Mangalagiri Temple

Mangalagiri Temple Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. Mangala Giri means Holy Hill. This is one of the eight temples where Lord himself opted to stay for the redemption of humanity from sin. The mountain looks like a reclining elephant from the distance.  During the 16th Century, Krishna Devaraya from Vijayanagara dynasty built the Mukha Mantap. Temple Tower which is of 153 ft height was built during 1807 – 1809 A.D by Raja Vasireddi Venkatadri Nayudu.

Mangalagiri Temple Legends

As per the Legends, An ancient king Pariyatra had a son by name Hrusva Sringi who born with deformities. Hrusva Sringi to get out of this bodily deformities went on a pilgrimage and finally reached Mangalagiri Hill and started staying here. He performed strict penance for the Lord Narasimha for three years. Knowing this, His father Pariyatra was unhappy and thought of bringing him back home. Pariyatra reached Mangalagiri and try to dissuade his son’s penance. Hrusva Sringi who was not convinced with his father’s words assumed the shape of an elephant and became the mountain Mangalagiri so that his body might serve the Lord as a holy abode.

Later, Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu killed the demon Namuchi with his disc and self-manifested here.

Another interesting legend associated with this temple, Lord Rama visited Mangalagiri to attain Salvation. Hence this hill is also called Totadri. In Krutayuga when the Ocean of Milk was churned by the Mandara Hill, Goddess Lakshmi emerged out of this process. Devas constructed a temple tank at Mangalagiri by bringing water from the holy rivers of the land, and Goddess Lakshmi took bath in this Tirtha and offered herself to the Lord Vishnu as his beloved consort. This Tirtha called by Lakshmi Pushkarini.

Yudistara the elder of Pandavas installed Lord Narasimha here at the foothills of Mangalagiri Hills.

It is Sri Anjaneya who is the Kshetra Palaka for this temple. While Rama leaving to Vaikunta, he asked Anjaneya to stay here at this hills for the benefit of humankind so Anjaneya remained here as directed..

Mangalagiri Temple Interesting things

Panakala Narasimha Swamy

It is said that during Krutayuga Honey was offered, Ghee in Dwaparayuga, Milk in Tretayuga and Panakam or Jaggery water in this Kaliyuga. Devotees used to offer Panakam by pouring into the wide-open mouth of the Lord. Only half of the Panakam will be accepted by the Lord and the rest will come out of the open mouth which will be offered to the devotees as the Prasadam.  There will be no ants even after offering large quantities of Jaggery water.

Mangalagiri Panakala Swamy Temple Darshan Timings

Opening Hours: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm

Pooja Timings

Avasara Nivedana: 12:00 pm

Panaka Nivedana: 7:00 am – 3:30 pm

Maha Nivedana: 3:30 pm

Nijaroopa Darshan: 6:00 am on Every Ekadasi day.

Mangalagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Darshan Timings

  • Morning Hours: 5:00 am to 12:30 pm
  • Evening Hours: 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm

How to reach Mangalagiri Temple?

By Air

  1. The nearest airport is at Vijayawada which is 35 km away

By Train

  1. Direct train to Guntur is available from all parts of India.
  2. Temple is 21 km from Guntur Railway station.

By Bus

  1. Temple is 13 km from Vijayawada Bus station

Mangalagiri Temple Gallery

3 comments

  1. Wonderful temple in my mangalagiri