Arulmigu Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple

Overview

Arulmigu Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple is an ancient temple built by Vasantharaja of Vriddachalam. Located around 25kms South West of Villupuram and 3kms west of the Kedilam Cross Road off the Chennai-Trichi National Highway is the 1800 year old Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Parikkal. This is one of the four Narasimha temples in this region. The others being Anthili (near Thiru Kovilur), Poovarasan Kuppam (15kms North of Panruti) and Singiri (12kms South of Pondicherry). Also, there is the Sayana Narasimha in Thiru Vathigai in Panruti.

About The Temple

If one travels by road on the Villupuram- Vriddachalam road, after covering a distance of 20 km, one will find a huge Anjaneya archa-vigraha standing on the left side of the road facing west without a roof to protect him from rains and scorching sun. By travelling in the western direction a further three km one can reach Parikkal, after crossing the the Thenpennai. The Garuda Nadhi flows two km north of Parikkal. As it is situated between two rivers, it is considered as holy as Srirangam. The temple, which has no Rajagopuram, is at the centre of the village.

A pilgrim can offer obeisance to Anjaneya at the entrance while the archa-vigrahas of Vinayaka and the Nagars are found in the main Prakaram. After praying at the shrine of Garuda, he can worship the presiding deity, Lakshmi Narasimha with His Consort, seated on His left lap. Said to be a Swayambu Murthi, the archa-vigrahas, according to some scholars, was installed by Vyasaraja. The Anjaneyaarcha-vigrahas, found inside the sanctum sanctorum, was also installed by him and it is one of the 732archa-vigrahas installed by the saint all over the south. The other, of course, is the archa-vigraha in the Nallattoor Temple, near Tiruttani. The place gained the name of Parikkal as Goddess Mahalakshmi embraced Lord Narasimha to pacify Him and Her archa-vigraha is found with Her right hand wrapped around the Lord. The Lord is also found with His left hand around the Goddess.

According to another legend the Lord destroyed a demon known as Parakalasuran here to save His devotees and hence the place came to be known as Parikkal. The Lord here was said to have appeared before Vasantharajan, a local ruler. Unlike in most of the Narasimha temples, the Utsavararcha-vigraha here is also that of Narasimha in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side. There is also a small archa-vigraha of Lakshminarasimha in the sanctum sanctorum besides that of udarsana.

There is a separate shrine for the Goddess, Kanagavalli Thayar, on the right side of the temple, and Her Utsava archa-vigraha is inside the main msanctum sanctorum. To the northwest is the shrine of Anjaneya, where two archa-vigrahas of Bhakta Anjaneya and Veera Anjaneya are worshipped. The shrine is thronged by those who are afflicted by Navagraha Dosha and they light ghee and oil lamps. They spread before the archa-vigrahas the nine kinds of grains (Navadanyam) and write their pleas on them seeking relief and His blessings.

In the northern Prakaram there is a shrine for Lord Varadaraja of Kancheepuram. A big portrait of Lakshmi Narasimha in the main Mandapam attracts devotees. There is a well inside the temple known as “Naga Koopam” and bathing in its water cures one of many ills. Garuda and Gomukhi Theerthams are the other water sources. The holy tree is “Magizham.” There is an ancient “Deepasthampam” in front of the temple, which faces east.

Inscriptions

Inscriptions on the temple walls confirming the rich history behind this temple are the several inscriptions found on the outside walls of the temple dating back several hundred years, prominent among them include the fish shaped inscriptions. This leads one to two inferences: One, the Pandya kings, whose symbol was a ‘Fish’, may have contributed to this temple in a big way. The other is the story relating to Vasantharaja, who one night saw in his dreams fishes near this place an indication of impending victory in his battle against the Asura.

Some of the other prominent inscriptions

• 13th Century AD inscription indicating contribution by Pallava king Koperuchingan
• 14th Century AD inscription that describes the contribution of Thiru Bhuvanam Chakravarthy Konerinmai Kondaan.
• Another inscription shares light on the tax exemption in nearby villages -Tiruvennai Nallur, Aanathur and Sithanthur and using these funds for the improvement and maintenance of this temple
• Raja Raja Chozhan I is said to have constructed the temple tank
• Renovation of the temple by Pallava and Nayak kings

History of the Temple

Vasantharaja ruled this place with his capital at Vriddachalam and wanted to build a temple for Lord Narasimha. Constantly troubled by Parakalasura (said to be a relative of Hiranyakashipu), Vasantharaja undertook a penance here as directed by his Guru. Answering his prayers, Lord Narasimha is said to have appeared here and killed the Asura.

Having only seen the destructive mood of an angry Narasimha, Vasantharaja invoked the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi to provide darshan with the Lord displaying his softer form.

Kanakavalli Thaayar is said to have sat on his lap, cooled him down and provided darshan to Vasantharaja, the Devas and the Rishis at this place.

Delighted at the darshan of Lord Narasimha in this form, Vasantharaja requested that this place be named after the asura who provided the king with the opportunity to have a darshan of the Lord. Hence, this place was referred to as ‘Parikala’puram, which in course of time became ‘Parikkal’.

While the original temple was built by Vasantharaja using red bricks, lime and wood, it is believed to have been destroyed during the Mughal invasion. The temple that one sees today is said to have been built by Veera Narasimha of Karnataka using granites. Parikkal Lord Narasimha is said to be the Kula Deivam for the Madhwas of Karnataka.

Pooja Timings

1. Kaala Shanthi Pooja – 08:00 am to 09:00 am
2. Uchchi Kaala Pooja – 11:00 am to 12:00 am
3. Raakkaala Pooja – 07:30 pm to 08:00 pm

Festivals

There are festivals round the year at this temple. On the 5th day of Thai, Lord Narasimha goes on a procession to Pennai River and stays there the night. On Maasi Magam - full moon day- the Lord goes on a 10 km procession to the Kedilam River. On Panguni Uthiram, the Lord is taken on a procession to Orathur Village. Every month on Swathi Nakshatra, there is a special Thirumanjanam in the evening and a Sannidhi procession inside the temple. It is believed to be good to visit the temple on Puratasi Saturday. During the week-end – Saturdays and Sundays, the devotee crowd is huge. Also, Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year days, Krishna Jayanthi and Vaikunda Ekadasi are celebrated with special pujas to the Lord.

S.No	Month	Festivals
1	Chithirai	Bramothsavam 10 days
2	Vaikasi	Narasima Jayanthi, Vaikasi Garuda Seva, Vasantha Uthsavam, Nammalvar Festival
3	Aani	Summer Festival 3 days, Aani Garuda Seva, Adhikesava perumal, Thiruvona Festival
4	Aadi	Andal Thiruadipora Festival(10 days), Gajendra Motcham, Garuda Seva, Jeshtapishekam
5	Avani	Thirupavithrothsavam. Big Temple 7 days, Sri Jayanthi
6	Purattasi	Navarathri Uthsavam 10 days.
7	Iyppasi	Dolothsavam oonjal Festival 3 days. Manavala Mamunigal 10 days. Last Friday Deepavali and Vana Bojanam
8	Karthigai	Karthigai Festival, Festival of light,AnumathJayanthi (Small Hill) ,Thirumangai Alvar Festival 10 days
9	Marghazi	Vaikunta Ekadasi, Pakal Pathu, Rappathu Uthsavam, New year Jan 1, Padi Uthsavam
10	Thai	Andal Thirukalyanam, Western Paarivetai, Giri prathkshanam, Thai Poosam, Float Festival 3 days.
11	Masi	Sri Dhottachariar Annual Birth celebration, Dhavana Uthsavam, Masi Float Festival
12	Panguni	Telugu New Year's day, PanguniUthram, Thirukalyanam in the Big Temple

Offerings

Devotees perform abishek to Lord with oil, milk, curd, green coconut, panchamirtham made of five ingredients, lime, sandal and also offer vastras to Lord Narasimha. They also tonsure here. Also they light Maavilakku, a lamp made of a paste of flour and ghee, perform their ear-boring ceremonies and roll around the prakara known as Angapradakshinam. Some organize feeding to the visiting devotees.

Interesting Facts

An interesting feature at this temple is the presence of two Anjaneya idols in the same Sannidhi. Unlike other temples, Anjaneya gets the 2nd right of Thirumanjanam after Lord Narasimha (in other temples, Thaayar is the one who gets the Thirumanjanam after the Lord).

Significance

This is a Navagraha Dhosam Parighara Stalam. Three kinds of worries for human beings- Debts, Enemies and Diseases - are said to go away if one offers prayers at the Parikkal Narasimha temple.

Those having lost their positions and those awaiting promotions in jobs strongly believe that Lord Narasimha would certainly respond their prayers to regain their status. Devotees include the handicapped, those facing obstacles in marriage, those involved in disputes, affected by magic spells and litigations seeking desired boons.

How to Reach Parikkal Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple

Airport

Nearest Airport is Puducherry or Chennai.

Railways

Passenger train from Villupuram and Vriddachalam stop at Parikkal railway station.

Road

Parikkal is 3 km on the branch road of Villupuram-Ulundurpet road (Tiruchi-Chennai). Bus facilities are available from Villupuram and Ulundurpet. Take the Madras – Villupuram – Ulundurpet – Trichy GST National Highway 21kms after Villupuram, Get down at Kedilam Junction. There are 30 share autos plying between Parikkal and Kedilam Junction- Rs.5 per head. Auto will charge Rs.30-40/- from Kedilam Junction. If travelling by car from Madras/ Villupuram, take a right (towards West) just before Kedilam Cross Road, cross the railway line to reach the temple (about 2kms from the railway line).

Temple Address

Arulmigu Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple,
Parikkal, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu,
India, Pincode – 607204.