Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple Nagalapuram

Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple Nagalapuram

Sri Vedanarayana swamy temple of nagalapuram in Chittoor district is a popular Vaishnava temple. Nagalapuram is 70 Km away from Tirupati on the Chennai-Tirupati Road.

Story behind sri vedanarayana swamy temple nagalapuram 

Sri vedanarayana swamy temple nagalapuram is a fine example of Vijayanagar style of architecture. 

Krishnadeva raya, the emperor of Vijayanagara, is said to have constructed the Temple in the last years of his reign at the behest of his mother Nagamamba. It is said that this place was then known as Nagamambapuram. It is also said that as the work was begun when his reign was coming to an end, the emperor could not complete it.

Surya Puja at sri vedanarayana swamy temple nagalapuram

Every year, the Sun provides a visual feast to the devotees during the ‘Surya Puja'.

Call it an astronomical marvel or whatever, the sun rays touch the presiding deity of Lord Vedanarayana Swamy situated in the sanctum sanctorum only on these three days. During Three days of the Surya Puja, the sun's rays fall on the main diety from 6 to 6:15 pm. On the first day, the sun's ray fall 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. 

Sri vedanarayana swamy temple Nagalapuram History

Mythology says that 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 is said to represent this very ‘Matsyavathara'.

This is an ancient stone temple probably built 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.