Sri Yoganand Lakshmi Narsimha Swamy’s kshetram in Dharmapuri is one among the nava Narsimha Kshetrams in Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, this place was ruled by the king Dharma Varma thus the place is known as Dharmapuri. As per the history of the place, though this temple existed well before 850-928 BC, it was destroyed by the Bahumani Sultans in 1422-1436 and again in the 17th century, the temple was reconstructed. In this temple, swamywaru is carved in Shaligram shila.
Sacred river Godavariflows beside this temple as Dakshinavahini and thus this place is also called as Dakshina Kashi and Teertharajamu. Apart from the main deity of the temple Vishnuswarupa lord Sri Narsimha, there are temples of Brahma Dev and Sri Rama Lingeshwara Swamy. Because there are three deities Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh reside in the same temple, this temple is also known as Trimurthy Kshetram.
About Dharmapuri
This place also has the temple of Yama Dharma Raja. There is a popular adage here which says “One who comes to Dharmapuri will not go to Yamapuri”. This place has Venkateshwar Swamy, Ugra Narsimha Swamy, Sri Anjaneya Swamy, Sri Venugopala Swamy, Sri Yama Dharma Raja and Sri Ramlingeshwara Swamy temples. This is not only a holy place but also popular historical. Dharmapuri Kshetram is birth place for Vedas, ancient culture, music, literature and poetry.
The Godavari River flowing in this place, has Brahmagundam, Satyavatigundam, Palagundam, Chakragundam. As per the Sri Dattatreya Puranam, the Godavari river here flows as Dakshinavahini, the devotees who visit three times and takes bath in this river and takes darshan of Swamyvaru will have his sins and three generations sins washed off.
Temple Information Video
History of Dharmapuri Temple
The Temple is situated in the Jagityal Dist. On the Southern Bank of the sacred river Godavari, Dharmapuri also called as ‘Dakshina Kashi’ is famous one of the nine Narasimha Kshetras of the Telangana & Andhra Pradesh.
The temple town is sanctified by the Saikatha linga (Sand Linga) said to have been installed by Lord Sri Rama During his journey to Dandakaranya. There is a blend of Shaiva and Vaishnava culture, where people make no destination between Lord Shiva and Vishnu. Having Lord Narasimha, Sri Ramalingeshwara Temples and a mosque side by side, it is surviving testimony of unity and integrity of Muslim and Hindus.
The importance of Keshtra is revealed in the life histories of King Dharmavarma, princess Savitri, and Dharmangada. References have been made of this historical city in epics and many literary works it was mentioned as ‘Dharmapura’ in Skandha and Brahmanda Puranas, Dharmapuri during Budhist period Dharmaram in Dekkala Banda inscription of the Rashtrakutas. Its name is also found in the writings of Ekamranatha of Kakatiya period. Pothanamathya, Korvi Goparaju, Padmapurana of Madiki Singana, Kalapurnodayam by Pingali Surana, besides three Shathakas Narasimha, Narahari and Nrukesari composed by the well-known poet of the place Sheshachala Dasu some two centuries ago, which are by any yardsticks the best in the entire Shathaka history in the Telugu Literature.