Saturday, 16 December 2023

Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple / ஸ்ரீ லக்ஷ்மி நரசிம்மர் கோயில், Ramapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

ஸ்ரீ நரஸிம்ஹ த்யாநம்
ஸிம்ஹே முகே ரௌத்ர ரூபிண்யாம்
அபய ஹஸ்தாங்கித கருணமூர்த்தே
ஸர்வ வ்யாபிதம், லோக ரக்ஷகம்
பாப விமோசந, திரித நிவாரணம்
லக்ஷ்மிகடாஷம், ஸர்வாபீஷ்டம்
அநேகம் தேஹி லட்சுமீ நரஸிம்ஹா
லட்சுமீ நரஸிம்ஹா, லட்சுமீ நரஸிம்ஹா!



The visit to this Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple at Ramapuram, Porur was a part of “Lesser known Vishnu, Shiva, Amman Temples of Chennai Visit”, on 30th October 2022. Since it was a Kanda Sashti day, two Murugan temples are also added in the list. All these temples have long history of Pallavas, Chozhas and  Vijayanagars.

Moolavar  : Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar
Utsavar    : Srinivasa Perumal with Sridevi & Bhudevi
Thayar     : Sri Amirthavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east, without Rajagopuram or entrance arch. A stone Deepa Sthambam with Anjaneyar image is on the Perumal Temple Street side, on the right side of the temple. Stucco image of Lakshmi Narasimhar, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Vishnu, Ramanujar and Saraswati are on the top of the mukha mandapam. A mini Rajagopuram is shown on the top of the mukha mandapam. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s various avatars & Leelas are on the mukha mandapam walls, Ardha mandapam out side walls. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan are in the maha mandapam.

The Maha mandapam pillars has the stucco images of Ashta Lakshmis and Anandha sayana perumal with Sridevi and Brahma are at the entrance top. Nagar and Thumbigai Alwar ( Vinayagar ) are at the entrance of maha mandapam.

Amirthavalli Thayar sannidhi and Anjaneyar Sannidhis are in the ardha mandapam.  Moolavar is very small compared to size of the sanctum sanctorum. Maha Lakshmi is on the left lap of Narasimhar.  Moolavar’s upper hands are holding Conch and Chakra and lower left hand hold Maha Lakshmi and right hand is in abhaya hastam. It is told that Moolavar is wearing 38 Salagrama garland of which 25 are santhana Gopala and rest are Lakshmi Narayana. Santhana Gopala vigraham is under safe custody.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The temple was renovated during recent years retaining the original structure as found in 1979.  

The ardha mandapa pillars are square and octagonal with Vettu Pothyal. A Three tier bricks nagara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The Vimanam is called as Ananda Vimanam. There is only one Lakshmi Narasimhar’s stucco images is on the back side of the 1st thala on the Vimanam kostam.  Stucco bas reliefs of 12 rasis are on the ceiling of the mukha mandapam.







HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is claimed by the temple authorities after consultation with Archaeological Department, that the original temple was built during Narasimha Pallava-II, and the temple is 2000 years old. A Photo of the old temple ( taken in 1979 ) is hung on the maha mandapam wall.

Jeernodharana ashta bandhana maha samprokshanam was conducted on 28th March 1983 ( Panguni Thanthupi Year 1982 – 83 ) after completion of thirupani, which was started on 16th September, 1982, in 1994, on 15th November 2007 and on 05th  March 2020.





LEGENDS
It is believed that Maha Vishnu’s 4th avatar of 10 avatars is the Narasimha avatar. The legend behind this avatar is as follows. In Varaha avatar, Maha Vishnu killed Hiraniyakshan, the brother of Hiranyakashipu. Angered Hiranyakashipu, did a penance of Brahma for many years, to take a revenge on Maha Vishnu. Finally Brahma blessed him with the boon of, not being killed by a anybody created by him, not to be killed in day or night, not to be killed by a man or animal and not to be killed inside or out side. After getting the boon Hiranyakashipu started terrorizing the Devas and chased them away. He started ruling the 3 lokhas. To Devas request Maha Vishnu assured that he will kill Hiranyakashipu at an appropriate time. 

When Hiranyakashipu was in penance, his wife was with  Naradha and Prahlada in her womb had the chance of hearing Sri Hari or Maha Vishnu’s fame. Hiranyakashipu ordered that Narayana’s name, should not be pronounced. At one point, the angered Hiranyakashipu tried to kill his son Prahlada, if Hari didn’t appeared from a pillar. Maha Vishnu took the Narasimha avatar with Lion’s head and human’s body, came out by breaking the pillar. Narasimha took Hiranyakashipu killed him by tearing his stomach with his sharp nails and put his intestine as garland. The blood sprayed on his face gave a ferocious look. All the Devas has got frightened and keep away from Narasimhar. Prahalad went near Narashimhar and worshiped by touching his feet. Still his anger didn’t reduced. Fearing Devas requested Maha Lakshmi to sit on the lap of Narasimhar to reduce the anger. After Maha Lakshmi sat on Narasimhar’s lap, his anger disappeared and blessed Devas and Bhakta Prahlada. 

Santhana Krishna Swamy poojas are conducted to the childless couple for Child boon.  A Santhana Krishna Swamy vigraha is given to the Couples and they have to pray Krishna to be born to them as Child. The Couples will offer butter and honey to Santhana krishna and reciting the mantra, which is given below.

Devakisuta Govinda Vaasudeva Jagatpathe, Dehime Tanayam Krishna Twaamaham Sharanam Gathaha,

Devadeva Jagannatha Gotra Vridhi Karaprabho, Dehime Tanayam Sheegram Ayushmantam Yashashshreenam.

The butter and honey are given back to the couples as Prasad and the above mantra has to be recited 48 days after prayer in their homes.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Oru kala pooja is conducted as per Vaikhanasa agama, and special poojas are conducted on Vaikunda Ekadasi, Rama navami, Krishnar Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, Narasimhar Jayanthi. Amavasya days and Pournami days Utsavar Narasimha Perumal sannidhi procession will be done. Narasimha Perumal will be taken in sannidhi procession on Swati nakshatra day, Thayar on the Pournami days and Anjaneyar on Amavasya days, around 19.00 hrs. Annual festival brahmotsavam will be held in the month Aani.

Devotees also offer coconut shells as a part of thanks giving to Narasimhar for their wishes fulfilled.

Coconuts are offered after the prayer fulfilled 

TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since oru kala Pooja is conducted, the temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.10 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS
 
HOW TO REACH
The Lakshmi Narasimhar temple is on the road side ( back side is without Compound wall ) on Naidu Street after SRM arts and Science College and Eswari Engineering College.
The temple is about 3 KM from Miot Hospital on Poonamallee Road, 600 Meters from Jai Garden Bus Stop on Arcot Road in Valasaravakkam, 2.8 KM from Porur flyover, 7.2 KM from Koyambedu bus terminus and 16.2 KM from Chennai central Railway Station. 
Nearest Railway station is Ashok Nagar Metro station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE











Garuda Thoon or Deepa Sthambam on the road side
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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