The story of Varaha Narasimha Swamy is associated with the
intense and unwavering devotion of Prahlad. Varaha and Narasimha are two
incarnation of Srihari Vishnu. But in temples in Andhra Pradesh there are
murtis with both the images of Varaha (Boar) and Narasimha (half man half
lion). Vishnu had shown both the avatars in a single form to Prahlad.
Hiranyaksha who had seized the earth and carried it into
another region was killed by the Varaha incarnation of Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu,
brother of Hiranyaksha, wanted to take revenge on Vishnu. He banned all forms
of worship dedicated to Vishnu.
But his son Prahlad was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Hiranyakasipu
tried all means to change the ways of Prahlad but he failed. Finally he decided
to annihilate Prahlad.
He tried numerous means to kill Prahlad but each time Vishnu
came to the rescue of the young boy.
Hiranyakasipu once ordered soldiers to throw Prahlad into
sea and place a mountain on the spot so that he can never escape.
As ordered, the soldiers took Prahlad to the present day
Simhachalam and threw the boy into sea thinking they will place the Mountain
Simhachalam on top of him.
But Vishnu appeared on the scene and rescued the young Prahlad.
Prahlad then requested Vishnu to show him the form of Varaha
and Narasimha. The one by which the Lord had already killed Hiranyaksha and the
other by which He will kill Hiranyakashipu in future.
Vishnu thus showed the form of Varaha Narasimha to Prahlada
at Simhachalam.
The famous Varaha Narasimha
Swamy Temple