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Sri Laxmi Narasimma Temple
- Keezhapavur,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
Keelapavoor is a small village 2 km away from Pavoorchatram located in the route between Tenkasi and Thirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. This temple is also called Dhakshina Ahobila (south Ahobila) is considered to be more than a thousand years old. While the renovation work was being carried out in the temple several inscriptions belonging to the Pandiya and Chola kings were discovered.
About the deity
The Presiding deity appears ferociously with 16 hands destroying demon Hiranyakashipu. Narasimma Perumal graces in sitting form facing west. The sanctum sanctorum is small in size as in cave temples. Lord Prasanna Venkatachalapathy with Mother Alarmel Mangai, faces east, in front of the temple. The sacred spring in the temple is praised as Narasimma theertham.
About The Temple
Presiding deity Lord Narasimma appears ferociously with 16 hands killing demon Hiranyakashipu. He is holding Hiranyakashipu on His left lap. While four hands are tearing his belly, two are pulling the veins. Other hands are holding various weapons including His discus. Maharshis Kashyapa and Narada, Varuna, Sukosha and others are standing nearby worshipping the Lord. An umbrella symbolizing Dharma above the head and two fans known as Ven Samaram are around the Lord.
Legend and Stories
As per the temple legends, around 300 years ago, the sound of Lions roar used to come from the temple. Devotees then performed abhishekam (anointment) for the lord with various coolants like coconut water etc.
The main deity is Alermel Manga, Padmavathy sametha Prasanna Venkatesa swami, and Lord Narasimma is carved on the wall just behind the main deity.He is seen in the form of Ugra Narasimma with 16 hands. The scriptures (Pancharatra Agama) talk of 70 forms of Lord Narasimma with different weapons, postures etc. This is one of the forms. Such a fierce Narasimma can be seen only in Ahobila Jwala Narasimma or in Singirikudi near Cuddalore. Paanagam (Jaggery water mixed with lemon juice) is offered to the deity in the temple and distributed as Prasad. Devotees visit this temple in large numbers to get rid of their problems from enemies (internal and external). On Swati Nakshatra, birth star of the Lord, the temple sees lots of visitors.
Ugra Narasimma has the demon Hiranyakashipu lying on his lap sitting facing east. Out of his sixteen hands six are inside Hiranyakashipu’s abdomen, two arms holding the intestines of the demon king like a garland and the other eight hands holding divine weapons including the Sudarsana chakra (disc) and conch. At his feet are Hiranyakashipu’s wife Kayadu, Prahalada, King Kasi Pandiyan and Narada Maharishi. On the either side of the Lord’s head, there are carvings of hand-fans. His tongue is protruding out with left leg folded and right leg over another slain demon.
Festival
Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Narasimma Jayanthi, Purattasi Saturdays in September-October, Swathi star days are the festivals of the temple. Pradosham (13th day from new moon or full moon day) is also observed with special pujas.
Accessibility
Airport
The nearest airport to Sri Laxmi Narasimma Temple is Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram airport.
Railways
The nearest railway station to Sri Laxmi Narasimma Temple is Thirunelveli Railway Station.
Road
Pavur Chathiram is 45 km from Thirunelveli on the Tenkasi route. Keezhapavur is 5 km from here on Surandai road.
Temple Address
Sri Laxmi Narasimma Temple,
Pavoorchatram - Surandai – Shencottai, Keezhapavur,
Thirunelveli district.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Removal of hindrance from marriage talks
- Relief from stress of debts
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.
Timings
The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.