Location

Dharmapuri is a small town located in the Karimnagar district of Telangana, 60 km away from the district headquarters. It is mostly famous for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple which is situated on the southern banks of Godavari which flows through the town. The most interesting fact of Dharmapuri is that the Godavari river flows from north to south direction unlike west to east in all other places where it flows and hence the river is termed here as Dakshina Vahini. This town is also one of the nine Narasimha Kshetrams. Due to presence of many temples in the area, it is also known as ‘Teertharajamu’. The town was ruled by King Dharma Varma and thus the name of the town was named after him as Dharmapuri.

History Of The Temple

It is believed that the temple was built between 928-850 BC. This ancient temple has two versions of temple owing to the devastation it has witnessed over different period of time. The older one is called as the Pata Narasimha Swamy Temple and the newer one is known as the Kottha Narasimha Swamy Temple. In the 14th and 15th century, the next phase of anti-Hinduism started under Aurangzeb after the fall of Bahamanis and QutubShahis.Rustumdil Khan, the Subedar of Hyderabad converted the temple into a mosque with the help of the then Sultan of Delhi, Aurangzeb. However, in 1448 AD, a new temple near the mosque was reconstructed and hence this temple came to be called as Pata Narasimha Swamy Temple. In 1725 AD, an icon of Lord Narasimha was found in close vicinity of the Dharampuri village and hence, the temple was again rebuilt there.

Construction Of The Temple

Pata Narasimha Swamy Temple has two main entrances or Simha Dwarams. Out of the two, Pedda Gopuram is the main entrance of temple complex. There is also an image of Lord Yama at the entrance of the temple to the right. This temple has its own Prakaara or compound in the temple complex. Inside the Prakaara, there is also an idol of Bhakta Anjaneya (Lord Hanuman). Seven more idols of Anjaneya are also framed on the other seven sides of the temple. Inside the Prakaara and before Mukha Mantapam, there is a four pillared pavilion known as the Kalyana Mandapam.Mukha Mantapam consists of 44 stone pillars. The pavilion may be called as Garuda Mandapam dated from the 13th century of the Kakatiyas. The inside roof of the central four pillars facing the Lord is star shaped.The four dark and polished pillars are so exquisite as they bear the figures of the incarnation of Vishnu on the Jangha, nicely carved Ganpati with his vehicle Mushika and various dancing women in different postures.The beautiful sculptures and art on the pillars reflects the highly developed work of the Kakatiyas.The pillars supporting the roof of the sanctum have no resemblance to each other. Inside the Prakaara, there is another Mantapam known as Homa Mantapam which is situated to the south-east of Mukha Mantapam. On the walls of Homa Mantapam, the poems of Narasimha Shatakam were inscribed by Sriman Gudimella Varadachary on 25th July, 1974.

Kotta Narasimha Swamy Temple, also known as Sri Ugra Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated to the right side of the PataNarasimhaSwamy Temple. This new temple was built by Panatula Narayana Deekshitulu in 1803 AD and the image of Yogananda Lakshmi Narasimha was inscribed in it. Facing the Lord Narasimha at the Dhwaja Stambh, Jambavanta is standing. Garuda, Indra, Agni and Vinayaka are also standing around the temple in different directions. The front portion of the temple is known as Antarala and back one as sanctum of the Lord. The sanctum and Antarala are equal in size. There is a circulatory passage around the sanctum of Lord in the temple. Near to Antarala, Anjaneya is standing face to face. The front portion of the Mukha Mantapam has 16 stone pillars. The inside roof over the central four pillars is star shaped and a flower is engraved in the center. The rituals and festivals are similar to the old temple. This place is also famous for the 6 feet tall idol of Lord Brahma with four faces which is very rare.Idols of Lord Krishna and Balarama are also special attractions of the temple.Devotees have strong belief that one who worships Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy will be relieved from mental and physical problems, also get wealthier and lead a healthier life ever.