temple view from top of the hill
   
   
   
   
2. Lakshmi Narashima Swamy temple:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The main Raja Gopuram of nine tiers facing east. .
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we enter in we see Dwajasthambam in front of the main mandapam of Lakshmi Narashimar temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   When we go around the temple we see Sanctum for Sri Rama to the left. West gopuram is un finished. We see Rajalakshmi Thayar Sannidhi to right side of main Sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We climb few steps to enter inside the main mandapam where we see Garudazhwar sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This is the main sanctum door of Sri Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Tanjavoore painting of Sri Lakshmi Narashimar and Sri Rajayalakshmi Thayar is seen on mandapam wall inside.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Charriot of Sri Lakshmi Narashimar Swamy Temple.

Azhagiri Nadhar Temple:


The temple is near Salem bus stand. It is on the banks of River Manimuttharu



Main Deity of this temple is Arulmigu Azhagiri Nadhar seen in standing posture.
His consort known as Sundaravalli Thayar is seen in Yoga Padmasan.
There is a separate sanctum for Sri Adi Venugoplan.



There is a Dwajasthambam, and Garudazwar seen in front of the main sanctum. Sundaravalli Thayar. Other deities like Chakkrathazwar, Santhana Gopalan, Hanuman and Nagar are seen in temple premises.



Purana says Hanuman worshiped Lord here to get Brahma pattam. When Sri Rama was going in search of Sita, Hanuman had a dip in the River Manimuttharu and worshiped Perumal Azhagiri Nadhar. He was stunned by beauty of Lord Azhagiri Nadhar.


When marriage alliance is fixed, both the party meet in temple and with Lord Azhagirindhar as witness they finalize here in this temple. This temple in this place is considered as “Thirumana sthalam”.


Sthala Purana: Once when Brugu Muni visited Vaikundam, he saw Lord Vishnu and Mahalakshmi together. They did not notice him, Muni in anger tried to kick Lord Vishnu. Mahalakshmi did not like his act and she left Vaikundam. Lord Vishnu wanted to bring down his ego. He asked Brugu Muni to sit and started pressing his legs, as he was doing he pressed the eye which was at the bottom of muni’s foot. The movement it happened the muni realized his mistake and asked him to pardon.

Lord Vishnu asked him to do tapas regarding Lakshmi Devi who has left the place in anger. In due course he will be blessed.

Brugu Muni came to this place Salem and started his meditation. One day he heard the cry of child under Vilva Maram. The child was alone, so he lifted the child and named the child as Sundaravalli. As she grew up Muni thought, only Lord Vishnu, can be a good match for his daughter. He prayed for Lord Vishnu to marry his daughter and bless him.
Lord Vishnu, known as Azhagirinadhar, married Soundaravalli. He told Brugu Muni that the child which was brought up by him was Lakshmi Devi. Lord Azagirinadhar and Soundaravalli Thayar blessed him together. Brugu muni requested them to stay back here in this place and bless devotees who visit this place. Hence the place is known as Thirumana Sthalam.


Couples worship Lord Santhana Gopalan under the Punnai Vruksham, to bless them with child. Persons who are waiting to get married worship Azhagirinadhar. Marriage will get finalized for person, who participate in Andaal Kalyana utsavam says purana.


Sthala purana says the temple was renovated by Pandya kings and Rajakesari Varman.