The Dakshina Kashi (southern Kashi) locally, Antarvedi has importance of having a tributory of river Godavari meeting the sea (Sagara Sangamam). Whereas the temple of lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is located at the other side, almost nearer to the bank of Godavari, also called, Vasishta Godavari. one of the seven branches of the Godavari. Antarvedi is an important pilgrim centre in Andhra Pradesh and draws people from distant places. This place is considered to be very scared, and the place of confluence is called the "Sapta Sagara Sangam Pradesam". Antarvedi is the last and the most important of the seven sacred bathing places.
Antarvedi is famous for the Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple constructed between the 15th and 16th centuries.A religious fair in that area held on Bheeshma Yekaadasi which comes generally in January or February which attracts thousands of people.
A light house near the meeting point but there is no way to reach the place. The surrounding is rich with irrigated land because of several tributories of river Godavari. Speciality of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is that, the God is facing towards West instead of East (usual direction of other temples in India). Vashishta Sevashram is available nearer to the river where one can have a trip to a small island.
Since Lord Brahma made this place as "Vedic" to perform Rudra Yaga to get free from his sins it is therefore called Antarvedi. 'Raktavilochana' son of Hiranyakshapu killed one hundred sons of 'Vashista'. Vashista, who was not present at the time of this horror, could witness the scene with his divine power in Brahmaloka. Vashista prayed Lord Narasimha to save further destruction in the hands of Raktavilochana.
Lord Narasimha therefore descended and fought fiercely with the ferocious demon. Since the demon was granted a boon from Lord Siva, assuring that the number of sand particles drenched by the drops of his blood take the form of his body.
Lord Narasimha created 'Maya Shakti', which would prevent the blood of the demon falling on the ground, and chopped of the hands of Raktavilochana and ultimately killed him. Joyous Vashista, on an auspicious day, in the presence of all the gods consecrated the image of Lord Narasimha at Antervedi and all sang his glory.
Antarvedi became a Jungle, where a cow-heard called "Keshavadas" used to graze his cattle. On one day he found that one of his cows rained his milk at an anthill and returned home dry. To worried Keshavadas, Lord Narasimha appeared in his dream and asked him to construct a temple for him. The cowherd with the assistance of the villagers constructed a temple at the anthill. Sri Narendra Lakshmi Narasimha Rao further developed the temple in 1923 in gratitude of the god in saving his ships from sinking in the sea.
It is an island temple and one among the thirty-two of the most reputed Narasimha Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh. The Lakshminarayana Temple at Antarvedi is dedicated to Lord Narasimha - the half man and the half lion form of Lord Vishnu. According to the local legend, Lord Narasimha manifested himself in an anthill. The idol of Lord Narasimha stands installed in the place where he is supposed to have emerged in the form of the stone.
There are many other temples over here too like 'Nilakanteswara', 'Sri Rama, and Anjaneya' etc. This place has glorious past, connected with several 'August Munies' such as 'Brahma' among celestials, Sri Rama among the incarnated and Vasishta among Maharshis.
FESTIVALS LakshmiNarasimha Swami Kalyanam celebrated on the Bhimsa Ekadasi day during January-February is attended by thousands of pilgrims.
HOW TO GET THERE
Rail: The nearest railway stations are at Palakollu, Bhimavaram and Narsapur.
Road: Antarvedi can be reached by boat from Narsapur. There are buses from Palkollu, Razole that take pilgrims to this sacred place.
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