Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Singirikudi – The Temple

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Singirikudi – The Temple

The Temple is west facing with 5 tiered Rajagopuram (Main Tower) and it has seven Kalasas on top of it. The temple also has a tall flag post, Dwajasthambam. In Narasimha temples, the Lord known for his furious nature, generally graces with Mahalakshmi on his lap. In some places, the Lord graces as Yoga Narasimha calmly being alone. In this temple, Lord Narasimha appears very furiously with 16 hands as at the time of destroying Hiranya. As he killed Hiranya facing west, here too the Lord is facing west.

The Lord’s birth star Swathi is celebrated on a grand scale. This is a Prarthana Sthalam. Here, Lord Narasimha is seen in an angry sitting posture facing the West towards the other two Narasimha temples at Poovarasankuppam and Parikkal. The Narasimhar is in Ugra posture killing the demon Hiranya Kasipu in his lap. Vimanam is Paavana Vimanam. This is the only Narasimha temple in Tamil Nadu where he is seen with 16 hands.

In each one of the sixteen hands either an action or a gesture is shown or a weapon is held in the following manner.

To the right:

1.        Banner, 

2.        Sudarsana Disc set to motion, 

3.        Hand – Dagger, 

4.        Arrow, 

5.        Severing the demon’s head, 

6.        Knife, 

7.        Holding down Hiranyakasipu’s leg, 

8.        Tearing out Hiranyakasipu’s intestines.

To the left:

9.        Holding up a garland of demon’s intestines, 

10.    Conch, 

11.    Shield, 

12.    Bow, 

13.    Mace, 

14.    Severed head,

15.    Pressing down Hiranyakasipu’s head, 

16.    Tearing out Hiranyakasipu’s intestines.

Beneath the presiding deity the following figures are seen;

·        To Lord Narasimha’s left is Nilavati, wife of Hiranya. 

·        To the right Prahaladha, Sukran and Vasishta.

·        Facing north are small figures of Yoga Narasimha and Bala Narasimha.

There are three Narasimha’s in the sanctum namely, Presiding Deity and Yoga Narasimha & Bala Narasimha in small form face the north in the sanctum. This is a rare portrayal of three Narasimha’s in a single Sanctum Sanctorum. It is said that such a form could be seen only in Tamilnadu and Rajasthan. Procession deity Prahladha Varadan graces with consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi in a standing form under the Bhavana Vimana.

Mother is called as Kanakavalli Thaayar. Mother Kanakavalli graces from a separate shrine facing east. During the festival days, special Utsavam is observed for the Mother on a moving plank called Oonjal in the 10 pillar mandapam. There are separate shrines for Thayar and Andal and unusually, they both are facing the opposite direction to that of Lord. There is Brindavan for 4th Peetathipathi of Sri Ahobila Mutt here.

Garuda, Vishwaksenar, the celebrated 12 Alwars, Manavala Mamunigal, Thumbikkai Alwar, Vishnu Durga and Anjaneya grace from their shrines in the corridor-prakara. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. Theerthams associated with this Temple are Jamadagni, Indira, Brugu, Vamana and Garuda Theerthams. In Ahindai Stotra Mala, it is stated that Devanatha Perumal of Thiruvaheendrapuram is manifested here as Narasimha. Thirumangai Alwar states that, it is Sri Narasimha who reveals himself as Devanatha.