Temples of Tamilnadu - 107 - Narasimhar Temples near Cuddalore

                                            Narasimha Temples near Cuddalore

Singirikudi Narasimha Swamy temple is one among the three Narasimha temples of this region. The others being Poovarasan Kuppam (15kms North of Panruti) and Parikkal. There is also a temple at Anthili (near Thiru Kovilur), which however does not form a part of this group.

The location of the three Narasimha temples are: 

1. Parikkal (Near Villupuram off the Trichy National Highway)

2. Poovaran Kuppam (off Panruti Highway)

3. Singiri Kudi are in a straight way from West to East. 

It is considered very auspicious to visit these three temples on the same day. Lord Narasimha at Singirikudi faces the West towards the other two Poovarasankuppam and Parikkal. 

Narasimha swamy temple Singirikudi

Timings : 7.30 - 12.00 4.00 - 9.00  Ph : Jayakumar Bhattar (Priest) – 0413 261875

Prahlada worshipped the Lord Narasimha Swamy at Singirikudi. After visiting Thiru Vahindrapuram for worshipping Lord Devanathan, Prahalada is believed to have come Singiri Kudi to worship Ugra Narasimha Swamy here.

Sage Vasishta was liberated from a curse here.

Nimi Chakravarthy, of Surya Dynasty, wanted to perform a Yagna invoking Indra for more powers. Vashishta, the preceptor of the Surya Dynasty, was not too keen on this and backed out. Nimi approached Kousika Maharishi to lead the Yagna who completed the Yagna successfully.
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Sage Vashista angered with Nimi for  performing the Yagna without him and not coming to receive him, cursed that his body and soul should separate. On waking up, Nimi ws unhappy being cursed when asleep, cursed Vasishta Maharishi with a similar state

Nimi felt that having separated his soul from the physical body did not wish to revive his life. He wished to have Darshan of the Lord through the devotees.

Vashista Maharishi sought the help of Brahma for liberation. As directed by him, the Rishi undertook penance at the Krishnaranya Kshetram of Singiri Kudi. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narasimha gave Darshan and liberated him from the curse.

Lakshmi Narasimha, Poovarasan Kuppam 
Timings : 6.00-12.30-4.00-8.00 Phone: 94865 18444, 83000 39408

One of the most foremost shrines of Lakshmi Narasimha, Poovarasan Kuppam, near Villupuram (Tamil Nadu), is also called South Ahobilam. The presiding deity is Lakshmi Narasimha and his consort is Amirthavalli Thayar of Poovarasankuppam.

A 1200 year old temple, Saptharishis got darshan of the Lord along with his consort here. The instant incarnation of Narasimha the human-lion God, answering the prayers of his bhaktha – Prahalada is an unique avatar as it was taken for a sake of a single person. After slaying the king, with anger not reduced, he roamed all over India. The saptharishis prayed for the Lord’s darshan at Dakhshin Pinnakini, at a spot called Poovarasankuppam, Since the intensity of heat emitting from the Lord was unbearable, on their request, His consort sat on the Lord’s lap and looked at him with one eye and the rishis with the other. This act of the Goddess Lakshmi calmed the Lord. 

It is only temple where the Goddess appears in such a pose, looking at the bhakthas and her Lord simultaneously,  believed to be having a conversation with the Lord presenting the bhaktha’s petitions to him

A Pallava king, after embracing embraced Jainism and started destroying Vishnu and Shiva temples. When people protested, they were imprisoned. A sage named Narahari led a movement against the king and was sentenced to death. The sage cursed the king with ‘Brahma hathi dosham’. The king repented his sins and wanted to seek his blessings. While taking a nap beneath a ‘poovarasan tree’, the Lord appeared and advised he would be redeemed of his curse if the sage would bless him at this place. When he woke up from sleep, a leaf from the poovarasan tree dropped on the king. He saw the image of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha on the leaf. At that time  the sage appeared in person to bless him and freed him from the curseThe king constructed a temple for the Lord at Poovarasan Kuppam. Sage Narahari remained at that place and continued his devotion to the Lord

ARULMIGU LAKSHMI NARASIMHA SWAMY TEMPLE,Parikkal 
Timings : 6.00 - 1.00 - 4.00 - 8.00 Phone:  9944238917, 9943073722

This temple built by Vasantharaja of Vriddachalam is one of the four Narasimha temples in the Villupuram region . People will be absolved of  Debts, Enemies and Diseases when prayed here at this Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Parikkal. 

Vasantharaja wanted to build a temple for Lord Narasimha but was  troubled by Parakalasura (said to be a relative of Hiranyakashipu), Vasantharaja undertook a penance here as directed by his Guru and Lord Narasimha is said to have killed the Asura.

Vasantharaja prayed to Goddess Lakshmi to provide darshan with the Lord displaying his softer form, deviating away from his ferocious form. Kanakavalli Thaayar  sat on his lap, cooled him down and provided darshan to Vasantharaja, the Devas and the Rishis. Vasantharaja requested that this place be named after the asura who provided him the opportunity to have a darshan of the Lord.

Hence, this place was referred to as ‘Parikala’puram, which later became ‘Parikkal’. The original temple was built by Vasantharaja using red bricks, lime and wood was  destroyed during the Mughal invasion. The present temple 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. 

Anthili Narasimhar temple
Timings : 7.30 -  6.00  Phone : 94867 89200

Located on the river banks of Thenpennai River is the 1600 year old and  one of the four Narasimha temples in this region, the others being at Parikkal, Poovarasan Kuppam and Singiri and part of the Eight Prominent Narasimha temples in Tamilnadu (others being Namakkal, Sholingur, Singapperumal Koil and Sinthalavadi).

Lord Maha Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar rushed to help Prahalad without calling for his vahanam, Garuda. So also for Gajendra Moksha. Feeling distressed Garuda left Vaikuntam and did penance at Anthili. The Lord pleased gave dharshan his as Lord Narasimha with Mahalakshmi seated on his lap. Garuda was happy as he had missed earlier going with Lord at the time of killing of Hiranyakasibu.

The Lord was requested to remain in this cool form (shantha roopi) and provide darshan to all devotees at this place. Garuda wanted the opportunity now to carry the two of them around this place and is believed to have taken them around Thiru Kovilur, Mugaiyur, Arakandanallur and Paranur, among others. 

Pooja is performed at this temple as per Madhwa Sampradaya. Some of the sculptures inside the temple indicate a Karnataka connection. 

Sri Vyasaraja Theertharu ( Sri Raghavendra Swamy in his previous birth) visited this place and installed an idol of Sri Anjaneya Swamy.  It is said wherever he visits, he will draw the image of Hanuman on a stone using Angaram and the impression became a sculpture.

Note 

After Poovarsankuppam, we had been to Kolanjiapar temple before getting back to Parikal.

On the way back we had been to melmaruvathur and Araikasu amman temple near chennai.