Kethavaram Laxminarshima Swamy Temple is 1100 years old ancient temple situated on the banks of River Krishna in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The presiding deity is Sri Vajra Narasimha Swamy, and he is Swayambu (self-manifested).
Kethagiri King Ketha Varma ruled this place in the 11th century and hence got the name Kethavaram. Kethavaram is also known as Kaataaram or Kethaaram. Legend says King Ketha Varma constructed 108 temples when he ruled this place.
Kethavaram Temple is one of the most important 9 Narasimha Swamy Temples across India and is of the Pancha Narashima Kshetram in Andhra Pradesh/Telangana. A huge number of devotees visit this Historical Temple during the Krishna Pushkaralu.
Sri Narasimha Swamy at Kethavaram is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested deity). The Mother Goddess is Chenchu Lakshmi. There seem to be 2 temples here. One is at the foot of the hill, and the other is at the hilltop. There are 600 steps to reach the hill temple.
Narasimha Jayanthi is the main festival celebrated in a grand manner. Janmashtami, Sri Rama Navami and Vaikuntha Ekadashi are the other festivals celebrated.
A seperate shrine for Sri Anjaneya Swamy is there in the temple complex. 12 Azhwars of the Sri Sampradaya. Six Azhwars on the right side of the Narasimha swamy face the six Azhwars on the left side also.
The best time to visit is in the Winter season (September to February).
Kethavaram Laxminarshima Swamy Temple History:
Once, during the reign of KethaVarma, the Lord appeared in the dream of a Yadava king who ruled a nearby land and told him about his presence on the hill of Kethavaram. King Yadava immediately conveyed this message to King Ketha Varma, who carried out an exhaustive search on the hill and finally discovered Lord Sri Narasimha’s Swayambhu Moorthy.
Kethavarma constructed a temple on the place and organized NityaPooja. The Festivals began to be celebrated with great splendour. Lord Narasimha pays homage to the devotees with Mother Mahalakshmi. There is also a shrine for Sri Anjaneya in this temple.
Vajralaya: – While digging the land here for a tank, one worker was hit by a stone, and it began bleeding. Testing the rock, it turned out to be a diamond rock. Further digging brought out some idols also. Hence, Lord Narasimha is praised as Vajralaya., vajram meaning diamond.
Kethavaram Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
How to Reach Kethavaram Sri Vajra Narasimha Swamy Temple:
By Air:
Vijayawada International Airport is the nearest airport, 135 km, and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad is 246 km. From here, Devotees should hire a taxi from the airports.
By Rail:
Bellamkonda railway station is 23.6 km. One has to catch a local train from Guntur or Vijayawada to reach Bellamkonda. Local transport is available to reach Kethavaram Laxminarshima Swamy Temple.
By Road:
You can reach Guntur town and travel from there by public transport to Satanapalle town and further to Kethavaram.
Kethavaram Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Address:
Sri Narasimha Temple,
Kedavaram,
Guntur district,
Andhra Pradesh – 522411.
Phone: 097052 23505
How to reach this place kethavaram from guntur
Dear Nagamani D C
You can reach Guntur town and travel from there by public transport to Satanapalle town and further to Kethavaram.