Splendor, Visual Aura of
Yadadri ably brought out
The Hans India (14-05-2023)
Vivid Masterpiece
Millennium Post, New Delhi (16-05-2023)
Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
(A book on the famed Temple comes with impressive narration and spectacular photos-Editor, Hans India)
(The
Coffee Table Book, titled ‘YADADRI THE SACRED ABODE’ showcasing the glory and
grandeur of the famous Yadadri Temple, is a must-read piece. Even a brief look
at the richly illustrated book will enthuse the reader to visit the temple repetitively-Editor,
Millennium Post)
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, on the day of inauguration
of the new Dr BR Ambedkar State Secretariat Building on April 30, 2023, released
a delightful Coffee Table Book, titled ‘YADADRI THE SACRED ABODE’ published
by Yadagirigutta Temple Development Authority (YTDA). The spectacular Text of
this is penned by Vinay Bhushan Bhagwaty, a Devotee and Faculty Member of
Ramakrishna Mutt, and delightful photographs are taken by Ramesh Babu. Raghavendra
and Lakshmi of Arth Brand Agency designed it. The brain behind is YTDA VC and
CEO G Kishan Rao with his preface, steered by CM KCR including his message. Tridandi
Srimannaarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami Ji wrote the Mangalasasanam.
This book that exhaustively reflects spiritual fervor
and artistic splendor, and showcases the glimpses of the glory and grandeur of
the famous Yadadri Temple, known for ages to many old-timers as ‘Yadagirigutta
Lord Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple’, is a treasure to occupy every house
all over the globe. Even a brief look at the book will enthuse the reader to
visit the temple again and again, notwithstanding the fact that he or she might
have gone earlier. Abundant information aptly supported by attractive
photographs is provided to the reader. The book as one opens it, will see a complete
photograph of Yadadri Temple in its amazing excellence and an instantaneous
urge to go through every page to know various aspects of the temple. The
narration part of the Book is yet another glimpse into what the reader would
likely not only see in the book but also see in the temple.
To quote how it all began: ‘For a devotee, entry into
the Temple is, to axle one’s speech, body, and mind: and the five senses:
vision, smell, hearing, touch, and taste on the divinity within. The devotee
thus becomes part of the architecture whose interior he traverses’. Proceeding
further the narration says: ‘The apparition of the deity soothes the Vision,
while the bells and chanting of mantras claim the hearing. Fragrance of the
flowers and incense, burning of the lamps brings the smell into focus. The
mantra in honor of the deity caresses the tongue. This brings about oneness of
the Atma with Paramatma, a state of existence where
one experiences a deliverance from the physical to a spiritual state of being’.
The ‘Yadadri
Sthalapuranam’ page has an age-old photograph, and reference to Swayambhu
occurrence, meaning an occurrence on its own, of ‘Lord Laxmi Narasimha
Swamy’, the presiding deity, retrieved from Skanda Purana, dating back
to 13th Century. It says, Yada Maharshi son of Rishyasringa,
identified the hillock, where he began his penance for Lord Narasimha in the
caves. Pleased with his deep devotion and ardent penance, Lord Vishnu appeared
in all his glory in five forms namely, Jwala Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha,
Laxmi Narasimha, Ugra Narasimha and Gandabherunda Narasimha. Thus, it came to
be known as ‘Pancha Narasimha Kshetram’. Reference to Krishna
Devaraya visiting this temple, is an evidence that, the temple structure may be
more than 500 years old.
Photographs of existing temple prior to the
renovation, CM KCR discussing the concept plan of the renovation of temple in
accordance with Pancharatra Shastras with the blessings of Chinna Jeeyar Swamy
on May 30,2015 and same day foundation stone laying program attended by CM KCR,
Governor ESL Narasimhan, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy etc. are in the book. Photographs of
the foundation of the first stone layer of the East side ‘Pancha Tala Raja
Gopuram’ of the temple laid on the auspicious Vijaya Dashami on October
11, 2016; identified and handpicked teams of sculptors working simultaneously on
sculpting the icons, columns, beams, and monoliths etc. are attractively available
in the coffee table book.
In another page, describing the ‘Mukha Mandapam’
supported by photographs, it gives an account of the visible aura that is
preserved there facing Lord manifest as ‘Pancha Narasimha’.
Proceeding further it is narrated that: ‘on the inner wall of the sacred cave,
the Lord appears as Laxmi Narasimha Swamy along with Goddess Laxmi Devi and as
Yoga Narasimha Swamy in the Padmasana posture, protected by the hood of Jwala
Narasimha Swamy in the form of a serpent. The mouth of the cave itself reveals
the radiating form of Ugra Narasimha Swamy. The fifth manifestation of
Gandabherunda Narasimha Swamy occurred on the side of Kshetrapala Anjaneya
Swamy Alayam which is on the elevation of the right of the Garbhalayam (Sanctum
Sanctorum)’.
The coffee table book also mentions certain evidences supported
by photographs, which necessarily to be known to everyone. For instance, to
quote, ‘the sacred cave is preserved in its true form and bolstered by the
retaining stone walls into an Alayam leading up to the tower or Vimana
Gopuram. Similarly, the Garbhalayam doorway is elegantly decorated in
gold and flanked by the dwarapalakas Jaya and Vijaya. The doorway is adorned
with the keertimukha in which resides an iconic form of Sri Laxmi Narasimha
Swamy.’
In ‘The
Frieze’, pages there is a mention about description of birth, life and devotion
of Prahalad for Lord Narasimha ending with the Lord shedding his Ugra Avatar. Couple
of pages are allotted exclusively for Alwars, ‘the poet saints of South India
who espoused Bhakti (Devotion) to the deity Vishnu in their songs of longing,
ecstasy, and service. They are venerated in Vaishnavism which regards Vishnu as
the Ultimate Reality’. Photographs of the twelve Alwars standing sentinel on
either side in the Mukha Mandapam, heralding the splendor of the Vishnu Temple
are very attractive. The Alwars are carved on solid columns that are 20 feet in
height and weigh more than 40 tones each.
Picturesque photographs of Dhwaja Sthambham (Made of single
Nara Vepa wooden log) facing Sanctum Sanctorum with the raised platform known
as ‘Balipeetham’; Inner walls of Mukha Mandapam emulating
Kakatiya style of architecture; Vimana Gopuram the main tower over the ‘pradakshinalayam’;
Outer walls of Mukha Mandapam; 54 Yali pillars; Raja Gopurams of Panchatala on
west, south, and Sapta Tala; Vaikunta Dwaram on the north which is opened only
on Vaikunta Ekadashi; Maada Veedhi or the sprawling 1,17,600 square feet outer
prakaram extending on all four sides of the main temple; Astha Bhuja Mandapam
attached to the outer prahara wall of the temple; Addala (Mirrors) Mandapam;
Vishnu Pushkarini; 26 feet height teak wood Chariot that carries Utsav Deity on
the procession; Brahmotsavam Mandapam; Queue complex; Gail Gopuram; Laxmi
Pushkarini; Kalyana Katta etc. are in the latter pages.
Yes, as said at the conclusion,
it is absolutely true that ‘A Rich Spiritual and Cultural Harvest Awaits’
everyone to visit Yadadri or the erstwhile Yadagirigutta temple. This invaluable
and precious book which is not only printed but also sponsored by the famous
Pragati Offset, Hyderabad, must and should be procured, read, and preserved in
Everyone’s living room globally for future generations too. Thanks to YTDA
VC-CEO G Kishan Rao for presenting me a copy of the book.
(The writer is Chief Public Relations Officer to Chief
Minister Telangana)
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