Yadadri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
Yadagirigutta, Telangana
Yadadri, also called Yadagirigutta, is the hill temple of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, the man-lion form of Vishnu, about 42 to 65 km from Hyderabad (sources differ). By tradition, the sage Yadarishi did penance here, and the Lord appeared in several forms. The temple has been rebuilt in stone in recent years, with tall gopurams and wide courtyards, and it is one of the most visited temples in Telangana.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in the cave-like sanctum
- See the rebuilt stone temple, its carved pillars and its tall gopurams
- Walk through the large courtyards and the colonnades, which are lit in the evening
- Take the temple's prasad, and see the hill and the surrounding countryside
Ideal for
- Devotees of Vishnu and Narasimha
- Families, who often make it a day trip from Hyderabad
- Pilgrims who want an easy, well-organised temple
Good to know
- Sources give different distances, about 42 km by one and about 60 km by most, so ask your driver for the current road
- Timings are given differently by different sources, so check locally, and go early on weekends, which are very crowded
- Special darshan and online booking are mentioned for some services, so ask at the temple office
- Dress modestly, and expect queues
- Steps or a lift may be used for part of the climb, so ask on arrival
Spiritual significance
Yadadri is where Lord Narasimha is worshipped as the protector of devotees, and the temple has become a major pilgrimage centre of Telangana. It makes a good complement to Srisailam on a Telugu-country trip.
Why it matters
- The Narasimha hill temple: a protective form of Vishnu
- A rebuilt temple of stone: one of the grandest in Telangana
- Close to Hyderabad: an easy half-day pilgrimage