The Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple Mattapalli is one of the most spectacular examples of ancient Telangana temples. It houses Yoga Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu as its presiding deity. The deity wears a silver body armor or Kavacham and has a moustache.
Shrine’s History
Temple is believed that the temple history is dated back to 13th century.It is located in Mattapalli or Mattapalli village in the Nalgonda district and is 25 km from the Huzurnagar Taluk. It is regarded as one of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetras. The temple houses the triple deities of Sri Yogananda Lakshmi Narasimha Swami, Sri Rajyalakshmi Thaayar and Sri Chenchu Lakshmi Thaayar.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
Several Telangana temples dedicated to Lord Narasimha Swamy are housed within caves. Similarly, the Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple is also located within a cave. The west facing Sanctum Sanctorum is accessed by a narrow passageway. The main hall housing the deity known as the mukha mantapam is huge measuring 24 feet x 45 feet. The hall comprises 21 pillars holding up a cement roof. A similar hall, though smaller is also present above the north door comprising 5 pillars. The temple houses some of the finest specimens of rock sculpture. One such beautiful piece of art is found crowning the main door of the sanctum sanctorum displaying the motif of Gaja Lakshmi. It shows two elephants with their trunks raised up facing each other. Another one is found above the Garba Griha shows Lord Narasimha seated in the yogic posture of Padmasana. He is shown holding the Chakra in his upper right hand and Sankha in his upper left hand. His lower left hand is shown resting on his left knee. His lower right hand, however, is not visible. Yet another rock structure resembles the Divine serpent of Sesha. It appears as if the Serpent is spreading its hood over the Lords rock sculpture.
This sculpture is about 1 foot in height. The stone image of Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, is placed to the left of the rock sculpture. The Goddess is shown in a sitting posture on a lotus with Makuta the crown on her head and her upper hands holding lotus. Her lower hands are shown in the Abhaya and the Suchi posture. Beneath this is another image of Rajya Lakshmi that is installed in order to enable devotees to offer their prayers to the goddess as the original idol of Goddess Lakshmi is not made available to them. The stone image of Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, is placed to the left of the rock sculpture. The Goddess is shown in a sitting posture on a lotus with Makuta the crown on her head and her upper hands holding lotus. Her lower hands are shown in the Abhaya and the Suchi posture. Beneath this is another image of Rajya Lakshmi that is installed in order to enable devotees to offer their prayers to the goddess as the original idol of Goddess Lakshmi is not made available to them. A peculiarity of the Yoga Narasimha Swamy temple which distinguishes it from the other Telangana temples is the absence of a pradakshinapath around the Sanctum sanctorum. Therefore in order to complete this ritual devotees circle the sacred pillars or the Dhwajasthambha. Alternatively, they can also circle around the stone image of Hanuman which faces the main deity.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
A state-run bus also operates from Nalgonda. Several private vehicles are available from Huzurnagar to reach Mattapalli.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Mellacheruvu Railway Station.
By Air
The nearest airport is Shamshabad Hyderabad.
Shrine Timings
5.00 am to 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
The temple premises receive huge crowds in the months of January and May during the time of Vykunta Ekadasi and Kalyana Mahotsva. Both these festivals are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.