Thread by @rasu667

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple - Korukonda

#WalkToTemple
#BharatiyaVastukala

Korukonda is a village in the Korukonda mandal of East Godavari district of AP.

Here lies the divine gudi of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. There are 2 gudis. 1 atop the hill & 1 at the foot of hill

The gudi at the foot of the hill is old but not ancient. The pillars of the temple signify its age.
There is a mandapam in the Prakaram. It has been cemented around parts of the pillar.

Besides this prakaram lies the way to climb the hill. Steps to the gudi on the hill.
At the bottom is a Peetam with garuda carved on the side and paadam on top. Bcs it has been worshipped with flowers, the padalu cannot be seen in the pic.

Then starts the difficult part.

There are 620 steps. The steps r small & incline is steep. But thankfully there r 1 or 2 shaded area in between to take rest & poles to take hold of. Otherwise the climb & descent would be much more difficult.

Taking time to climb, finally seeing the Gopuram was a welcome sight

The last leg of the steps has a shaded area to sit and where Anjaneya Swamy is seen praying with bhakti.
The last few steps to the gopuram and dwaaram.

Entering the Prakaram we see the Dwajastambham and the gudi.
There is a mandapam to the left with carved pillars and carvings at the lower part of the mandapam.

There is also an inscription. To the right there is another small gudi where alwars are there inside.

Carved pillars with Narsimha, Krishna carved.

This temple is 700 years old built during the Reddi dynasty's rule.

Beautiful sights are visible all around. The beauty of Godavari districts from July to November has to be seen to be believed.

What is different abt this temple is that we see the sculpture in front of you but no dwaaram to the garbagriha. To enter the gudi we have to enter it from back.

While the entrance chamber has pillars with the Reddi rulers sculpted and Dwarapalas beside the door, +

The Deva inside is unique. A Swayambhu foot tall miniature temple with Narsimha Deva inside it & Lakshmi ma on his lap is the main Murti. The miniature gudi has Dwarapalas also carved on it.

Statue of the Reddi ruler.

Unless the pujari shows the deepam towards the miniature temple, we cannot make out Deva inside.
Besides the Swayambhu is another bigger Murti of Deva which was installed for the devotees.

Coming out v turn towards Mandapam around garbagriha. It is this part that is so beautiful

Pillars and an outlet which looks like a naga around the shankam.

Many incidents of the Ramayana are sculpted outside around the Garbagriha.

The Dasavataras.

1st pic - Ravana coming asking for food from Sita ma & abducting her.

2nd pic not too sure. @_ugra_
@gurichopra help needed in few panels.

3rd pic looks like Ravana meditating and Hanuman attacking Lankini with a single fisted blow.

Here too help needed.

3rd pic is Rama Lakshmana with Hanuman

4thnpic is Rama going after the golden deer.

1st pic is the Vali vadha episode

2nd pic looks like Indrajit using the Nagastram on Lakshman

Some more sculpture

1st pic is the vanaras taking stones to build the Rama Setu.

2nd & 3rd pic are the Rama Ravana confrontation in the war.

4th pic again i dont know

The sculpture in 4 rows is a treat to see.
Though I couldn't decifer a few, felt so happy seeing them. This was the reason I wanted to visit this temple though I was daunted at the thought of climbing all those steps.

Finally the walk down after having a wonderful darshan and seeing the sculpture. There are a lot of monkeys there on the steps, so it is better to move with crowds.

Korukonda is abt 20 km from Rajahmundry.
Hope you enjoyed seeing this gudi. 🙏

I don't know if the video will get uploaded or not. But giving it a try.

@TeamGSquare @punarutthana the video got uploaded. You can watch it.