Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/hiaVCvQJdFM
References: https://tirupatitemple.info/nagalapuram-temple-timings-darshan-seva/
https://gotirupati.com/sri-vedanarayana-swamy-temple-nagalapuram/
Location: “Shri Veda Narayana Swamy Temple,
9QPW+XFW, Sannidhi St, Nagalapuram, Andhra Pradesh 517589”
Nagalapuram is
a Mandal Headquarter in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. This town is home to Vedanarayana Temple, where the presiding deity Vishnu is
in the form of Matsya, the first incarnation of
Dasavatara, who saved the four vedas from Somakudu and returned to Brahma. The
presiding deity, Vedanarayana swamy idol
facing west. The sanctum sanctorum has Vedanarayana swamy with
his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side.
Sri
Vedanarayana Swamy temple Nagalapuram in Chittoor district is a popular
Vaishnava temple. Nagalapuram is 70 Km away from Tirupati on the
Chennai-Tirupati Road.
The temple
was constructed by Krishnadeva Raya of Vijaynagara, in a typical Vijayanagara
style, during his last year of reign under the order of his mother, Nagamamba.
The place was also known as Nagamambapuram. Before becoming Nagalapuram, the
place was known as Harigandapuram.
Temple
Brahmostavam comes on Shukla Dwadasi, Trayodasi and Chaturdasi of Phalguni
masam (Agama calendar). Temple architecture is done in such a way that during
these three days, the sun rays fall on the main deity feet, navel and forehead,
called as "Suriya Pooja", from 6 to 6:15 pm. This remarks the start
of Summer season as per the holy inscriptions available in the temple.
On the first day, the sun’s ray falls on the feet, the second day on the chest
and the third day on the Lord’s forehead. The rays of the setting Sun enter the
main ‘Gopuram’, slowly sneak through the precincts to touch the main deity,
tucked 600 feet away from the entrance.
Legend
Lord
Vishnu in his first incarnation as a fish (‘Matsyavathara’) waged a relentless
war with Somaka the asura here to rescue the ‘Vedas’. Maha Vishnu was said to
be in a frozen state due to his stay in underwater for a long period. The
half-fish and half-human idol of Sri Vedanarayana in this temple are said to
represent this very ‘Matsyavathara’.
Previous
to Krishnadeva Raya, this is an ancient stone temple probably built either by
Cholas or Pallavas. Beautiful sculptures can be seen on the huge pillars in the
Prakaram (Circumambulatory and processional pathway) surrounding the sanctum.
The idol of Maha Vishnu here is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi and the form
of Matsya or fish can be seen at its feet. The idol holds Sudarsana Chakra.
Architecture
The temple
follows a typical Dravidian style of architecture, with a front gopuram,
followed by another gopuram or gate. The is a big prakharam, and a mandapa that
leads to the sanctum sanctorum.
The Temple
has several subsidiary shrines devoted to Vedavathi Thayar ( that faces the
main sanctum and has huge many-pillared mandapam), Kodanda Rama swami, Lakshmi
Varaha Swami, Venugopala Swami, Lakshmi Narayan and Sri Hayagriva. There are
also the sculptures of Vigneshwara and other gods, on the outer wall of the
Sanctum. There is a dhwajastambha inside the main entrance.
Parking and Photography
Photography
is restricted in the temple and allowed only till the first gopuram entrance.
After that Cameras and mobiles are a strict no no.
No
dedicated parking, and outside the temple, on the road the vehicle needs to be
parked, which might be troublesome, even if there is a very small crowd.
Timings:
6 am – 12:00 pm and 4:00
pm – 8:00 pm
How to Reach:
By Road: Devotees can reach to Nagalapuram
by Bus. There are regular buses to Nagalapuram. There are APSRTC buses
available to Nagalapuram we can hire a cab. Distance from Nagalapuram bus stand
to Sri Veda Narayana Swamy temple is 650mts.
By Train: The nearest railway
station to Nagalapuram is Nagari. From Nagari, to reach Nagalapuram one need to
go through car or bus.
By Air: The Nearest to
nagalapuram is Tirupati airport. The distance from Tirupati airport to
nagalapuram is 61 kilometres, Approximately you can reach in 60-90 Minutes.
Nearby Places to visit:
1)
Nagalapuram
Falls, need to trek for it.
2)
Sri
Kalahasti Wildlife sanctuary.
3)
SriVedanarayanaSwamyTemple,
Nagalapuram
4)
SriValeeshwaraTemple.
Nagalapuram (RamagiriMurugan)
5)
Kalyana
Venkatesa Mandapam, Narayanavaram
6)
Lord
Shiva Temple, Puttur
7)
Tirupati
Venkateshwara Swamy Temple
8)
Papavinasam
Teertham
9)
Valluvar
Kottam
10) Silathoranam (natural rock
formation in Tirumala Hills)
11) Mypadu Beach
12) Rockfort Temple
13) Shri Padmavati Ammavari Temple
14) Chandragiri Fort, Tirupati
15) Breezy Beach
16) Shri Ranganathaswamy Temple,
Nellore
17) Narasimha swamy temple, Nellore
18) Japali Teertham,
19) Nellapttu Bird Sanctuary
20) Elliot’s beach
21) Penchalakona Temple
22) Sri Govinda Raja swamy temple
23) Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai
24) Kapila Teertham
25) Akasaganga Teertham
26) Venkatagiri Fort
Stay
options:
Srikalahasti, Chittoor, and Chennai in 3 different directions
are the best options to stay, with ample options.
Famous Festivals
1)
Brahmotsavams,
3)
Surya
Pooja Utsavam