Mystery spring waters at Simhachalam temple

Visakhapatnam: Sri Varahalakshmi Nrusimha Swamy temple, the one and only unique temple in the world, which is endowed with free supply of water from a natural stream that flows down the hills round-the-clock and throughout the year.

The temple, which is located 985 metres above the sea level, has been blessed water springs Gangadhara, Naagadhara, Saagidhara, Madhavadhara, Aakasadhara, Seekudhara, Pulletidhara and Pichhukadhara.

Highlights:

• Not a single borewell dug so far
• The temple, which is located 985 metres above the sea level has been blessed with water springs
• The temple management never worry about water supply as the main water spring Gangadhara fulfilling all the needs
• The spring water is used for annadanam (free meals), preparation of prasadam, drinking water supply, bathing and all other needs

The Simhachalam temple meets all water requirements without digging a borewell or getting water from GVMC. In fact, several efforts have been made to know the origin of the water springs of Simhachalam, but in vain.

Thousands of devotees visit Simhachalam temple popularly known as Simhadri Appanna and over 2,000 devotees per day stay in the hotels and guest houses.

The temple management never worried to attend its water supply needs as the main water spring Gangadhara fulfilling all the needs. The spring water is used for annadanam (free meals), preparation of prasadam, drinking water supply, bathing and all other needs.

Devotees, after the darsan of Lord Simhadri Appanna come to the point and worship it as Ganga Devi. Simhachalam temple is a unique temple where Sri Maha Vishnu blesses the people in three rupas (lion, boar and man) and the main idol is always covered with 500 kgs of sandal paste.

The input capacity of Gangadhara is 7,000 litres per day and it is double in the rainy season.The specialty of the Gangadhara water is its purity.

The water is completely purified and with heavy minerals. The devasthanam is diverting the water in two ways. One is one lakh capacity storage tank and another directly supplied via pipes to the devotees for drinking, bathing and for annaprasadam making. The devasthanam also constructed a major tank with Gangadhara inputs at Kesakhandanasala for the holy dip.

Another water source Naagadhara close to the temple main kitchen from which the temple is receiving 2,400 litres per day in the peak summer. Earlier, the farmers utilised the water for their cultivation.

Senior citizens and some of the tribals, who lived on the Simhachalam temple, say that though they were tried to know the origin point of the water source, they never succeeded. Except cleaning of the channels, the temple authorities never invested a single rupee on water sources.

Assistant engineer of Simhachalam Devasthanam Kutumba Rao said that for more conservation of water, the devasthanam constructed another water tank close to the temple which would be opened soon. With this new water tank through pipelines, water would be supplied to the down hills, the assistant engineer said.

By Jatlee