Antharvedi.

Sri Narsimhar

Antarvedi is 10-km from Narsapur (West Godavari District) by boat and 24-km from Razole by road. This village is situated at the confluence of the sea and the Vasishta Godavari, one of the seven branches of the Godavari. Raktavilochana, the son of Hiranyaksha, did tremendous penance for ten thousand years on the banks of Vasishta river, to please Lord Siva and to get his grace. Lord sankara was very much pleased with his penance and appeared before him. He promised to bless him with Whatever he would desire. Raktavilochana asked him that the number of sand particles drenched by the blood drops falling from his body on to the ground at war, would produce equal number of Rakshasas as strong and vigorous as himself after and they would assist him at war and become one with him after killing all the enemies.

Lord Sankara was astonished at the demon's uncommon desire, but as per the promise, being impressed of his penance had concerned to his desire. Then the rakshasas pride know no bounds. He started harassing the brahmins, the Gods, the saints and the cows and obstructed Yagas and Vedic-recitals. Sage Viswamitra found opportunity to take Vengeance against sage Vasishta and provoke Rakta-vilochana to kill Vasishta's hundred sons in his absence. The Demon did so, causing an irreparable loss to Arundhati and Vasishta. Arundhati, Vasishta's wife, wept a lot for the death of her son and prayed to Vasishta who was then at Brahmaloka.

The sage by his divine vision, could come to know of what all happened at this hermitage. He returned to his ashram and prayed for Lord Narasmiha's grace. Lord Narasimha therefore descended and fought fiercely with the ferocious demon.Since the demon was granted a boon from Lord Siva, assuring that the number of sand particles drenched by the drops of his blood take the form of his body. Lord Narasimha created 'Maya Shakti', which would prevent the blood of the demon falling on the ground, and chopped of the hands of Raktavilochana and ultimately killed him.

Joyous Vashista, on an auspicious day, in the presence of all the gods consecrated the image of Lord Narasimha at Antervedi and all sang his glory. Since Lord Brahma made this place as "Vedic" to perform Rudra Yaga to get free from his sins it is therefore called Antarvedi. As the time passed, Antarvedi became a Jungle, where a cow-heard called "Keshavadas" used to graze his cattle. On one day he found that one of his cows rained his milk at an anthill and returned home dry. To worried Keshavadas, Lord Narasimha appeared in his dream and asked him to construct a temple for him.
The cowherd with the assistance of the villagers constructed a temple at the anthill. Sri Narendra Lakshmi Narasimha Rao further developed the temple in 1923 in gratitude of the god in saving his ships from sinking in the sea. It is an island temple and one among the thirty-two of the most reputed Narasimha Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh. The Lakshminarayana Temple at Antarvedi is dedicated to Lord Narasimha - the half man and the half lion form of Lord Vishnu. According to the local legend, Lord Narasimha manifested himself in an anthill. The idol of Lord Narasimha stands installed in the place where he is supposed to have emerged in the form of the stone. Antarvedi is 10-km from Narasapur (West Godavari district) by boat and 24-km from Razole by road. The Shrine of Sri 'Lakshminarasimhaswami' at the place is of religious importance. The Lakshminarasimhaswami Kalyanam celebrated on the Bhishma Ekadasi day during January-February is attended by thousands of pilgrims.