Sri Perundevi Nayika Sameta Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple

Overview

The temple of Sri Perundevi Nayika Sameta Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple is located in Injeemedu, also known as Sri Narasimhapuram. Th temple is located on the banks of river Cheyyar (Bahunadhi) 24 km from Vandavasi and 140 km from Chennai . The temple was established by Sixth Jeeyar of Sri Ahobila Matam Sri Shasta Parankusa Yatheendra Mahadesikan. It is understood that several YAGNAS were accomplished in this village for Lord Sriman Narayanan and thus came to be known as Yagamedu (Yagnavedhikai) which over the years came to be known as Injimedu. This is the birth place of two of the Jeeyars of Sri Ahobila Math: the 34th Pontiff Sri Sadagopa Ramanuja Yatheendra Mahadesikan and the 42nd Pontiff Sri SriRanga Sadagopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan.

About The Temple

The Avaniapuram Nava Narasimhar Temple is a famous vaishnava sthala . It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Lord Narasimhar and is located close to Cheyyar in the Vandavasi-Arani course. The temple is said to have been built during the Pallava regime. It has separate shrines for Sholingar Narasimhar, Sri Ranganathar and Varadhraja Perumal. Thus we see all the main pancha divya desa moorthies – Kanchi, Srirangam, Sholingur, Tirumala and Ahobilam.

There is an individual cave like structures in the prahara that include the shrines of Sri Varadaraja Perumal and Perundevi Thayar , Sri Ranganathar in a lying posture but unusually turned completely facing the devotees accompanied by Ranganayaki Thayar. Sholingar Yoga Narasimhar is found in a sitting posture along with Amirdavalli Thayar – an absolute beauty.

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The temple is popularly known s Dakshina Ahobilam. This is because it has shrines for Nava (nine) Narasimhars apart from Shri Venkateshwara, Shri Ranganathar and Shri Varadarajar. It is a little slope with temples at 2 levels and around 200 stages to climb. The steps are painted with vivid painting and the either side of the dividers is marked with Narayana tiru Namam in blue foundation shading includes more magnificence. Steps can be effectively moved by even more seasoned persons moreover. This is a two tier temple on the first passage where moolavar is housed alongside Thayar.

About the Deity

Lord Narashima is in a sitting posture, Mahalakshmi Thayar seated on his left thigh. His left arm is around Thayar and his right hand is in abhaya hastha position. His upper hands are holding the chakra and conch. The place has a distinctiveness of Goddess Lakshmi having a lioness face. On the right half of the prakaram, once can find the sannidhis of Pancha Narashimar seperately, one after the other.. Garudan in a Separate Sannidi. In the wake of climbing approx 100+ stages there is an alternate delightful temple. Lord Venkateswara a Swayambhu moorthy blesses his devotees in a standing posture adorned with chakra and conch. Lord Narasimha is said to have obliged Brigu Maharishi by appearing as deities of five Divya desas.

Legend:

"AVANI means LION in Sanskrit and hence this sacred sthala has got its name AVANIYA PURAM. This hallowed spot was also known as 'AVANI NARAYANA PURAM" way back and over the years it came to be known as Avaniyapuram. In the time of Thretha Yuga Lord Brahma was performing a yaga and around then from the yaga's flame Lord Narasimha appeared before him but without a face. Seeing this Mahalakshmi Thayar said to Narasimhar that how he could offer darshan to the devotees without face and consequently prayed to him to grant her the face of a lion. Pleased by the prayers of Thayar, Lord Narasimha granted her the face of a lion and till date in this Kshetra, Thayar is seen blessing the devotees with a lion face. This day is grandly celebrated once in 60 Years of Sarvadhari Samvathsarm." This Avataara Utsavam was last performed in September 2009.

Rare Facts

There is a huge natural rock formation in the form of a lion with a face, eyes, nose, mane and a raised right paw

Thayar Lakshmi and Garudalwar appear with lion faces

All the chief pancha divya desa moorthies – Kanchi, Srirangam, Sholingur, Tirumala and Ahobilam are seen here

Festivals

During the Tamil month of AANI ninth day of the Tamil calendar Sarvadhari Samvathsaram THAYAR is said to have got the face of a lion. Hence once in 60 years of Sarvadhari Samvathsaram this day is said to be grandly celebrated. On this day 4 sorts of nevedhya prasadam will be offered to lords of this hill temple.

For Mahalakshmi Thayar - Sakkarai Pongal
For Narashimhar - Puliyogarai
For Srinivasa Perumal - Tair sadam
For Yoga Narashimhar -VenPongal

Significance

By merely visiting this kshetram one gets benefited of

* Kalyana Prapthi
* Putra Sowbhagyam
* Runa Vimochanam
* Vyaparam

Accessibility

By Air

Nearest Airport

Chennai
85 KM near.

By Road

Bus

Travel time from Chennai to Cheyyar is around 2.00 hours.

From Koyambedu-Chennai bus stand [CMBT] Buses towards Thiruvannamalai (Route No: 208), Polur (Route No:148) will reach China Kozhyapaloor coot road [China Kozhyaploor ‘X’ roads]. From here autos are obtainable to reach Injimedu Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple.

By Rail

Katpadi Junction is a major railway station 63 KM from Cheyyar