Singarayakonda Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple,
History
The history of the temple can be traced from the inscription of the temple, which belongs to 15th century . The earliest inscription of the temple is of 1449-50 AD, which records the plastering to the temple, dedicated to Sri Narasimha Swamy temple by Bandari Setti and Kuni Setti. In the early period of 16th century the temple seems to be popular during the reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya, the illustrious king of Vijayanagara, who was a Vaishnava by faith. He granted five villages for the support of the temple. Rayasam Ayyapparusu, who was ruling Udayagiri Durgam in the kingdom of Krishnadevaraya, gave the village of Jillelamudi as a Sarvamanya for providing all enjoyments to Sri Narasimhadeva in 1527 AD for the religious merit of the Raja of Vijayanagara. In the 1528 AD Dontayya presented an image of Hanuman to the temple
Markapur Laxmi Chennakesava Swamy temple,
Situated on the banks of the Gundlakamma river , this bustling town caters to 80% of the country's demand for slates and slate pencils.
It is also a popular piligrim destination because of the Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy temple , built by the Vijayanagar rulers between 1405-1459 A.D. Apart from magnificently sculptured gopurams , the temple has a beautiful 40-pillered mandapam with carvings of Krishna , Anjaneya , Garuda , Lakshmi &Vigneshwara with their respective vahanas. In the Kalyana Mandapam there are 6 musical pillars that produce the 7 musical notes when tapped.
The unique feature of the temple is that every year , from 16th December to 14th January , the sun's rays at dawn enter the sanctum sanctorm , through specially placed windows , and fall at the feet of the deity. An incredible architectural feat that speaks volumes of the expertise of the artisans of the age.
Ongole Chennakesava temple, Kasi Visweswara temple,
Bhairavakonda,
http://bhairavakona.org/
Manikeswaram,
Malakonda temples,
temples at Tripurantakam
Sri Hanuman Devasthanam at Addanki.
Staff Reporter
Photo: Srinivas Kommuri
The Krishna temple at Malakonda of Prakasam district where prayers are offered only on Saturdays .
ONGOLE: A unique hill temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna in Malakonda near Kandukur in Prakasam district where prayers are offered only on Saturdays.
According to legend, Lord Govardhan who lifted a huge boulder to provide shelter to people from heavy rain, provides darshan for “Devatas and Rishis'' throughout the week and to “Naras'' (human beings) every Saturday conceding the prayers of Agasthya.
“The temple is opened at the break of dawn every Saturday and kept open till dusk. Attempts to break the tradition had proved futile, said temple Executive Officer D Subba Rao.
Devotees from far and near flock to the temple popularly referred to as “Godugu Banda'' on Saturdays and perform various rituals including marriages. The huge boulder in the shape of an umbrella has been sculpted by the nature over the ages, he explains.
The temple comes under the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, administering the Nava Narasimha Keshtrams in South India and part of the 108 “Divya Desams'', venerated Vaishnavite shrines across the country
