LOCATION OF DHARMAPURI TEMPLEHarmapuri is a small town located in Karimnagar District of Telangana, 60 km from the district headquarters. It is most famous for the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple which is located on the southern banks of the Godavari that flows through the city. The most interesting fact about Dharmapuri is that Godavari river flows from north to south unlike all other places where it flows from west to east and hence the river is called Dakshina Vahini here. This city is also one of the nine Narasimha Kshetrams. Due to the presence of numerous temples in the area, it is also known as "Teertharajamu". The city was ruled by King Dharma Varma and hence the name of the city was named after him as Dharmapuri. HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE The temple is believed to have been built between 928 and 850 BC This ancient temple has two versions of the temple due to the devastation it witnessed in different time periods. The older one is called Pata Narasimha Swamy Temple and the newer one is known as Kottha Narasimha Swamy Temple. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the next phase of anti-Hinduism began under Aurangzeb after the fall of the Bahamians and the Qutub Shahis. Rustumdil Khan, the Subedar of Hyderabad, converted this temple into a mosque with the help of the then Sultan of Delhi, Aurangzeb. However, in 1448 AD, a new temple was rebuilt near the mosque and hence this temple came to be called Pata Narasimha Swamy Temple. In 1725 AD, an icon of Lord Narasimha was found in the immediate vicinity of Dharampuri village and hence the temple was again rebuilt there. BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE The Pata Narasimha Swamy Temple has two main entrances or Simha Dwarams. Of the two, Pedda Gopuram is the main entrance... in the center of the card... it is open to the public daily from 5am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm. The temple remains closed from 2pm to 4pm. OFFICIAL WEBSITE For more details about the temple, visit www.srilakshminarasimha.org. TRANSPORT BY AIR Hyderabad airport is the closest, 280 km away and is well connected to all major cities in India and abroad. Other airports close to Dharmapuri are Nagpur Airport (330 km) and Vijayawada Airport (390 km). BY TRAIN The nearest railway station is Mancherial, which is only 40 km from the temple. It is located on the New Delhi-Chennai route and is well connected to all major cities of India. DA ROADAPSRTC and various private travels operate regular buses plying to Dharmapuri from all major cities of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The best way to reach the temple in less time is by your own transport such as private car or taxi.