Antarvedi, one of the prominent Narasimha Kshetras in Andhra Pradesh, located in East Godavari district, is also famous as the spot where the Vashista Godavari one of the tributaries of Godavari meets the Bay of Bengal. The temple and the scenic surroundings make it worth a visit.
Though located in the Sakhinetipalle mandal of East Godavari district, Antarvedi is closer to Narasapuram in West Godavari district.
As per the Sthala Purana, Brahma performed the Rudra Yagnam here conducted by Vashista Maharshi, and as this spot was choosen, the place got it's name from the words Anthar Vedika.
As per the Puranas, Raktavalochana, the son of Hiranyaksha,did penace to Shiva, and got a boon, that from every drop of blood from his body, falling on the sand dunes here, there would be more forms of him springing from them, making him fully invincible. With this power Raktavalochana wreaks havoc in the world, harassing the Rishis. It's believed that once Vishwamitra called him to destroy Vasishta's ashram and also kill all his sons, during the rivalry between them.
When a distraught Vashista prayed to Vishnu for help, he appeared in the form of Narasimha to slay Raktavalochana along with Lakshmi, mounted on Garuda. However due to the boon given to him, more forms of him sprang from the blood drops, wrecking terror on the field. Vishnu, then used Maya to ensure that the drops of blood from Raktavalochana fell into a river called Raktakulya, instead of the sand dunes. And proceeds to slay him with his Sudarshana Chakra.
On the request of Vasishta Maharshi, Vishnu manifests himself at Antarvedi as Lakshmi Narasimha. Since he had killed Raktavalochana in the Raktakulya river, many pilgrims take a dip in this river here.
The present Antarvedi temple was renovated by Kopanathi Krishnamma, the zamindar of Odalarevu, who was an Agnikula Kshatriya. His family had made a fortune in ship building, and his father Adinarayana had laid the foundation for the temple.
It's believed that once when his ships were lost at sea, and there was no news about them, Krishnamma made a promise to Narasimha that if he got the news about his ships reaching port safely, he would build the temple at Antarvedi in gratitude. With Antarvedi being primarily a sandy area, he used his ships to travel all the way up to Rajahmundry on the Godavari and bring the rocks, stone needed for the construction of the temple.
The Antarvedi temple consists of two stories, apart from the main deity, you also have a Ramalayam within the temple complex, as well as smaller shrines dedicated to Venkateswara Swamy, Anjaneya, Keshava within. There is a Vashista Sevashram in the shape of a Lotus right near to the Vashista Godavari, in the midst of a lake, as also an old lighthouse near the beach dating to British time.
Antarvedi also has a shrine dedicated to Aswarudambika, believed to be the sister of Narasimha Swamy. It's believed she was created by Vishnu to ensure she lapped up the blood drops falling from Raktavalochana. She is also called as Gurallaka by locals.
And the place where the Vashista Godavari meets the Bay of Bengal at Antarvedi is worth a visit, the locals call it Anna Chellala Gattu, meaning "Shore of Brother and Sister", indicating the relation between the river and sea.
The Lakshmi Narasimha temple, the meeting point of the Vashista Godavari with the Bay of Bengal, the beach, all make Antarvedi one of those places you must visit.