Narasimhar Temple

Overview

The temple is situated at about 55kms from Salem off the Bangalore- Kanyakumari NH 7 is the Narasimha temple at the Saligrama Cave Hill in Namakkal. Opposite the Narasimha temple is the Anjaneya temple where he is seen in a standing posture facing Lord Narasimha. Behind the Narasimha temple on the Eastern side is the Ranganatha temple, where the Lord is seen in a Karkodaya Sayana posture.

About The Temple

The temple is on the western flank of the hill, which has a set of pillared halls leading to the rock-cut sculpted images. The temple has a flat gateway tower and a second entrance also with a flat gateway leading to the pillared halls. The sanctum houses the image of Narasimha in sitting posture, called Asanamurthi with two images under his feet. The sanctum is rock-cut and square in shape with a black background. The sanctum has three sculpted cells, two pillars and a verandah in front of it. The image is treated as a Yogasana image, with the images under his feet seen to be the Sun and the Moon. It is not called a Bhogasana as the consorts on either side of him are absent. He has Vishnu and Brahma on his either sides and he is sported with two hands holding the conch and the chakra. There is a panel depicting the narrative ofVaraha avatar of Vishnu, who takes water from Bali and later grows big as Trivikrama to submerge Bali under his feet as per the Skanda Purana. Historians consider this as a deviation from the monoscenic sculptures in temples of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. The temple has other sculptural relief on the walls of the temple depicting Trivikrama, Narasimha slaying Hiranyakasipu and Ananta sayana Vishnu. The temple tank, Kamalalayam, is located outside the temple. There are similar rock-cut images in the temple half way up the Namakkal Fort.

About the Deity

The deity, Lord Lakshminarashimha, is seen sitting inside the Cave temple of Saligrama hill on a Rathna Simhasanam (Golden chair with all precious gems) in Veerasa posture facing west direction. Veerasana is one of the Yoga posture, in which body remains stiff and straight and mind remains strong and brave. Lord Lakshminarashimha facing west direction considered as one of the special feature of this temple, which will give devotes immense courage and power.

He is decorated with Karanda Maghudam (Special design of Golden crown), golden earrings, and wildflower garland and sandal paste on his body. He is having four hands with Prayoga Chakram on his top right hand (Chakram which is ready to use) and Pancha Sanyam on top left hand (white conch). His down right hands is with Aahwana Muthra, like inviting devotees with assurance and kept his down left hand on his left Knees. Goddess Mahalskhmi resides on his right chest (Sreevatsa Lakshmi).

He is wearing Saligrama Haram with 108 saligramams and having Velli Pirambhu (Silver stick) which is used to punish demons, nullify the evils sprit and clear black magic. God is sitting after the Hiranya Samharam, but with the same angriness and rude eyes. His golden eyes and brave structure in a dark cave with the lights of ghee lamp might fearsome everybody at the first sight. God Lakshminarashimha is surrounded by Sanakan, Sanathanan, Suryan, Chandran, Brahma and Siva. Sanakan and Sanathanan (sons of Brahma) is always conveying the happenings in the world in a secrete manner. Suryan and Chandran is always doing Chamara Samarpanai (fanning) to reduce his anger. Lord Brahma and Siva came down to Namakkal as Devotees to have Dharsan of Lord Lakshminarashimha. Because of Hiranya samharam, (killed King Hiranya with Gods’ nails), there are some BLOOD STAINS on his right hand palms, which is believed to be the blood of King Hiranya. This is very rare to have a Dharsan of this blood stains on Lord Narashimha hands.

Legend and stories

In Krutha Yuga the two guardians of Sri Vaikuntam on condemnation of Rishies were conceived as savage Hiranya Brothers, Younger Hiranyaksha was executed by Mahavishnu in the Avatharam of Varaha, for his destructive deeds on Sri Boomidevi.

The senior Hiranyakasipu concentrated his brain and did genuine Thapas for such a long time. As an aftereffect of his Thapas, he got aids from Brahma Deva, that he will never meet the demise by individuals, creatures, earth and sky, by any instruments all through the houses and so on. At that point Hiranya, on the Power of the shelters, gave many inconveniences to Rishies and Devas and constrained them to supplicate them as "Hiranyaya Nama" just; and requested that there is no other god to ask with the exception of him. As all feared Hiranya, no Yagas and Deva Poojas were finished. At that point, stressed Devas and Rishies with Brahma, implored Lord Sri Narayana to get help from Hiranya.

In this manner Sri Mahavishnu, resolved to execute Hiranya and favored them. Hiranya had a child named Prahaladha. He was actually exceptionally devout to Lord Mahavishnu. So he declined to say "Hiranyaya Nama" yet he just supplicated "Om Namo Narayana" Hiranya attempted to change Prahaladha to ask his name instead of Lord Vishnu, in such a variety of ways by and by and through Gurns, yet it demonstrated futile Prahaladha never said "Hiranyaya Nama" however he asked intrepidly "Om Namo Narayana" with the organization of different young men.

This made extraordinary indignation to Hiranya on Prahaladha and resolved to execute him. He requested his fighters to slaughter Prahaladha by elephants, cobra, and by giving toxin, however all were waste. His Vishnu Bhakthi spared him from these threats.

Hiranya asked Prahaladha with extraordinary annoyance "Who is your God? Where is He and show Him?", On the conviction of God, Prahaladha answered gladly and valiantly "Father tune in! Maha Vishnu Is The Only God and He is the Omnipresence and eternito-you can't devastate him", He is all over the place in you and me too. Hiranya with incredible displeasure, demonstrated a column and cried "Is your God in this column?" "Positively" here additionally answered Prahaladha with conviction. When Hiranya heard the words from Prahaladha he kicked the column loaded with displeasure.

Quickly he heard an incredible thunder and the column were fluttered into two parts. Lord Sri Narasimha turned out from the column with thundering, Hiranyakasipu astounded on seeing Lord Narasimha and flabbergasted himself concerning what form of this animal, no man, no creature, with lion head and human body with an unfeeling appearance.

At that point, the battle started amongst Hiranya and Sri Narasimha. Finally Sri Narasimha dragged Hiranya towards the passageway of the royal residence and set him on his thighs and torn Hiranya's mid-section by his nails, at the season of nightfall thusly, Hiranya was slaughtered by Sri Narasimha. All Devas were reluctant to approach Sri Narasimhaswamy, in that dour state of mind thus likewise Sri Mahalakshmi. Baktha Prahaladha supplicated Sri Narasimha who favoured him with kindness and vanished in the form of a Saligramam close to Prahaladha's Kingdom ( Ruling Place ) Prahaladha revered the Saligramam ever. (where Sri Narasimha vanished )

In Threthayuga at the time of Ramayana Sri Hanuman spared Sri Rama and others with Sanjeevi a herb which was brought from Himalayas by him. At that point Hanuman supplanted it in the Himalayas. On his arrival through the Sky Sri Hanuman got the Saligramam which Sri Narasimhaswamy vanished. Meanwhile the Sun had, risen. Sri Hanuman got down to the earth to perform Santhayavanthanam in light of the fact that he was an extraordinary sage and lone wolf. That is tha spot of Sri Mahalakshmi's Tapavanam with a major sacred tank named Kamalalayam where Sri Mahalakshmi was conceived Sri Hanuman resolved to do his morning duties.Therefore he put the Saligramam close to the tank of Kamalalayam and performed Santha-Vanthanam.

After he had made his obligations Hanuman attempted to lift the Saligramam. Be that as it may, he couldn't move it effectively; which was brought by him. This confounded Sri Hanuman and he venerated the God. At that point the Saligramam developed as a stone a voice raised Oh Hanuman I resolved to stay here, I was brought by you. To start with you go to Lanka and recovery Sri Ramachandramurthi. On the off chance that you need to worship me, you will come here after Ramavatharam and supplicate ever before me in Kaliyuga. Accordingly Sri Hanuman is even now at Namakkal Sthalam in the western side of the stone remaining in the outside, venerating before Sri Narasimha Swamy. Here Sri Mahalakshmi's petition made Sri Narasimha quiet. At that point he favoured Sri Mahalakshmi and gave her such a large number of varams. From that time, the name to Mahalakshmi was spread as Sri Namagiri Lakshmi to God Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.

Festivals

1. New year in APRIL (Chithirai)
2. Telugu New Year
3. Vaigasi visaagam (APR – MAY)
4. Aadi - 18 in August
5. Aadi Pooram Sri Namagiri Thayar in swing
6. Aavani pouthira urchavam (September)
7. Sri Narasimmar Jayanthi (September)
8. Sri Krishna Jayanthi (Sep – Oct)
9. All 4 Saturdays in Puratasi (Sep – Oct)4
10. Navarathiri Urchavam (Oct)
11. Vijayadhasami
12. Karthigai Dheepam in December
13. Hanuman Jayanthi in Margali (On fullmoon day in margali moolam star)
14. Special poojas in full month of margali
15. Vaigunda egadasi (Special pooja for lord Aranganathar)
16. Harvest Festival (Pongal) in January
17. Varuda Urchavam in panguni - 15 days has been celebrated in hastham star. on that day 3 chariot will as THIRU VEEDHI ULLA

Significance

The glories of Goddess Sri Namagiri Thayar is spread in all over India up to Himalayas and Cape Comarin. The devotees who visit Namakkal first; they heartly worship Namagiri Thayar and apply their application about diseases want of child, and other wantings. In time their wants are fulfilled by Sri Namagiri Ammal's merc The Devotees perform the Vadamala Abishegam to Sri Hanuman for relief from the Sani and Ragu Grahams.

Nearby Places to Visit

1. Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengodu
2. Arulmigu Achala Deepeswarar Temple, Mohanur
3. Sri Navaladi Karuppuswami temple, Mohanur
4. Arulmigu Balasubramaniaswami Temple, Mohanur
5. Arulmigu Kalyana Prasanna Venkataramanar Temple, Mohanur
6. Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple, Rasipuram
7. Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Rasipuram
8. Yercurd Hills
9. Killyur Falls

Accessibility

Trichy International Airport to is the closest. The nearest railway station is Namakkal Railway Station. The temple is 2 km from the Namakkal bus stop on the Rasipuram road. By bus, Namakkal is about 7hours from Madras.

Temple Address

Arulmigu narasimha Swamy Temple,
Thillaipuram, Namakkal - 637001,
Tamil Nadu, India.