The reign of Raja Sri Tumu Narasimhadasu

*** Jai Shri Ram Jai Jai Shri Ram ***

In this Kali Yuga, chanting Harinama brings the same results as meditation in Krita Yuga, performing yajnas in Treta Yuga, and rendering services in Dwapara Yuga.

Our protagonist, Sri Tumu Narasimha Dasu, was a Brahmin merchant from Golconda. It is believed that 6,000 years ago, those who entered Golconda for business and rose to prominent positions in the government were called Golconda merchants. Dasu's ancestors were from Ponnur Mandal in Guntur District. His father, Appaiah, and his mother, Venkamamba, belonged to the lineage of the three sages of the Apastambha Sutra, tracing back to the Parasala clan and Vashishta Shakti Parasara. Narasimha Dasu was born in 1790 during Saumya Nama, Dakshinayana, Hemanta Rutu, Margasira month, on Shuddha Panchami, with Shravan Nakshatra and Kumbha Lagna, at 12:00 pm on 10th December 1790.

Sri Appaiah Garu was well-versed in music and literature, and his son was named "Narasimha Dasu" following a Jataka Karma Mahotsavam. Narasimha Dasu began his education at the age of five and underwent Upanayana at eight, quickly acquiring vast knowledge. He became renowned for his sweet kirtans in praise of Sri Rama. In 1809, born into a traditional family, he married Lakshmi Bayamma Garu.

At the age of 20, Dasu's father passed away. He briefly worked in a government job in Guntur but, being a devoted follower of Apararama, he felt his work was an obstacle. He retired from the job and dedicated himself to worshiping Pattabhi Ramamurthy at home, spending most of his time in Sankirtan and teaching devotion through his song, "Tell me how to worship."

After some time in Bhadradri, he decided to visit sacred places across India. Seeking blessings from Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy with the songs "Selava Makika Ramayya" and "Poi Vattu Natve O Janani Poi Vattu Natve," he took leave from Swamy and began his travels.

He served Srirangam Ranganatha in 1819, visited the Jagannath temples in Srikurma and Puri in 1820, performed sacred rituals in Kashi, and gathered at the holy Triveni confluence. After this, he returned to Guntur in Bhadrapada, Vikrama Nama, and anointed the goddess with holy water he had collected.

In 1821, Vrishana, he traveled south from Guntur, worshiping Ponnur Bhavanarayana Swami, Nellore Ranganatha Swami at Uttara Pinaki, and Sri Ranganatha located between the two Kaveri rivers before reaching Srirangam. At Srirangam, he praised Ranganatha Swami and visited temple sites such as the flagpole, altar, chariot, gaja-turaga-sala, and Bhagavatotras, singing praises of Tyagayya. He then visited Rameshwaram and Ram Setu before returning to Srirangam, proceeding to Kanchi, and finally reaching Tirumala.

One night, Sri Rama appeared to Tumu Lakshmi Narasimha Das in a dream, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, promising that even if he died, his wish to visit Bhadrachalam would be fulfilled. Sri Rama instructed him to meet Sri Chandulal, the Prime Minister of the Nizam government. Sri Chandulal received a similar dream, where he was told to educate and support Sri Tumu Lakshmi Narasimha Das.

Following these divine instructions, Sri Tumu Lakshmi Narasimha Das traveled to Hyderabad, where he met Sri Chandulal. He was welcomed into his court, where he recited hymns dedicated to Sri Rama. His kirtans deeply moved those who listened.

In time, at Rama's command, Sri Chandulal honored him with the title of Sri Raja and appointed him as the Tahsildar of Palvancha Pargana, as well as the Sarvadhikari of Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam in Bhadrachalam in 1832. From that point on, he became widely known as Sri Raja Dooramu Lakshminarasimha Dasu Garu, a distinguished vaggeyakara. His kirtans became an integral part of the Dashavidha Utsavas held daily at the Bhadrachalam temple. These festivals were celebrated from the wake until the Pavalimpu Seva, and a government decree was issued to engrave these ceremonies on two pillars behind the Badra temple, which remain in the Bhadrachalam Rama Temple as the Rama Lakshmana pillars. Since then, the priests and Swamulawars of Bhadrachalam have continued to celebrate the Dashavidha Utsavas with the chanting of Sri Raja Dooramu Lakshminarasimha Dasu's hymns.

Furthermore, when he assumed office, Sri Raja Tumu Lakshminarasimha Dasu performed the Kalyana Utsava outdoors for the public to witness, ensuring that everyone could participate in the wedding celebrations of Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy. This tradition continues to this day.

The Dashavidha Utsavas, initiated by Sri Raja Tumu Lakshminarasimha Dasu, are still celebrated with great devotion in Bhadrachalam, accompanied by his chants.

In 1834, when Sri Varadaramadas, a close friend of Sri Raja Tumu Lakshminarasimha Das, fell seriously ill, Sri Tumu Lakshminarasimha Das was deeply distressed. In his sorrow, he tied his legs with ropes, played the tambura, and, along with his devotees, carried Varadaramadas' body on his shoulders. They sang Sri Rama Bhajans as they sailed on a boat in the Godavari River. Tragically, Sri Tumu Lakshminarasimha Das sacrificed his life alongside the body of Varadaramadas in the river, such was the strength of their bond. Some devotees also gave up their lives with them, but the bodies of both Varadaramadas and Sri Raja Tumu Lakshminarasimhadasu were never found.

Our History

We feel deeply fortunate to be born into the lineage of Sri Rama devotees, musicians, and the pioneer of the Bhajan tradition, Sri Raja Tumu Lakshminarasimhadasu. As his 8th-generation descendants, with the aim of spreading the legacy of our revered ancestor worldwide, we have formed this organization with the support of four local families from Bhadrachalam (Bhadrachalam, Chodavaram, and Nellore). We extend a heartfelt invitation to all the descendants of Tumu from around the globe to join our efforts.

While many singers exist, we take immense pride in stating that Raja Sri Tumu Lakshminarasimha Dasu stands as the sole figure directly associated with the Bhajan tradition. At a time when this sacred tradition faces the risk of fading away, it is essential to preserve it. Dasu’s influence radiated from the Bhadrachalam temple, and this organization represents our collective endeavor to uphold his legacy and emphasize the importance of his contributions.

We are actively participating in the Jayanti Utsav of Raja Sri Tumu Lakshminarasimha Dasu at the Bhadrachalam Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple, alongside our descendants and devotees, ensuring the event is celebrated with great enthusiasm. In honor of his Jayanti, every service conducted at the temple on this day is done in his name.

For the past few years, our family has participated in temple events, and with their support, we have also organized classical music programs. Since the establishment of our organization in 2019, a growing number of family members and devotees have actively engaged in celebrating Dasu’s Jayanti Utsav. The organization was formally registered in 2022. On the day of Dasu’s birth anniversary, the Bhadrachalam Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Temple, in collaboration with our members, organizes various programs.

* On Narasimha Das’s birth anniversary, we will conduct a "Giri Pradakshina" event in the morning, featuring talas, bhajans, Vedic recitations, and many other services. Dasu performed countless services and Kainkaryas for the temple. As his descendants, let us come together to contribute more services to the temple and continue our devotion to Sri Rama.

* On this occasion, we will honor the Vedic scholars, priests, and temple staff with special recognition for their dedicated service.

* In keeping with Dasu’s deep affection for "Tadiyaradhana," we will continue this tradition on his birth anniversary by having temple priests and Vedic scholars perform "Tadiyaradhana" for their families.

* Vedic scholars will offer Veda Shirvachana to the devotees and family members of Raja Sri Tumu Narasimha Dasu.

* In coordination with the Bhadrachalam Devasthanam, classical music artists will perform "Kirthanarchana" in the evening. Through this, we will honor the services rendered by the temple servants.

Our Vision

The Sri Raja Tumu Narasimhadasu Sanstha was founded with the following key objectives:

• To restore and promote the Bhajan tradition.

• To share the Sankirtans of Raja Sri Tumu Narasimha Dasu globally.

• To document and publish the services rendered by Raja Sri Tumu Narasimha Dasu as both an officer and devotee of the Sri Bhadrachala Sita Ramachandra Devasthanam, ensuring they are widely recognized.

• To coordinate the celebration of Raja Tumu Narasimhadasu's Jayanti Utsav in collaboration with the Sri Seeta Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam in Bhadrachalam.

• To offer support to underprivileged students and artists from disadvantaged backgrounds through the Sanstha.

• To arrange for devotees to assist with services at the Bhadrachalam Devasthanam on special occasions such as Sri Ramanavami and Vaikuntha Ekadashi, including the distribution of fresh water and buttermilk.

• We plan to organize additional programs in the future with the help of our family members and devotees.