The Dakshina Kashi (southern Kashi) locally, Antarvedi has importance of having a tributory of river Godavari meeting the sea (Sagara Sangamam). Whereas the temple of lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is located at the other side, almost nearer to the bank of Godavari, also called, Vasishta Godavari. one of the seven branches of the Godavari. Antarvedi is an important pilgrim centre in Andhra Pradesh and draws people from distant places. This place is considered to be very scared, and the place of confluence is called the "Sapta Sagara Sangam Pradesam". Antarvedi is the last and the most important of the seven sacred bathing places.
Antarvedi is famous for the Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple constructed between the 15th and 16th centuries.A religious fair in that area held on Bheeshma Yekaadasi which comes generally in January or February which attracts thousands of people.
A light house near the meeting point but there is no way to reach the place. The surrounding is rich with irrigated land because of several tributories of river Godavari. Speciality of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is that, the God is facing towards West instead of East (usual direction of other temples in India). Vashishta Sevashram is available nearer to the river where one can have a trip to a small island.
Since Lord Brahma made this place as "Vedic" to perform Rudra Yaga to get free from his sins it is therefore called Antarvedi. 'Raktavilochana' son of Hiranyakshapu killed one hundred sons of 'Vashista'. Vashista, who was not present at the time of this horror, could witness the scene with his divine power in Brahmaloka. Vashista prayed Lord Narasimha to save further destruction in the hands of Raktavilochana.
Lord Narasimha therefore descended and fought fiercely with the ferocious demon. Since the demon was granted a boon from Lord Siva, assuring that the number of sand particles drenched by the drops of his blood take the form of his body.
Lord Narasimha created 'Maya Shakti', which would prevent the blood of the demon falling on the ground, and chopped of the hands of Raktavilochana and ultimately killed him. Joyous Vashista, on an auspicious day, in the presence of all the gods consecrated the image of Lord Narasimha at Antervedi and all sang his glory.
Antarvedi became a Jungle, where a cow-heard called "Keshavadas" used to graze his cattle. On one day he found that one of his cows rained his milk at an anthill and returned home dry. To worried Keshavadas, Lord Narasimha appeared in his dream and asked him to construct a temple for him. The cowherd with the assistance of the villagers constructed a temple at the anthill. Sri Narendra Lakshmi Narasimha Rao further developed the temple in 1923 in gratitude of the god in saving his ships from sinking in the sea.
It is an island temple and one among the thirty-two of the most reputed Narasimha Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh. The Lakshminarayana Temple at Antarvedi is dedicated to Lord Narasimha - the half man and the half lion form of Lord Vishnu. According to the local legend, Lord Narasimha manifested himself in an anthill. The idol of Lord Narasimha stands installed in the place where he is supposed to have emerged in the form of the stone.
There are many other temples over here too like 'Nilakanteswara', 'Sri Rama, and Anjaneya' etc. This place has glorious past, connected with several 'August Munies' such as 'Brahma' among celestials, Sri Rama among the incarnated and Vasishta among Maharshis.
FESTIVALS LakshmiNarasimha Swami Kalyanam celebrated on the Bhimsa Ekadasi day during January-February is attended by thousands of pilgrims.
HOW TO GET THERE
Rail: The nearest railway stations are at Palakollu, Bhimavaram and Narsapur.
Road: Antarvedi can be reached by boat from Narsapur. There are buses from Palkollu, Razole that take pilgrims to this sacred place.
Tourists willing to visit Pancharama temples can reach Samalkot and Ramachandrapuram ( Draksharama on the way to Kakinada from Samalkot) where both the places have one of Sri Rama temple. Travellers can then proceed towards Yanam (under Pondicerry, an Union Territory, 27Kms from Kakinada). From Yanam, continue the journey towards Mummudipalem (15Kms from Yanam), Amalapuram (16Kms from Mummudipalem), Ambajipit (8 Kms from Amalapuram), Gannavaram and Rajole (30Kms from Amalapuram). From Rajole, Antarvedi is 30Kms. People have to take left turn in the road proceeding to Palakollu to reach Antarvedi.
People travelling from Vijayawada and Krishna district of Andhrapradesh, have to reach the place called Bheemavaram first. Bheemavaram and Palakollu have Sri Rama temples which are considered as Pancharama temples. They can add these two places in their visiting places while visiting Antarvedi. From Palakollu, travel towards Rajole. Before reaching Rajole, take right turn to proceed towards Antarvedi.
Importance of Antarvedi
Launch at Antarvedi Gadavari bankThe main attraction of Antarvedi is the sea meeting point of river Godavari (a tributory) to Bay of Bengal. This is one of the place in Kona seema (East Godavari district of Andhrapradesh - India). Vasishta Sevashram is located just nearer to the river Godavari. Hence this tributory is called Vashishta Godavari. Opposite to Vasishta Godavari, Lord Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple is located. Nearer to Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple, Lord Shiva temple is also located (Neelakanteswara, Brahma stapana). Launch facility is available to visit a small island at the other bank of the river Godavari (bank of Brother and Sister). The Mahameru Sahita Sri Kurma pratishtapana of Vasishta devalayam was done during 2005-06.
There will be a fair during January or February (Bhishma Ekadashi day) when Lakshmi Narasimha swamy kalyanam is celeberated. Devotees in huge number attend and take holy dip at the sangamam (Saptha Sagara Sangamam).
Tourists can even travel till the end of the sea and river meeting point if interested. The cost varies depends on the number of people. If limited number of people are willing to visit the island, a nominal amount of INR 350 will be charged. If more number of people are available, INR 50 will be charged for each person.
No standard package is available to visit Antarvedi from any of the travel agents. Tourists have to plan their trip personally. Additional places to visit in this area are Palakollu, Bheemavaram, Draksharama, Samalkot. These four places include one each of the Shiva temple considered as the Pancharama temples (Kumara Rama, Daksha Rama, Soma Rama and Ksheera Rama). One more temple is situated in Amaravati at Guntur district (Amara Rama).
No food is available at Antarvedi. People have to plan at either Rajole or Amalapuram for their stay. Good South Indian food and budget lodges are available in these places. Train facility is available to reach Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Samalkot. Nearest airport is Visakhapatnam.
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