Mattapalli Maha Kshetram

Like many temples of Lord Narasimha Swami, even this temple at Mattapalli is situated in a cave. Yoga Narasimha Swami Shrine is one of the spectacular temples of the ancient times. It is believed that the Lord Vishnu, who takes the form of Yogananda Narasimha Swami in this temple, was worshipped by sages and Gods.

Sthala Puranam : 

The Maha Kshetram is in the midst of a dense and lovely forest, which instills awe and inspiration in the minds of the visiting pilgrims. In one of the caves adjoining the pilgrim town, the image of the Lord has been radiating glory from times immemorial. Legend had it that Sri Bharadwaaja Maharshi worshipped this deity everyday accompanied by several other sages. In those unknown times, only sages and gods could worship the self revealed images of Narasimha in the cave. Later the sages who had the welfare of this world at their heart, decided to throw open this holy place to the common man. An auspicious time for it came in Kali Yuga.The deity was revealed in a dream to the devotee Sri Anumala Machireddi, the ruler of Thangeda which is 3 km off Mattapalli on the opposite bank of the Krishna river. The Lord wished Machireddi to reveal his image for the good of the mankind during Kali Yuga. The ruler accompanied by his pandits, searched all the caves on the banks of river Krishna, as ordained by the Lord, but could not trace the location of the deity. Sad and depressed, he fell asleep in the forest. Again the Lord appeared in his dream and ordained him to search further, in a designated area near an "Aare" tree hidden behind the foliage in a cave. Waking up, the ruler found the cave and the image of the Lord in a seated posture, with the wellspread hood of Sesha over his head, fully adorned with Shankha Chakra Gadha and as if the Lord was being worshipped regularly, with flowers, sacred leaves, fruits etc. Overjoyed, the ruler revealed the Maha Kshetram to the general public and constructed a Mukhaalaya.

About Sri Anumala Machireddy :

The name and fame of Machireddi has lived down to this day and we still see his benevolence and benefaction inscribed in the golden kalasams in the Siva temple of Srisailam,and others like Kasi Visheswara, Lord Gopala in Thangeda etc.However the fort of Thangeda is now in ruins.

Description of the Garbhagriha :

There is a rock above the door to the sanctum sanctorum. On it is the sculptured motif of Gaja Lakshmi with two elephants raising their trunks upwards on either side. The sanctum is a cave. The roof of the Garbhagriha is a big rock.

The Lord manifested Himself on a rock, which is on the backside of the Garbhagriha. Another rock is spread like the hood of Sesha over it. The Lord is 1 foot in height. Seated in Padmasana, He holds, Chakra in His upper right hand and Sankha in His upper left hand. He has kept His lower left hand on His left knee, and His lower right hand is not visible. On the left side of the Lord, ther are decorated three Namams, and two eyes, which are considered as the form of Prahlada, the ardent devotee of the Lord. There is a small lengthy rectangular rock of about 1 foot length at the feet of the Lord. The rock is said to be "Chakri", an ardent devotee of the Lord who was not given mukti when he requested for the same because the Lord did not want to be separated from him. So he was made into a rock like form and placed in the sanctum. Daily the abhishekam is performed to this rock also.

To the left of the manifested Lord, there is a black, stone image of Lakshmi which is 1.5 feet in height, in a sitting posture on a lotus. She holds lotus flowers in her upper hands. Her lower right hand is in Abhaya posture and the left hand is in Suchi posture. Below the Lakshmi image, there is another image of Lakshmi, which is carved on a rock. As Lakshmi is not visible to the visitors, the image of Rajya Lakshmi is installed for the 'darsan' of the devotees. It was consecrated in 1975. She holds chakra in her upper right hand and Sankha in her left hand. She holds lotus buds in her lower hands. She is in sitting posture. She is 1.25 feet in height. She wears a makuta on Her head. 

Before the presiding deity, at a lower level, the utsava idols of the Lord are installed. There are also copper images of Sudarsana, Nammazhwar and another Azhwar.

To the right side of the sanctum, leading to the north door, there are eleven black stone images of the Azhwars, seven of which face the west and the remaining four face east. There is a trench on the left side of the Lord at some distance in the cave, which it is believed to lead to the river Krishna through an underground passage.

A short narrow passage leads you to the main sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum faces the west. You can see a beautiful mukha mantapam with 21 pillars with a cement roof. There is another mantapam, which measures 21feet X 18 feet, with five pillars and a cement roof, just before the Vaikunta dwaara (North door). It was built during the years 1973-75. The mukha mantapam before the sanctum measures 24feet X 45 feet with a height of about 20feet.

Krishna River

krisnavenitatathaya sarvabhistapradayine

prahladapriyarupaya srinrusimhaya mangalam

The daily programme of the temple is as follows:

05.00 Suprabhatam
06.00 Viswaroopam and Abhishekham after removing kavachams

07.00 Sahasranama Archana

07.30 Balabhogam and Viniyogam

07.30 - 10.00 Darsanam 

12.00 Dvarabandhanam

16.00 Reopening of Temple doors and Archana
17.00-19.00 Darsanam
19.00 Naivedyam and Viniyogam
19.30 Kavaatabandhanam

Sri Mattapalli Mangalashtagam

Mattapallinivaasaaya  madhuraanandharoobhinae

Mahayagnaswaroobhaaya srinrusimhaaya mangalam

Krishnavaeni thatasthaaya sarvabeeshtaprathaayithae

Prahlaathpriyaroobhaaya  srinrusimhaaya mangalam

Karthasthithaaya dheeraaya kambeeraaya mahaathmanae

Sarvaarishtavinasaaya srinrusimhaaya mangalam

Rukyajussaamaroobhaaya manthraarootaaya dheemathae

Sruthaanaam kalpavrukshaaya  srinrusimhaaya mangalam

Guhaasayaaya guhyaaya guhyavidhyaaswaroopinae

Guhaaranthae vihaaraaya srinrusimhaaya mangalam

Sripalyathrimadhyasthaaya nithayae madhuraayasa

Sugapradhaaya devaaya  srinrusimhaaya mangalam

Dhaapaneeyarahasyaaya dhaapathrayavinasinae

Nathanaam paarijaa dhaaya srinrusimhaaya mangalam

Rajyalakshmyaa samaethaaya raagathvaeshavinasinae

Mattapalli nivaasaaya srinrusimhaaya mangalam

Sri rajyalakshmi tayar seva / archanas

Sasvata kalyanam (daily)	Daily santi kalyanam with gotram, name of donor will be performed lifetime.	12,116
Sasvata kalyanam (annual)	santi kalyanam will be performed annually on the day chosen by the donor with his gotram & name.	4,116
Sasvata abhishekam (daily)	Abhishekam will be performed Daily with his gotram & name.	10,116
Sasvata abhishekam  (annual)	Abhishekam will be performed on the day chosen by the donor annually.prasadam will be sent.	3,116
Sasvata poolangi seva (daily)	Flower decoration to the lord daily with gotram & name of donor.	5,116
Sasvata poolangi seva (annual)	Flower decoration to the lord annually on the day chosen by the donor with his gotram & name.	1,116
Sasvata sahasranama archana (daily)	Sahasranamarchana to the lord daily with gotram & name of donor	5,116
Sasvata sahasranama archana (annual)	Sahasranamarchana to the lord annually on the day chosen by the donor with his gotram & name.	1,116
Sasvata kunkuma archana to sri rajyalakshmi tayar (daily)	Kunkumarchana to the tayaru with gotram & name of donor daily.	3,616
Sasvata kunkuma archana to sri rajyalakshmi tayar (annual)	Kunkumarchana to the tayaru annually on the day chosen by the donor.	716
Sasvata ashtottara puja (daily)	Ashtottarapuja to the lord daily with gotram & name of donor.	3,616
Sasvata ashtottara puja (annual)	Ashtottarapuja to the lord annually on the day chosen by the donor with his gotram & name.	716
Abhishekam to sri lakshminarasimha swamy for 40 days	Daily abhishekam to the lord for 40 daily with gotram & name of donor.	1516
Abhishekam to the lord for 11 days with gotram name of donor	----------------------------------	716
ashtottarapuja to the lord for 40 days with gotram name of donor	----------------------------------	616
ashtottarapuja to the lord for 11 days with gotram name of donor	----------------------------------	216

Note:-all sasvata sevas/archanas will be performed during life time of donor only.

Daily poojas / archanas

Set pooja	300
Poolangiseva flower decoration	150
Panchmruta abhishekam to lord (5-30 a.m to 6-30 a.m)	150
Nityahomam (6-00 a.m to 7-00 a.m)	116
Sahasra nama archana (11-00 a.m)	60
Ashtottara nama archana	25
Sahasra kunkuma archana to sri rajyalakshmi tayar	60
Ashtottara kunkuma archana to sri rajyalakshmi tayar	25

Amounts to be paid to devasthanam for the following occasions

Namakaranam	150
Annaprasana	150
Akshara bhyasam	150
Upanayanam	200
Marriage	400
Dastram pooja	400
Sri satyanarayana vratam	150
Ganda deepa	100
Offering coconut	100
Erumudi / steps pooja	50
kesakhandana	10

Mukkoor Lakshminarasimhachariar

Mukkoor swamigal has also opened Goshaalla with 16 cows.

who unfailingly spoke about the Lord in all his discourses, and as those who had attended his discourses say, the Lord,

too, spoke through him.
Mukkur Sri Lakshmi Narasimhachariar Swami was one of the most illustrious upannyasa karsin, the ubhaya - vedanta tradition of the present times and had the sakshatkaram of Sri Narasimha.

Sri Swamiji mastered the Vedas and the Vedanta inheriting the knowledge from his father Sri Mukkur Srinivaasachariyar, a great vidwaan at Madurantakam Sanskrit College of Ahobila Mutt. Sri Swamiji was proficient in Sanskrit, Telugu and Tamil and had thorough training in Naalayira Divya Prabhandam assimilating all the works of Vedanta Desika and other illustrious leaders.

In 1969 Sri Swamiji envisioned the manifestation of Lord Sri Lakshminarasimha in a shrine at Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh. Following this vision, in 1980 Sri Swamiji was divinely led to perform 108 Yagnyahavis. He performed the first Narasimha Maha Mantra Yagnyam in June 1981 in Chennai with the purpose of highlighting the glory of Hindu traditions and to help enable human beings face their problems.

Divine power, linguistic skills, astounding memory and captivating style of discourse were some of the unique features of Sri Swamiji. Simple yet lively presentation of complex themes marked his lectures. Sri Swamiji's collection of discourses, the upannyasams are available in a eight - volume Tamil publication titled " Kurai Onrum Illai ''. It is indeed an outstanding work that is a boon for any layman as well as for every Vishnavite. The profundity of his discourses used to astound listeners as he quoted from various sources and works not only of Vaishnavism but also of Adi Sankara, Madhusudana Saraswathi and several other religious heads. His brilliant essays on Mantrarajapadastotram in Sri Nrusimha Priya are treasures.

The late scholar had conducted 107 yagams in different

parts of India from Rishikesh to Tuticorin. The first was inaugurated in the Asthika Samajam in June 1981. The elaborate manner of the ' Swati Yagnams ' conducted by this Mahah Vidwan testified that he was a stickler for Acharam and Anushtanam which are the two vital and fundamental factors that a ' Nrusimha Upasakar ' should personify. It is a misfortune that the ultimate ' Swati Yagnam ' should be performed in the eternal world.

After conducting a Yagam in Mumbai, he came to Chennai and then proceeded to Kakinada where he suffered a massive heart attack and passed away within an hour.

To the many admirers of Mukkur Swamy there is no doubt that he had reached the abode of Sri Vaikuntam, but the abrupt and premature departure is what the devotees are finding hard trying to cope with.

Festivals&Special Events :

On every friday, ther is a seva of Andal at 6pm with the procession by devotees.

Adhyayana utsavas precede the annual festival of the Lord for 3 days from Chaithra Sudhdha Dasami to Dvadasi. The annual festival is celebrated from Chaithra Sudhdha Trayodasi to Bahula Tadiya.

The following festivals are celebrated in the temple viz., Ugadi, Sri Raama Navami, Sri Nrusimha Jayanthi, Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Vijaya Dasami, Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Dhanurmasa Aaradhanam and Sankaranthi.

On the occasion of the Brahmotsavas, Mukkoti Ekadasi and Nrusimha Jayanthi, about 5000 devotees from local and other areas congregate. During these days, one-act-plays, dramas, dances, harikatha, bhajan and songs afford entertainment to the devotees. The special feature of this temple is giving free food to all the pilgrims on these days.

Temple Trust :                                                                                                     

The temple committee associated with the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department runs the temple with liberal contributions from the pilgrims.

Boarding and Lodging facilities :

Stay facilities are available in the form of Choultries. There are Brahman Chathtrams and Vysya Chaththrams which are given free of cost to the devotees who visit the temple. However it is desirable to offer nominal contributions to the Chaththram Authotities.

Once reaching Mattapalli, one may inform Brahmana Chaththram for food requirements. Here again food is given free of cost. However devotees may donate nominal amounts towards expenses according to their will.

Near the temple, there is only one shop for general items. Therefore it is advisable to take all personal requirements especially medicines when one visits Mattapalli. The nearest town is Huzurnagar which is 25km away.

                                                      Important of this kshetram

There is a belief that incurable diseases will be cured and the evil spirits will be driven out and all desires will be fulfilled by the Lord if one stays in Mattapalli for 11 days and 11 nights and performs 32 pradakshinams thrice a day with wet clothes having bathed in the Krishna river each time.

Another important feature is the possession of a rare type of conch by the temple called Dakshina Vriththa Sankha. It is said that if one keeps it near his ear, a booming sound of the sacred Pranava also called Taaram, echoes out of it. This type of conch is present only at the Kasi temple and nowhere else.

"Ekameva Kshetram, Mattapalli Kshetram, Na Anyat Kshetram, Mattapalli Tulyam, Ekameva Tatvam, Mattapalli Naatham, na Anyat Tatvam, Palli Simha Tulyam" 

which means "Mattapalli is the only pilgrim spot. 

There is no secondary whatsoever and there is no equal to it. 

There is only one Lord and He is the Lord of Mattapalli. 

There no secondary whosoever and none is comparable to him."

  Panchanarasimhar kshetrams

This is one of the Panchanarasimhar kshetram in Andra ( Vedadri, Vadapalli, Mattapalli, Mangalagiri, Ketavaram )

S.NO	PLACE	NAME OF THE G0D
1)	Ahobilam Karnool	Ahobila Lakshmi Narasimha Swami
2)	Yadhagirigutta Nalgonda	Jhwala Narasimha Swami
3)	Mattapalli Nalgonda	Yoga Narasimha Swami
4)	Simhachalam Vishaka	Krodhaakara Varaaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami
5)	Dharmapuri KarimNagar	Bhargava Narasimha Swami
6)	Vedhadhri Krishna	Yoga Narasimha Swami
7)	Antharvedhi Thuurpu Godavari	Aanandha Narasimha Swami
8)	MangalaGiri Guntur	Panakala Narasimha Swami
9)	PenchalaKona Nellore	Chathravati Narasimha Swami