The 500{+t}{+h}anniversary of the visit of Sri Krishnadevaraya, the emperor of Vijayangara Empire of the Tuluva Dynasty, to Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy temple at Simhachalam, is celebrated on March 29.
The chronograms of L.D. Swami Kannu Pillai, who studied several sasanas have confirmed it, says Kolluru Suryanarayana, a retired professor of history and archaeology of Andhra University and Chairman of Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma Historical Research Foundation.
Sri Krishnadevaraya reached here as part of his Eastern Campaign conquering Udayagiri, Bellamkonda, Kondaveedu, Nalgonda, Khammamettu, Kanakagiri, Rajahmundry, Kottam near Tuni, Saptamadalu, and Vaddadi. According to Prof. Suryanarayana, he stayed for three months, though some historians say he was there for six months. During his stay with queens Tirumaladevi and Chinnammadevi, he worshipped the presiding deity Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy and got some mandapams and temples constructed at Simhachalam. His army camped at Potnuru near Padmanabham. The Danasasanam (inscription) dated March 29, 1516, in Telugu says after his successful campaign in the name of his parents Narasanayaka and Nagadevamma, he made offerings to the deity. He gifted a necklace with pearls, a pair of diamond-studded bracelets, pedant with conch and chakra, a golden plate, and a number of gold coins. His queens gifted a pendant and 500 varahas each to the deity.
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