Sri Khadri Laxmi Narasimha Swamy
Ananthapur Dist.

One of  the great historical temple in Ananthapur district is “Sri  Khadri Laxmi Narasimha swamy”  along with sri “Sri Amruthavalli”  devi.  This (Kadiri) area was called as “Vedaranyam”.  There is a hill called “Kadiri” where lord Vishnu foot print is  known to be present.  

Kadiri is also called “Khaadri” where “Kha” means “Vishnu padam(lord Vishnu foot)”, “Adri” means “Hill”.  As Vishnu foot print is present on hill it is called “Khaadri”.  There is also another story that lord Vishnu emerged from khadri  tree to rescue his devotee Prahallada and gave moksham(liberation) to him.   Many khadri  trees were present on this hill. 

Here we can see lord “Narasimha” with ashtabahu (eight hands).   Keeping Hiranyakasipa in his lap holding head with one hand, foot with one hand, cleaving stomach with two hands, two hands having sankham and chakram and two hands holding sword and kehtakam.  Moolavirat (main idol) is shown with this roopam(posture)  not as emerging from sthambha (pillar).  Beside we can see bhaktha Prahallada standing with praying hands.  It’s a very rare posture of main idol along with Prahallada.  Though it is a ugraroopam  of lord, because of presence of Bhakta Prahllada beside him, it called “Moksha sthanam” (place of liberation).

Daily Abhikesham is performed to lord in the mornings, it is claimed by Archakas (priests) that the diety/vigraha to be sweating continuously inspite of being repeatedly wiped off.

Previously there were plenty of water lakes (theerthalu) among which many are unseen now.  Bhrugutheertham (koneru called Bhrugu) which is available now is known to be auspicious lake to take dip and serve lord.  It is also good perform religious kaandas in this place.

Beside Narasimhaswamy moolavirat temple, we can see Sri Amruthavalli mandapam.  In an extended area Alwar vigrahas are present.  In outer area of garbhagudi we can see Govindarajula temple, Kodandaramalayam and annadana kendram of devasthanam.  

 Best darshanam is during the abhishekam time where the moolaviraat can be seen original without alankara. It is also one of the nava narimha kshetras apart from vedadri, mattapalli, vadapalli, yadadri, mangalagiri, ahobilam etc.

There are direct buses available from Puttaparthi to Khadri which takes an hour journey.  Another route is to catch bus from Puttaparthi to “cross” and again reach “Gorantla”  from here many buses are available to Kadiri as well as Lepakshi . From Kurnool it takes about 3 and half hour journey to reach this place.