Vaastu makeover for Simhachalam temple

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, March 5, 2014: Looks like the ‘vaastu’ bug had bitten the authorities of Simhachalam temple, the second most popular hill-shrine in the state after Tirumala. Though at a nascent stage, if the proposals get an official nod, the temple will have a vaastu makeover in the coming days. 

The Simhachalam temple, abode of lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, 22 kms away from city, has more than a 1000 years history, but the pilgrim flow and revenues seem to be low when compared to Tirumala temple.

It is said the temple staff has recently observed that there are certain structures around the temple that are not ‘vaastu’ compliant. The eastern side of the temple is fully covered and closed with a hillock. Certain private houses on one side and the kitchen where prasadams are prepared are above the height of the temple.  The chief stapathi (architect) of endowments department has recently visited the temple and suggested  changes in the design accordingly.

The temple history dates back to 1098AD. An inscription dated 1098 AD of the Chola King Kuloththunga provides a clue to its antiquity. Another inscription names a queen of the Eastern Ganga of Kalinga (1137–1156), while a third inscription says the eastern Ganga King of Odisha, Narasimhadeva II (1279–1306), built the central shrine in 1267. More than 252 inscriptions in Odia and Telugu describe the antecedents of the temple.

With the unique feature of the temple being west faced- a sign of victory, all the
emperors who ruled eastern India used to frequent the temple and offer valuable gold
ornaments, gems and silver articles which has distinctive antique value besides loads of
monetary value. According to religious belief, an east-facing entrance brings prosperity, while a west-facing one brings victory.         

According to the stapathi’s suggestions, the hillock needs to be razed, a gopuram constructed, maada veedhi on the east be created, kitchen to be modified to the level of sanctum sanctorum of the temple and the private houses on the north east side of the temple be demolished.

Simhachalam is one of the eighteen Naarasimha Kshetras-shrines of Lord Narsimha in India and was patronized by the rich dynasties of Eastern Gangas, Gajapathis and Reddys who ruled eastern and southern parts of the country from Nellore to Bengal from 11th to 17th century BC.

Around 5,000 pilgrims visit the temple on regular days and the number goes from 10,000 to 15,000 on the weekends. During the annual chandanotsavam  lakhs visit the hill shrine from various parts of the state and also parts of Odisha and Chattishargh. During 2012-13, Simhachalam temple earned revenue of Rs 28crs.

“Its not just vaastu there is also another reason for us to think about creating another mada veedhi on the eastern side. Here we have mada veedhis only on the three sides of the temple. The other side it is covered with the hillock. Generally lord’s processions in any temple are taken around sanctum sanctorum but here it’s been taken only on the three sides. Razing the hillock and creating a mada veedhi is the plan which is at a nascent stage. We will also take suggestions from various other elders and plan accordingly,” Simhachalam temple, executive officer, B Ramachandra Mohan told this correspondent.

He also added that razing the hillock is an uphill task and other issues of not disturbing the natural fabric are to be considered before going ahead.

Historians also believe that Simhachalam second richest temple in India, after Tirumala hill shrine, may just graduate to first place if the hidden treasure troves on its premises are excavated. 

Fearing attacks from Maratha and Muslim kings during 18th century, those who were taking care of the temple said to have hid the treasures underground on the temple premises.

Except the offering by Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar Empire, an emerald
necklace and recent gold offerings by devotees no antique valued ornaments are known to the public.

It is believed that there was a cave under the mandapam on the temple premises near
sanctum sanctorum where the valuables are deposited over thousands of years ago.