Six-day Brahmotsavam from tomorrow

The Sri Matsyagiri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple at Vemulakonda village of Valigonda mandal is all set for the six-day annual Brahmotsavam that commences August 10.

The uniqueness of the temple, having a history of about 1,000 years, is that the presiding deity is the matsya avatara , the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The temple, located on a hill located between Venkatapuram, Vemulakonda and Arror village 13 kilometres from Valgigonda mandal headquarters, can be reached from either Bhongir-Valigonda or the Choutuppal-Valigonda route, hardly a two-hour drive from Hyderabad.

The hill shrine has a famous lake that never dries up even during drought conditions. Devotees believe that a holy dip in the lake or drinking water from it cures them of all diseases and helps them solve their problems.

Till recently the devotees would undertake a trek up the hill on foot, and using the steps constructed.

However, a devotee recently helped the temple administration construct a ghat road by donating Rs.40 lakh. Now all kinds of vehicles can be driven till near the temple. Temple Executive Officer G. Manohar Reddy told The Hindu that they would conduct various rituals beginning Sunday.

The thiru kalyanam would be celebrated on August 15. As the ritual has been well-publicised across the district, the EO said a huge turnout of pilgrims was expected.