Sri Pataladhri Narasimhar Thirukovil / ஶ்ரீ பாடலாத்ரி நரஸிம்ஹர் திருக்கோவில் / அருள்மிகு பாடலாத்ரி நரசிம்மபெருமாள் திருக்கோயில், Singaperumal Kovil, Singaperumal Kovil.

The visit to this Sri Padalathri Narasimhar Temple also called Singaperumal Koil, was a part of the Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples visit at Singaperumal Koil, Kolathur ( Appur, Vembakkam ), Mettu Pudupakkam and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, on 24^th October 2021. This is an 8th-century Pallava-period Rock cut cave Temple. Since this rocky hill is red in color, Perumal is called Padalathri. This place derived its name from the shrine of Narasimha Swamy ( Nara – Man, Simha – Lion ) as Singaperumal Koil.

Moolavar  : Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar

Thayar     : Sri Ahobilavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram and a 4 Pillar mandapam. Deepa sthambam, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam / kodimaram and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s 10 avatars are on the top of the east wall. Sorga vassal with a Mandapam and Stucco image of Narasimhar is also on the East wall.  The presiding deity of this temple is Sri Narasimha Swamy. Utsavar is called Prahaladavaradhan with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha with Vishwaksena are in a small shrine near Sanctum Sanctorum. Alwars, Ramanujar, Manavala mamuni are in the Pillared mandapam. Garuda the Periya Thiruvadi is facing straight after the balipeedam and Anjaneyar, Siriya Thiruvadi is in a separate shire at the end of the street.

Since Sanctum Sanctorum is a Rock Cut Cave, circumambulation is done around the hill called “Giri Pardakshinam”. Steps are constructed in necessary places. Tirupati Venkatesa Perumal and Lakshmi Narasimhar are on the circumambulatory path.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple comprises of sanctum sanctorum and an ardha mandapam. Square Pillars and Pilasters with Tharanga pothyal supports the mandapam.  Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is sculptured from the mother rock.  Moolavar is about 8 feet tall in sitting posture with Maha Lakshmi on his Chest, wearing a Saligrama mala.  Moolavar is with 4 hands. The upper hand holds Changu / Conch and Chakra and lower right hand is in Abhaya hastam and the left hand is on his hip. The right leg is folded on the pedestal and the left leg is touching the ground. The Urchavar is Prahalatha Varadar along with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There is a third eye like Lord Shiva carved on the forehead, which is usually covered by the Thiruman. During Arathi Bhattar lifts the thiruman and shows the third eye.

Thayar Maha Lakshmi, in this temple, as Ahobilavalli is in a Sanctum similar to Ahobilam, on the right side of the Moolavar, and the Andal sanctum is on the left. Both are constructed with stone and face East. A circumambulatory path is provided to do pradakshina around these two sanctums.

Even though the Sanctum Sanctorum was excavated as a Rockcut Cave, structures like Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Alankara  Mandapam, 16-pillared Mandapam, etc, were added. Latter.  

Vimanams were constructed above the sanctum sanctorums on the rock. The  2-tier Nagara style vimanam of Moolavar is called "Sri Pranava Koti Vimanam". The Sthala Viruksham of this temple is "Parijatham". The Theertham is called "Suththa Pushkarani". Ankobilavalli Thayar and Andal sannidhi vimanas are of single tier/Eka thala Vesara style.

Makara thorana of Andal sannidhi

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The rock-cut cave was scooped during the reign of Pallava King Mahendravarman, in the 8^th Century.  The temple covers an area of 2 acres. Chozha period inscriptions and later period inscriptions are found in this temple. The earliest inscription found in this temple belongs to the Chozha King Rajaraja-I (985 – 1014 CE). As per the inscriptions, This temple was called Narasinga Vinnagar Perumal was called Aazhwar Narasinga Vinnagar Devar and this Singaperumal Koil was Called Chengundram.

Rajaraja-I’s 990 CE inscription records an endowment of maintenance of this temple by a person called Senda Kutti, for which 26 sheep were gifted to Azhvar Narasinga Vinnagara Devar.

Rajaraja-I’s 993 CE inscription records the registration of Gift of Land to this temple by a person called Ayyaran Nakkan for burning of two Lamps and Naivedayam to Narasinga Vinnagar Azhvar

Another inscription of the same King ( 993 CE ), behind the Andal Sannidhi is found damaged and incomplete. It refers some gift made by an individual to God Narasinga Vinnagara Azhwar of Chengundram.

A much-damaged, 11th-century inscription was found on the lower portion of a Pillar, and details couldn’t made out clearly. This may also record some endowment by the King or by some individuals.

The 1^st July 1912, ( Parithabi Year Aani 18 ) inscription on the well records that the well was excavated and gifted by Sriman  Nallanchakravarthy Venkatacharya’s disciple Chennapattinam ( Present Chennai ) Uppudoor Perumal Chetty’s son Uppudoor Ramanujam Chetty.

On the 20^th May 1916, the inscription of the 16 Pillar Mandapam records that ThirumalaiLinjumur Veeraraghava Venkatachariyar’s wife had constructed this 16 Pillar Mandapam. In Continuation of the same inscription, it records  the Paving of Cuddaph stone, and the brick structure above the mandapam was constructed by the Chennai Vaisikas. In 1916, This place was Under Chengalpattu District.

On 21^st June 1991,  Jeenotharana Ashtabandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after 1. Rectification of ceilings of all sannidhis and Compound wall, 2. Renovation of Moolavar Vimanam and 3. Ronovation of Thayar sannidhi vimanam. 

On 10^th May 2002, Ashtabandhana maha Samproshanam was conducted. For the same, the following works were carried out. Repair and maintenance of  Moolavar Vimanam, Thayar sannidhi, Anjaneyar sannidhi, Laying of marble flooring in Moolavar and Thayar sannidhi, Maintenance of Lakshmi Narashimhar Sannidhi, Electrical wiring, Thirukalyana Utsavam, Sayanthivasam and Voshbaroopam, Yagasala materials, flowers and Paintings of all Vimana and temple.

The Office building was constructed in the year 2003.

Maha Samprokshanam for Andal sannidhi Vimana was conducted on 10^th February, 2006 after construction.  On 14^th May 2007, Kodimaram /Dwajasthambam was installed and Kumbhabhishekam was conducted for the same.

On 19^th March 2014, Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted by HR & CE.

On 15^th March 2021, Rajagopuram was constructed and maha Samprokshanam was conducted.

The annual income of the temple as per the records of HR & CE is for Fasli 1402 - Rs. 39, 266/-; for Fasli 1403 - Rs.57,972/ - and for Fasli 1404 - Rs.57, 729/-. A Board of three trustees appointed by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department manages the affairs of the temple; one of these is hereditary; of the other two, one is generally from the Vysya Komti Chetty community.

Pillar Inscription 

The inscription mentioned 4 Pillar and 16 Pillar mandapa

The inscription mentioned 4 Pillar and 16 Pillar mandapa

LEGENDS

This is one of the Purana kshethra mentioned in the Brahmanda Purana. During Maha Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar, this place was surrounded by the forest. The Maharishi Jabali did a penance of Maha Vishnu for his darshan. Maha Vishnu took the avatar as Narasimhar (Simha head and Human body) at the request of Bhakta Prahalada. Broke the Pillar, came out and killed Hiranyakashipu, the demon King. With the same avatar, as Ugra Narasimha, gave darshan to Saint Jabali on a pradosam day. Hence it is considered that Pradosham Day is auspicious to have the darshan of Lord Narasimha after Thirumanjanam / sacred bath.   

There is a tree called Angolam alias Azhinjil tree on the circumambulatory path. The specialty of the tree is mention in Andal’s 44^th pasuram as –ஆயரும் அஞ்சிட பூத்த நிலக்கடம்பேரி புகழ் பாய்ந்து. It is believed that this tree is rare and is considered a sacred one. Hence to get the marriage, Child boon and to excel as a genius, Devotees have to take out 2 strands of thread from their dress and tie it to the tree after applying Kungum and Turmeric powder. After this prayer, it is believed that with the grace of God, the wishes will be fulfilled.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular 4 Kala poojas as per Vaikanasa agama, special Poojas are conducted on Chithirai ( April – May ) month Brahmotsavam, Narasimhar Jayanthi, Ramanujar Jayanthi, Jyeshtabhishekam, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Vajraangi Seva to Utsavar and Muthangi Seva to Moolavar and Pavithra Utsavam in the month Aani ( June – July ), Thepotsavam / Float festival in the month Masi ( February – March ) and on minor festivals line, Uthiram, Swati, Ekadasi, Pradosham, Amavasai ( New Moon Day ), Pournami Days. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The Temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

The Devotees are allowed only after the Moring Abhishekam and Poojas, maybe after 09.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Landline number +91 44 2746 4325, may be contacted for further details. Alternatively, the priest V. Gopalakrishna Bhattar +91 93801 14686 / +91 44 2746 4441 may be contacted.

Temple website: https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/index_temple.php?tid=1843

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1 KM off from the Chennai to Trichy GST Road.

The temple is 1 KM from Singaperumal Koil Sub Urban Railway Station, 10 KM from Chengalpattu, 25 KM from Tambaram, 50 KM from Kanchipuram, and  50 KM from Chennai.

The Nearest Railway station is Singaperumal Koil and the Junction is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thulabaram

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---