Vedanarayana Temple, Nagalapuram


Sri Vedanarayana Temple or Matsya Narayana Temple is a Hindu-Vaishnavite temple situated at Nagalapuram town in Chittoor District, of Andhra Pradesh state, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Matsya avatar and is referred to as Matsya Narayana or Veda Narayana. This is one of the few temples in India where Vishnu is depicted in Matsya avatar, the first incarnation of Dashavatara.

Administration

The temple is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Significance

The Temple is famous for Surya Pooja Utsavam,considered as an astronomical marvel. During this festival the sunrays will directly fall on the presiding deity Vedanarayaana in the Garbhagriha for three days of a year. The Sunrays travel a distance of 360 feet starting from Temple Tower towards Garbha griha in the evening. On first day the rays will stop at foot of the Deity, second day on Navel and third day on Crown.

Festivals

Surya Pooja Utsavam is one of the important festivals in the temple during which the rays of Sun directly fall on to the presiding deity in Garbhagriha which is facing west during evening before sunset.