Nimbachalam Narasimha (Limbadri gutta/Nimbachala)

Nimbachalam Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy

Nimbachalam Temple Location

Limabadri gutta (Nimbachala Kshethram) is a piligrim centre near Bheemgal towm, AndraPradesh, India.
It is 53 KMs from Nizamabad city. Nizamabad is the 10th largest city, in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
It is located 171 kilometres (106 mi) north of state capital, Hyderabad.


Shriman Nimbachala Mahatmyam (Sthala Puranam)

Shri Nimbachalam is one of the famous hill shrine temples of Lord Shri Laxmi Nrusimha Swamy. This hill shrine is located in Nizamabad District of Andhra Pradesh 5 kilometers away from the temple town of Bheemgal. The main temple cave is situated on the pious, sacred Hillock that shines with golden tower. This Sthalapurana, with the name of Shriman Nimbachala Mahatmyam, is in the “Brahma Vyvarthaka Puranam” which is one amongst the “Ashtadasa Puranas”. According to Sthalapurana this hillock is two yojanas (26 Kmts) away on the south side of Goutami river.This Puranam says that Lord Nrusimha was pleased by the penance of Brahma and Prahlada and upon their prayer he has conceded their wish to stay back on that sacred hill. Shri Nrusimha Swamy, with his consort Shri Mahalaxmi sitting on his left thigh, is accompanied by Naranarayana (Krishna, Arjuna) and Parama Vaishnava Hanuman, Bhagavathothama Garuda and Shri Man Madhwacharya.
It is the second temple in India after Badrinath where Swayambhu Nara Narayana are worshipped at one place. In order to serve His Holiness, the gods from heaven have taken the shapes of rocks and trees on the hillock. In the early days, this Puranam (sthala Puranam) was told by the great Rishi Sutha to Shounakadi rishis, by Shri Vedavyasa deva to Janamejaya raja, Markandeya to Maharaja Chandragupta, by Vashishtha Mahamuni to Mandhata Maharaja as katha-parampara in detail. The word Nimbachalam is the combination of two Sanskrit words “Nimba” and “Achalam”. “Nimba” literally means “Neem” tree and “Achalam” means "one that does not has movement or life i.e. a hill". As it was covered by Neem trees it got this name.




Nimbachala (Limbadri Gutta) Lakshmi Narasimha

  Though Narasimhar looks beautiful and lovely, I couldnt take my eyes out of this sweet little Thayar.



Nimbachalam – the Tapobhoomi (the abode of Penance and Tapasya)

• At the time of wedlock between Shiva and Parvathi, Vidhata Brahma, who performed this ritual happened to see the feet of Parvathi and due to that unholy glance had to loose his Brahma Charya, By this Lord Shiva turned furious and decapitated Brahmas fifth head. In order to get rid off his sinful thought, Brahma performed penance over here. Lord Shiva also performed penance to get rid off the sin of decapitating (Brahma hatya Pataka). With the order of Shri Nrusimha Swamy lord Shiva took the form of “Jodulingalu” (Dual Phallic) on the hill.
• The king of Kambhoja province Dharmapala took holy dip in the Chintamani lake, which is on the western side of the hill and performed tapasya for thirty thousand years for which he was gifted with the Darshan of Shri Nrusimha Swamy.
• A Brahmin from Kashi, out of his ignorance, had physical interaction with his daughter for which he did penance for twelve years and got relieved of his sin and attained salvation.
• At the time of Narasimhavatara, Shri Maha Laxmi could not stand in front of Shri Nruhari because of his furious anger and fuming, raging, stormy roar of Nrusimha. She had to hide in the lotus (Kamalam) for few moments, due to fear, in the pushkarini (or temple pond) for which it is named as ‘Kamala pushkarini’.
• Prahlada in order to pacify Nrusimha performed tapasya over the hill, which was serene, and with perfect tranquility. Nrusimha Swamy was gratified with his meditation and accepted to stay back on the hill as per the wish of Prahlada.
• King of Suras, Devandra, along with his wife Shachi did pooja of Swamy Varu with ‘suvarna pushpalu’ and ‘santhana pushpalu’
• With the order of Vashishtha, Raja Harischandra did penance over here to get rid of non righteous act of selling his wife and got relieved of his wrong doing.
• In Tretha yuga, Shri Rama along with his consort Sita and brother Laxmana visited this temple shrine on his way to South India (Dakshinapatha). With the orders of Shri Rama, Hanuman performed tapasya and with the command of Shri Varu he stayed back at the bottom of the hill towards west.
• With the direction of Brahma, Yamadharma raja performed tapasya at the hill and with the orders of Shri Swamy Varu stayed back in the form of ‘Bilwa Vruksham’ or ‘Pathri Vruksham’ because of which in this temple ‘pathri leaves’ are offered to Shri Swamy Varu which is unique through out the world as nowhere pathri leaves are offered to Lord Vishnu.
• The two river goddesses ‘Chintamani’ and ‘Viraja’, with the order of Shri Maha Vishnu took the shape of lake and river respectively. Chintamani Lake is at the foot of the hill towards west. Viraja river flows seven kilo meters (7 Kmts) away from the hill shrine. This river is 2 Kmts away from Bheemgal towards south, flowing from east to west.
• Once when Bhrugu Maharshi visited Kailasam, he was stopped by Nandi at the entrance due to which Bhrugu got enraged and cursed Nandi to become an animal for his misbehavior. Nandi, in turn approached Lord Shiva who has asked him to do penance at the bank of a lake situated in Bheemgal, which later on has come to known as‘Nandi Tataka’
• After the end of Krishna Avatar, Yudhistira and Arjuna were in grief. Krishna appears in front of Yudhistira and says “Dharmaja! I am not disappearing from this mortal world. I along with Arjuna (with “Amsha Bheda”) in the form of Naranarayana will be at Badrinath and Nimbachalam. You go to those places and worship me”. Saying thus Lord Krishna disappeared. The Almighty is being worshipped by scores of devotees every day.

Nimbachalam On the Hill

Shri Swamy Vari garbha Gruha:- As said in the Sthala purana, Lord Shri Laxmi Nrusimha Swamy Varu has accepted the request of Prahlada and sat in the sanctum sanctorum as Swayambhu which Literally means self – installed. Mythology says that this Bhavya Vigraha of Shri Nrusimha Swamy has enjoyed the pujas done by Bramhadi devatas. The sanctum sanctorum is present in a natural cave.

On the left side of Shri Laxmi Nrusimha Swamy are Krishna-Arjuna who are known as Nara- Narayana. The idols of Nara-Narayana are present only at two places – they are Badrinath and Nimbachalam. Hence this temple is also known as “Dakshina Badrinath”.
After Nara-Narayana are Anjaneya, Madhavaacharya and Garuda. Nitya Archana Vidhana in this temple is based on Padyamala(Shoda-Shopa Chara tantra Sarokta Puja) written by Great Pontiff of Dwaita Siddhanta Shri 1008 Shri Jayatheertha Shri Pandan galu of Uttaradimutt.

Jodu Lingalu:-
After doing Penance on this hill, with the orders of Shri Swamy Varu, Lord Shiva took the form of Jodu Lingalu which are towards N.West of Sanctum Sanctorum.

Besides Parama Shiva, Anjaneya, Ganapathi and Kalabhairava idols are present over here. Kalabhairava, according to sthala purana, is the guardian of all the wealth and assets of Nimbachalam. Hence his darshana is imminent.

Ayodhya Anjaneya:-
According to stalapurana, with the orders of ShriRama, Anjaneya undergoes tapasya and with the command from Shri Laxmi Nrusimha Swamy he settles back at the foot of the hill on the bank of Chintamani Kunta (or) Chintamani Tataka. Anjaneya, the avatara of Vayudeva, is an ordent devotee of Shrihari. He is the only God who understands Vishnutatva. He is responsible for the existence of all life on the earth. As is said “ Hari Sarvothama, Vayu Jeevothama”, this Vayu gives enlightenment and paves way for Moksha. Hence his darshana and dhyana are a must on the part of any Vaishanava.

Bheemgal Utsava Swamy

Utsava Swamy is the processional diety. As Mulavigraha can not be moved, utsava swamy presides over all the rituals that take place out of sanctum sanctorium. The Utsava swamy temple of Shri Laxmi Narasimha swamy is in the temple town of Bheemgal. It is in the old market place(Angadi Bazar). This procession diety is taken in Palanquin to the Hill temple at the time of Brahmotsavam. Jayanthyutsavam and Pushya saptahotsavam as well as Vasantotsavam are performed in this temple of Bheemgal only.(Utsava swamy Mandiram).

For every devotee who visits hill temple i.e Limbadri gutta, it is a must for them to have darshan at this utsava swamy temple also.(In Bheemgal). And it is a compulsion with out which the pilgrimage or holy trip is incomplete.

There is a large Nandi outside Bhimgal on the way from hill temple to temple town. This monorock Nandi has its antecedents to Nimbachalamahatyam.

Nimbachalam, Getting There

Nimbachalam: locally called as Limbadri Gutta is 5 Km away from the temple town Bheemgal. It is to the east of the temple town Bheemgal well connected with road.

From Hyderabad: From Hyderabad the temple town Bheemgal is 200 Kmts away. It is towards Nagpur. One has to take N.H.7 towards Nagpur. Crossing Kamareddy and Dichpally and Armoor. At Armoor there is a diversion from N.H - 7 to right side. From here the temple town is 25 kmts away. Journey is of 5 hrs from Hyderabad.

From Nizamabad: From the district head quarters, it is 50 kmts away. Journey is of 75 minutes. There are no. of busses from Hyderabad to Bheemgal. Also direct busses are there from Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Armoor, Kamareddy, Basar, Kammarpally, Deglur.

From the temple town of Bheemgal: There are busses, jeeps, autos that continuously fly towards the hill temple. Up to Nizamabad there is train facility which is connected with Hyderabad and Maharashtra tracks.

Accommodation: As the construction of choultries is picking up in recent years, there are few choultries on the hill. Besides there is an inspection bungalow (or) guest house in Bheemgal which can be booked.

LimadriGutaa/Nimbachala Temple contact details:-
Nambi Limbadri,
Founder Trustee,
Shri Laxmi Nrusimha Swamy Temple,
Bheemgal - 503307.
Phone: 238397 (91+8463)

Email:
Trustee@Nimbachalam.org
Vijay@Nimbachalam.org
Vijayamu9@yahoo.com
Vijayasarathynambi@gmail.com

Nimbachalam Temple WebSite http://www.nimbachalam.org/