Nagalapuram Veda Narayana Swamy Temple is 63 km from Tirupati and 70.5 km from Chennai. If you have traveled from Chennai, Nagalapuram is located about 13.2 km from Uthukkottai on the road to Puthur, after Suruttuppalli.
The presiding deity is Sri Vedanarayana Swamy or Vedanarayana Perumal. This temple is called Matsya Avataara Sthalam as Lord here is seen in Matsya Avatar, which is the first and foremost avatar (incarnation) among 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu.
Nagalapuram Sri Veda Narayana Swamy Temple Timings:
Morning: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Abshekam: For Goddess, Every Friday at 8:00 AM, For Sri Veda Narayana Swamy Every Friday at 8:00 AM and for Bhakta Anjaneyaswamy on every Sunday.
Distance: 63 km from Tirupati and 70.5 km from Chennai.
Nagalapuram Temple Seva/Darshan:
Suprabhatam 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM
Thomala Seva 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM
Sahasranamarchana 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM
Sarvadarshanam 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Second Bell 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Arjitha Kalyanotsavam 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Sarvadarshanam & Teermanamu 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
Temple Closed 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Temple Opened 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Sarvadarshanam 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Thomala Seva 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Rathri Kainkaryam 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Sarvadarshanam 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM
Ekantha Seva 7:45 PM to 8:00 PM
Temple Closed 8:00 PM
Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple History:
Lord Vishnu, took the avatar in the form of a fish (Mathsya in Sanskrit), went deep into the sea and fought with Somukasura. Somukasura was defeated in the battle by Lord Vishnu, who brought back 4 Vedas and handed them over to Lord Brahma safely. As God saved Vedas here, he is known as Sri Veda Narayana Perumal.
The lord is seen here in Mathsya Avatar along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.
This ancient and vast temple was built during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya. Also, Krishna Deva Raya had named this town Nagalapuram in memory of his mother Nagamba. The temple spread on a very vast area has grand Gopurams and huge prakaarams.
Sri Vedanarayana Swamy temple is wonderfully maintained by Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam (T.T.D) with beautiful gardens along the prakaarams.
The other deities present here are Lord Ganesha, Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Venugopala Swamy, etc., among many others.
The rarity of this temple is the Surya Pooja which happens annually during the temple’s Brahmotsavam on Sukla Dwadasi, Trayodasi and Chathurdasi days of Tamil month Panguni which is approximately around the last week of every March.
On the above 3 days one can witness the Sun’s rays from the horizon, entering the sanctum and falling at the Lord’s feet on the first day, Naabhi (Navel) on the second day and Forehead on the third day, during the sunset, as the Lord here is facing towards west.
All this happens not from the ceiling or any opening in the temple, but from the entrance of the temple. The deity is about 600 meters from the main Gopuram entrance and the Sun’s rays have to pass through such a distance to fall directly on the deity.
This miracle never happens again throughout the year except for these 3 days.
Also, it is still not understood whether it is the architectural or astronomical brilliance of our ancestors, as this has been happening for ages from now.
This event signifies Sun God’s (Surya) Seva to the Lord to warm up his chilled body, as the Lord has been underwater for many years during his war against Somukasura.
Large numbers of people throng this temple to witness this rare event.
Nagalapuram is easily accessible by road both from Chennai and Thirupathi.
Nagalapuram Vedanarayana Swamy Temple Festival:
1) Float Festival during Surya Pooja
2) Vaikunta Ekadasi
3) Andal Neeratotsavam
4) Bhogi
5) Sankranti and Kanumu
6) Rathasapthami
7) Kanchi Garuda Seva
Veda Narayana Swamy Temple sub-temples:
1) Sri Vedavalli Tayaru
2) Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple
3) Sri Veeranjaneya Swami temple
4) Sri Bhakta Anjaneya Swami temple
5) Sri Sita Lakshmana Sameta Ramulavari temple
Nagalapuram Vedanarayana Temple Address:
Sannidhi Street,
Nagalapuram,
Andhra Pradesh – 517589.
Phone: 098485 69581