VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple, / Arulmigu Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sholingur / Sholinghur in Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

Saturday, 7 September 2019

Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple, / Arulmigu Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sholingur / Sholinghur in Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

21^st July 2019.

This Yoga Narasimhar Temple is also called Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Sholingur in the Vellore District. This temple was dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Yoga Narasimhar, who came from the pillar to save his Devotee, Bhakta Prahalada. This place was called Chozha Simhapuram, which was corrupted to the present name of Sholingur.

The 5 tier Rajagopuram

This is one of the 108 Diva Desam, mangalasasanam was done by Peyazhwar and Thirumangai Alwar, praised by Ramanujar, Nathamuni and Thirukachi Nambigal. Peyazhwar mentions Vishnu as "Van Poongkadigai Ilankumaran".

பண்டெல்லாம் வேங்கடம் பாற்கடல் வைகுந்தம்,

கொண்டங் குறைவார்க்குக் கோயில்போல்,- வண்டு

வளங்கிளரும் நீள்சோலை வண்பூங் கடிகை,

இளங்குமரன் றன்விண் ணகர்.

… பேயாழ்வார் மூன்றாம் திருவந்தாதி -(2) 61

மிக்கானை மறையாய் விரிந்த விளக்கை என்னுள்

புக்கானை புகழ்சேர் பொலிகின்ற பொன் மலையைத்

தக்கானை கடிகைத் தடங்குன்றின் மிசையிருந்த

அக்காரக் கனியை அடைந்துய்ந்து போனேனே.

…… திருமங்கையாழ்வார் பாசுரம்:

Moolavar : Sri Yoga Narasimhar / Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy

Thayar : Sri Amruthavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

This temple is on a 230-meter-high hill with 1300-odd steps from the foothills. The steps are neatly paved with granite stones and covered with metal sheets to protect the devotees from the scorching Sun. A Stucco image of Anjaneyar is on the side of the main road, and a Yoga Anjaneyar is on the small hill facing Sri Yoga Narasimhar.

A 5-tier Rajagopuram is on the north side, and the sanctum sanctorum was built facing East. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are in front of the temple. Both are installed parallel to Moolavar due to space Limitations.

Thayar Sri Amruthavalli is in a separate temple like sannadhi on the right side of the Moolavar Sri Yoga Narasimhar. Thayar is in a sitting posture with abhaya and vara hastham. The pillars and sanctum are completely covered with brass plates with deity images.

Moolavar is on an elevated level with 9 steps to climb. Sri Yoga Narasimha is in a sitting posture with yogapatti.

Sri Yoga Narasimhar bas-relief

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The ardha mandapa walls and pillars are covered with brass plates. The plates have images of Vishnu’s Dhasavatars and Ashta Lakshmi. The sanctum does not have niches / koshtas. The vimana over the sanctum is called "Hemakoti Vimanam".

Prakara Pillars with capital / pothyal

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:

This temple was believed to have been built between the 6^th and 8^th centuries by Chozhas. (Since the place was called Chozha Simhapuram) The sanctum sanctorum was built on a rock, and no formal architectural elements like upana, adhistana, etc, are not followed. On all three sides, the projections of the mother rock can be seen. The praharam is empty. The pillars are vrutha / cylindrical and supported by simple Pallava / Chozha period-style capitals. Some capitals also have the lotus medallion.

The earliest inscriptions found in the temple belong to the 10^th Century Parantaka Chozha-I. The Karikal Chozha inscription mentions that this place, Thirukkadigai or Sholingur, comes under the region of Kadikai kottam.

14^th and 17^th Century Telugu inscriptions are found in this temple. Vijayanagara period Tamil inscriptions are also found on the east side praharam wall. The Temple might have been reconstructed during the Vijayanagara period. The Temple was renovated in 1588 CE by the ardent devotees Thakkan Reddy and Mudaliandan. The Dwajasthambam was installed on 27^th March 1985.

About 450 years back, Doddacharya of Chozha Simhapuram, who does services to Sri Yoga Narasimhar. Sri Doddacharya was the descendant of Dasarathi ( who is from Chennai – Nazarathpettai, which was originally called Dasarathi Pettai ), nephew of Sri Ramanujar.

The last Kumbabishekam / consecration was performed in Sep 2010.

Vijayanagar Nayaka's period inscriptions

Believed to be Maha Vishnu & Doddacharya

LEGENDS

In Puranas and literature, this place was called “Thirukkadigai” – which means the Narasimhar who gives darshan for 24 minutes (But in actuality nowadays?). It is also believed that one will be liberated from the cycle of birth and death if one stays in this place for about 24 minutes. Hence, this place is called Kadikachalam.

It is believed that Sri Lakshmi, Brahma, Viswamitra, Budhan, and Valmiki worshiped Yoga Narasimhar in this temple. Viswamitra worshiped Sri Narasimhar and obtained the title of Brammarishi.

It is believed that people suffering from psychological problems will get cured after worshiping Lord Yoga Narasimha of this temple.