Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple chosen for development under PRASAD scheme

TIRUPATI: The Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Nellore has been selected for development under the 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive' (PRASAD) scheme of the Union Ministry of Tourism.

The AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) received information on October 29 about the selection. After submitting proposals to the Ministry of Tourism, the government would announce the quantum of funds to be released for the purpose.

Deputy secretary to the central government SS Verma has advised the state government to submit the concept proposal for the development of the temple to the central tourism ministry. No other request came from AP for selection under the PRASAD scheme, he said.

The ancient Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple exists on hill Narasimha Konda on the banks of River Penna, known in the past as Pinakini, about 15km from Nellore city. It was built by the Pallava king Narsimha Varma in the ninth century.

It is believed that Sage Kashyapa established the temple. The vedic scripture ‘Brahma purana’ says seven sages (Saptarishis) performed ‘yagnam’ (sacrifice) on top of Narasimha Konda. The seven devotional gundams (ponds) here represent the seven sages.

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