Yoga Narasimhaswamy - Vedasreni

Om Namo Narayanaya namah

Prathyadishta purathana praharana grama kshanam panijai,
AAvyath threeni jaganthya kunta mahima vaikunta kanteerava,
Yad pradur bhuvana davanthya jatarayadruchikkath vedasam,
Ya kachith sahasa maha sura grahsdhoonapithamayabotth


Kshetram: Vedasreni now known as Velachery
Abode of: Yoga Narasimhar

Important Festivals:
Nrusimha jayanthi

Vedasreni Yoga Narasimha swami Temple is an ancient temple located at Velachery enroute to Tambaram, Chennai. Though it is not sanctified by the Azhwars' hymns, the seventh decade of the Periya Thirumozhi beginning with the poem, `Anganngnalamanja Angoer Aalariyaai', sung in praise of the Lord at Ahobilam, is dedicated to the Lord here, who, according to the temple legend, is worshipped as he gave darshan to Prahlada.


About the temple:
He is seen here as `Yoga Narasimha', with four hands and in a sitting posture facing the western direction, which is rare. The Goddess Amirthbalavalli (the same name with which she is worshipped at Ahobilam) is housed in a separate shrine in the main prakaram (precinct). The utsavar (processional deity) is Bhaktavatsala Perumal flanked by Sridevi and Bhoodevi. But the place gets its name from Lord Vedanarayana Perumal, who is enshrined in the manimandapam of the temple. He is seen standing, facing west with the `Prayoga Chakra' (the holy disc) ready to leave his hand to slay the evil-doer. This is also a rare position. Lord Devanatha in Chettypunnyam at Singaperumalkoil, near Chengalpattu is also in a similar position.

Velachery was also known as Vedanarayanapuram in Tamil and Vedasreni in Sanskrit after this Lord. Another explanation is that sages stayed here and conducted yagnas (rituals) regularly and hence the place was called Vellvicheri (Vellvi in Tamil means yagna), which later became Velacheri. Apart from the presiding deities and Sri Vedanarayana Perumal, Kothandaramar, Andal, Hanumar, Azhwars, Ramanuja and Manavala Mamunigal are also worshipped in the temple.


Located in Chennai

How to get there
Air: 5 kms from Chennai Airport
Rail: 2 kms from Guindy Station
Road: Buses to Tamabram via Velachery from Saidapet

Sri Ugra Narasimha Swamy - Singaperumal Koil

Om Namo Narayanaya namah

Deva karya sidhyartham,
sabha sthambha samudbhavam,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram
namami runa mukthaye.

Kshetram: Singaperumal Koil
Abode of: Ugra Narasimhar

Important Festivals: Brahmotsavam (from June 2), Nrusimha jayanthi,

Singaperumal Koil, is a small town about 45 km to the south of Chennai. It is the abode of Ugra Narasimhaswamy, situated on top of a small hillock.

The Lord's image has been carved out on the hillock itself and hence one who wants to go in circumambulation of the Lord has to do so by going round the hillock itself. The Lord in sitting posture has three eyes, and wears the Salagrama and Sahasranama garlands. The Goddess here is known as Ahobilavalli.

Sthala Puranam:
According to "Brahmanda Puranam" the temple was surrounded by a big forest where Sage Jabali was doing penance praying to the Lord to appear before him. It was the time of Narasimha incarnation and He appeared before the sage as "Ugra Narasimha" after slaying the demon, Hiranyakasipu. The Goddess here, as in Ahobilam, is known as Ahobilavalli and there are separate shrines for the Goddess, Andal, Azhwars and Acharyas. ``Periya Thirumozhi" hymns, starting with "Anganngnalamanja," in praise of the Lord in Ahobilam are recited here also.

The name Singaperumal translates to Lion-god. The idol of Pataladri Narasimha is about 8 ft tall.

The idol is a part of a large boulder (almost a hillock). Hence if one desires to circumbulate the idol (pradakshina), one needs to go round the boulder. This is called Giri-valam in Tamil. Giri is hill/mountain and Valam is going round.

The performance of Arathi is unique here. The priests remove the "Namam" of Narasimhaswamy to reveal a third eye.

Padaladri means Red faced - here Narasimha is an Ugra roopa. Legend has it that he manisfested here at the request of Sage Jabali, after the destruction of Hiranyakashyapu. Since Narasimha here is in a position to destroy evil, it is believed that if one sees the third eye of this god, all misery of life is removed.

One can go around the hillock thice, seven times, nine times or twelve times. On the Prakara are idols of Venkateshwara and Lakshmi-Narasimha swami. There is also a wish-fulfilling tree, the Mandapa and the Bali peetha


Nearby Cities/Towns
Chennai: 45 Kms

How to get there

Rail: One can reach Singaperumal Koil from Chennai which is well connected by rail.
Road: There are regular buses connecting Singaperumal with Chennai and Chengulput.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy - Parikkal

Om Namo Narayanaya namah

Deva karya sidhyartham,
sabha sthambha samudbhavam,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram
namami runa mukthaye..

Kshetram: Parikkal

Abode of: Lakshmi Narasimhar

Sthala Vriksham: Magizham

Important Festivals:
Nrusimha jayanthi , Brahmotsavam month of Chithirai)

Parikkal Narasimha Temple is an ancient temple located at Parikkal village, 23 km from Viluppuram. The place is situated between two rivers, Thenpennai and Garuda. The Lord is also found with His left hand around the Goddess.

Sthala Puranam: According to a legend, Lord Vishnu destroyed a demon known as Parakalasuran here to save his devotees and hence the place came to be known as Parikkal. It is also said that in order to appease the Lord Narasimha, Goddess Lakshmi embraced him and thus Parikkal gained its name. 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.

About the Temple:
Unlike in most of the Narasimha temples, the Utsavar idol here is also that of Narasimha in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side. There is also a small idol of Lakshminarasimha in the sanctum sanctorum besides that of Sudarsana.
There is a separate shrine for the Goddess, Kanagavalli Thayar, on the right side of the temple, and Her Utsava idol is inside the main sanctum sanctorum. To the northwest is the shrine of Anjaneya, where two idols of Bhakta Anjaneya and Veera Anjaneya are worshipped. A pilgrim can offer obeisance to Anjaneya at the entrance while the idols of Vinayaka and the Nagars are found in the main Prakaram. Afterpraying 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 idol, according to some scholars, was installed by Vyasaraja.

The Anjaneya idol, found inside the sanctum sanctorum, was also installed by him and it is one of the 732 idols installed by the saint all over the south. The other, of course, is the idol in the Nallattoor Temple, near Tiruttani.

The shrine is thronged by those who are afflicted by Navagraha Dosha and they light ghee and oil lamps. They spread before the idols 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.

There is an ancient "Deepasthampam" in front of the temple, which faces east. Festivals are held almost every month with the Brahmotsavam taking place in Chithirai, when the float festival is also celebrated. The Lord visits Thenpennai and Garuda rivers for "Theerthavari" in the months of Thai, Masi and Panguni.

Nearby Cities/Towns
Villupuram: 20 Kms
Pondicherry: 32 kms
Cudallore: 15 kms

How to get there
Rail: Parikkal Railway Station is on the Virudhachalam-Viluppuram line.
Road: Buses from Panruti, Ulundurpet and Viluppuram pass through Parikkal.

Poovarasankuppam - Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Om Namo Narayanaya namah

Srimat payonidhi nikethana chakra pane,
Bhogeendra Bhoga mani rajitha punya moorthe,
Yogeesa saswatha saranya Bhabdhi potha,
Lakshmi Nrsimha Mama Dehi Karavalambam.

Kshetram: Poovarasankuppam

Abode of: Lakshmi Narasimhar

Important Festivals:
Nrusimha jayanthi

Daily Poojas timings:Temple is open between 8am - 12.30pm and 4pm-8pm on all days

Monthly poojas and Special poojas: On the day of swathi star every month On the month of Puratasi (between Sept 15th -Oct 15th)

Sri Lakshminarasimha Perumal temple is situated at Poovarasankuppam, a small village about 15kms from Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu, India. The residing deity is Sri Lakshminarasimha Perumal and his consort, Amirthavalli Nayaki Thayar. The Temple is also popularly known as "South Ahobilam".

Sthala Puranam:
Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple in Poovarasankuppam is about 1200 years old. After Hiranya vadha Lord Narasimha whose rage didn’t subside was roaming all over the earth. On the Northern shore of the river South Pennai in South India also known as Dakhshin Pinnakini, the "Saptha Rishi' or Seven rishis prayed to the Lord to have his darshan. The spot were the Lord gave the darshan is called Poovarasankuppam. However, the intensity of the Lord was so much that the rishis couldn’t bear it. They prayed him to cool down and requested his darshan along with his consort Amirthavalli thayar who gracefully obliged. Here the Lord appeared with the Thayar on his lap.

While she partially faces the lord as if in a conversation with him, forwarding the bakthas prayers, she also bestows her blessings with her glance at the bhaktas who visit her temple. This act of the Goddess Lakshmi brought a soothing and tranquil effect on the Lord. To this day, it is only at this temple in the whole world does the Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar appear in such a pose.

There is another legend to this Kshetram. Once a king belonging to the Pallava dynasty embraced Jainism and started destroying Vishnu and Shiva temples. He imprisoned those who protested against him. The king imprisoned those who protested against him. One of the protesters happened to be a sage ‘Narahari’, who was sentenced to death by the king. Due to his action the king was cursed with ‘Brahma hathi dosham’. The curse started having its effect. The king was besieged with problems and difficulties Realizing his folly he repented for his sins and sought the blessings of the sage. On his way to the sage’s abode he rested for a while beneath a ‘poovarasan tree’. The Lord appeared in his dream and declared that he would be redeemed of his curse as the sage would come there to bless him. On waking up a leaf from the poovarasan tree dropped on the king, were he saw the image of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. Overwhelmed with happiness the king knew no bounds when the sage appeared in person to bless him. The king was absolved of the curse. As per the wishes of the sage, the king constructed a temple for the Lord at Poovarasan Kuppam.

Nearby Cities/Towns
Villupuram: 20 Kms
Pondicherry: 32 kms
Cudallore: 15 kms

How to get there

Air: Pondicherry, Chennai
Rail: One can reach Poovarasankuppam from Villupuram, which is well connected by rail.
Road: There are buses/cabs connecting Poovarasankuppam with Villupuram and Cudallore.

ThirukKadigai - Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple

Om Namo Narayanaya namah

Ugram veeram mahaavishnum
jvaalantham sarvathoMukaam
nrisimha beeshanam bathram
mrtyu mrtyum namamyaham



Kshetram: Sholingur
Abode of: Yoga Narasimhar and Yoga Anjaneyar

Sthala Theertam: Amirtha Theertham (Thakkan Kulam)


Important Festivals: Panguni Uthiram, Nrusimha jayanthi, Hanumath Jayanthi.

Utsavams are conducted to Bhakthavatsalar temple which is at the bottom. Sundays of Kaarthigai month is said to be very auspicious were special poojas for Aajaneyar is done.

Sholingapuram is a punya stala famous for the Anjaneya Swami temple and Yoga Narasimhar. It is also known as Cholasingapuram after a Chola King discovered a Shiva lingam and built a temple here. These 2 temples are located on top of 2 hillocks, were Anjaneyar faces Narasimhaswami. The bottom of the hills, were the temples situated is called "Konda Palayam". Konda means Hill and Palayam means a town.

Sthala Puranam:
Once the saptha rishis, who were under going lot of sufferings from two asuras by name "kaalan and keyan" approached Indirathuyman, the King of North Madurai and sought his help. This was at the time when Rama avathar had come to an end. Lord Rama offered Anjaneya his Conch and chakram and asked him to help Indirathuyman. With Anjaneya's help the king annihilated the Asuras and relived the Rishis and bhaktas.

Hanuman had the darshan of Sri Narasimha avathaara who inturn asked him to stay in Sholingur and protect the devotees who visited Lord Narisimha to get his blessings. Since than, Anjaneya has made the small hill his abode as yoga Anjaneya facing Lord Narisimha.

In order to get the blessings of Narasimha Swami, the Saptha Rishis (7 great Rishis) did their tapas is this kshetram. Within 1 Kadigai (half an hour), Narasimhar gave his darshan as "Yoga Narasimhar". From then on this sthalam is also known as "Thirukkadigai".

It is also said that even if one sleeps for 1 Kadigai in this sthalam, he will get Mukthi.

This Kshetra has got a specialty in curing people who have been affected by evil spirits.

The Big Mountain (Periyamalai) is about 500 feet high where Moolavar - Yoga Narasimar is found in Irundha (sitting) kolam facing East.

Yoga Aanjaneyar is found in Chinna malai (small hill) at a height of about 200 feet facing Lord Narasimhar who is residing on top of the periya malai. This is the only sthalam were Anjaneya is found in sitting pose with four hands, holding Sangu and Chakkaram.

The Thaayar of the Sthalam is Sri Amirtha Valli and she is found in a separate sannadhi.

Nearby Cities/Towns
Arakkonam: 26 Kms
Chennai: 120 kms
Vellore: 43 Kms
Kanchipuram: 25 Kms

How to get there from Chennai
Air: The nearest airport is at Chennai.
Rail: One can reach Sholingar from Arakkonam which is well connected by rail.
Road: There are regular buses connecting Sholingur with Arakkonam, Vellore and Kanchipuram. On reaching Arakkonam once can get local buses or cabs to reach Sholingur.

Namakkal Digambara Aanjaneya Swami

Jai Bajrang Bali


asaadhya sadhaka swamin asaadhyam thavakim vadha
ramadootha krupasindho mathkaryam sadhaya prabho


Kshetram: Namakkal
Abode of: Anjaneya and Lakshmi Nrusimha
Sthala Vriksham: Jack Fruit


Important Festivals: Panguni Uthiram, Nrusimha jayanthi, Hanumath Jayanthi

Namakkal is a punya stala famous for the Anjaneya Swami temple and Lakshmi Nrusimha. It is also known as Dakshina Srisailam. It is is also one of the few thrimurthi kshetra where you find Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara in a single shrine. These 2 temples are located in the heart of the town.


Sthala Puranam: Lord Anjaneya the devotee of Lord Rama, While taking bath in the Kantaki River in Nepal had a divine direction to carry the Saleegramam ( arepresentation of Lord Narayana), down South. He was however told not to put the Saleegramam down in the earth. While he was flying Southward carrying the Saligrammam, dusk was settling and it was time for him to offer the evening prayers. He was looking for the pond and found the Kamalaya tank of Namakkal. As he was directed not to keep the Saleegramam stone down in the earth, he requested Sri Devi, to keep the Saleegramam, with her till he could finish his sandhyavandhanam. Mahalakshmi had come down to bhuloga to perform penance in order to mellow down ugra Nrusimha murthy after Hiranya Samharam. As time passed by Mahalakshmi couldn’t hold on to the Saligrammam and had to place it on the ground. Anjaneya returned and tried to pickup the Saleegramam.


Saleegramam's viswaroopam
Before anybody knew what had happened, the Saleegramam started growing big. Anjaneya tried to lift the Saleegramam with the knot of his tail. Alas! The Saleegramam broke and Lord Nrusimha in Ugra form gave dharshan to Anjaneya and Mahalakshmi. Lord said to Anjaneya that the penance of Sri Devi had ended because of the Saleegramam brought by him represented Hari in Ugra Nrusimhaform. That the place will be henceforth been known as 'Namakkal' ('Namagiri' in Sanskrit), since the Saleegramam had turned into a mountain here.


Digambara Anajaneya Temple
Anjaneya is in Digambara temple (with sky as the roof) facing and worshiping Lord Lakshmi Nrusimha and the Saleegramam. The Anjaneya in this kshethra is eighteen feet tall and is having dharshan of the Lord Lakshmi Nrusimha about 250 feet away. The eye of Anjaneya is in straight line with the patha [lotus feet] of Lord Lakshmi Nrusimha. One can witness Anjaneya having the dharshan of Lord's Lotus feet from the Garudalwar sannathi even today. The imprint of the footsteps of Anjaneya Swami is seen in the Kamalalam tank steps.


The Cave Temple
Lord Nrusimha in the main deity of the cave temple. Lord Nrusimha is facing west sitting with his right leg placed to the ground, and His left leg is placed on the right thigh. The sharpness of the 'vajra naka' with which Lord had performed the Hiranya samhara is worth noting. One can find blood stains when looking closely. Sri Jankan is standing on His left and Sri Sanadhan on to His right and telling the Lord about the day to day happenings in the world in His ears. On to his left Siva, and on to His right Brahma trying to mellow down the Lord. This is very rare to see the Trimurthis in one place. This place is also known by the name 'Trimurthi Sthala'. Though Lord is seen in ugra form here He is Lord Lakshmi Nrusimha since it is the place where Sri Devi is also present after her penance.


Nearby Cities
Erode - 48-km Karur - 31-km
Perambulur - 76-km Rasipuram - 27-km
Salem - 48-km Tiruchengodu - 34-km


How to get there from Chennai: The nearest airport is at Trichy. Rail: Namakkal is well connected by rail with the important towns.
One can reach Namakkal by road after getting down at Salem or Trichy. Road: There are regular buses connecting Namakkal with Salem, Trichy, Cuddalore and other important places within and beyond the state. For local transportation taxis, and auto rickshaws are available.