After
visiting the Nadaivavi, Mandapam of Ayyangarkulam, on the way to Chennai
visited the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, at Palayaseevaram, on 1st
May 2024. This temple is on a small Hill / Kundru, on the north banks of River
Palar.
Moolavar : Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar
Thayar : Sri Ahobila Valli Thayar
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple is facing west with a 3 tier Rajagopuram on the east side. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are in front of the temple. Garudam is little big in the ardha
mandapam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of antarala. Utsavars are in the
ardha mandapam. Moolavar Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is in sitting posture with
Abhaya and Alingna hastam. Maha Lakshmi is sitting on the left lap of Sri
Narasimhar. Utsavars Sri Maha Vishnu is with Sridevi & Bhudevi, Maha
Lakshmi and Andal are in front of Moolavar. Utsava murtis are also in the ardha
mandapam. No images are in the koshtam.
In
the praharam Viswaksenar, Nammalvar, Poigai alwar, Thirupapanalwar, Thirumangai
alwar, Ramanujar, Vishnu Siddhar, Andal and Vedanda Desikar
Thayar
Ahobila Valli is in a separate sannidhi facing east, on the east side entrance.
Thayar is in sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam.
ARCHITECTURE
A
4 pillar Mandapam is in front of the temple and also there is another 4 pillar
mandapam after the Rajagopuram.
The
temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum ( in rectangle shape ), antarala, ardha
mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam with kapota
bandham and Yazhivari.
The
bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Vishnukantha pilasters with square
bases, kalasam, kudam, palakai, and Vettu pothiyal. The koshta half pilasters are vrudha pilasters. The prastaram consists of valapi with Bhutavari, kapotam
with nasi kudus and Viyyalavari. The super structure above the bhumidesam is of
ekatala salakara vimanam with 5 kalasas. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s
Dasavatara and various forms are on the Parapet wall, Greeva koshtam, and
Nasikudus. The Vimanam is called as ananda Vimanam.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
Original Temple belongs to the Chozha period and inscriptions are found on the wall
and adhistanam. As per the Chozha period inscriptions this place was called Seeyapuram, this temple was called Rajendra Vinnagar and Perumal was called Singapiranalwar.
The
Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 10th reign year ( 1080 – 1 CE ) inscription is
the earliest. This inscription records the gift of lands at Variyambakkam, to
this Seeyapuram Rajendra Chozha Vinnagar Singapiranalwar.
A
person called Sethirayan, re-established this temple and the Moolavar. To
continue the worship land was gifted to this temple as Vaikasana Kaani. This
was represented by an official, called Arulala Perumal alias Vikrama Chozha
Brahmaryan and the right was issued by King Konerimai Kondan. During that
time this temple was called Thirumaliruncholai and this place was called Seeyappuram alias Thiribhuvana veera Chaturvedi Mangalam”.
A
land was gifted to this temple for the 7 musicians, who played music during
Thirupali ( time of offering Naivedyam ).
An
Eri variyam was established to monitor the eri.
The
1204 CE inscription records the gift of land for conducting the Puratasi
Thiruvizha.
The
1729 CE, Vijayanagara period inscription records the name of Narasimhar as
“Jeeyapura Lakshmi Narasimhar”.
Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 02nd December 2022.
An
inscription in English and Tamil ( on the right side of Rajagopuram – inner side
) records the Trustee's names from 1765 CE to 1979 CE.
Ref:
Tholliyal
Nokkil Kanchipuram mavattam by S Krishnamurthy.
LEGENDS
Lakshmi
Narasimhar legend is associated with Bhakta Prahalath's story. After killing Hiranyakasibu,
Narasimhar was very ferocious. To make Narasimhar calm, Maha Lakshmi was asked to sit on the lap of Narasimhar. After Maha Lakshmi, sat Narasimhar became calm.
Hence Narasimhar is called as Lakshmi Narasimhar.
As
per the legend, Padmagiri Mahatmiyam, in chapter 17 of Brahmaanda Purana speaks
about Vishnu Siddhar, an ardent devotee, desirous of Maha Vishnu’s Darshan.
When approached Mareecha Muni, the Muni guided Vishnu Siddhar to this place Padmagiri,
where Maha Vishnu is in the form of Lakshmi Narasimhar. Mareecha Muni also said
that Athri Maharishi did penance and got the darshan of Maha Vishnu in
the form of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha at
this place. Athiri Maharishi requested Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar to stay in the
Padmagiri itself. At Athri Maharishi’s request, Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar stayed
on the hill Padmagiri to bless the devotees.
As
per another legend, Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal Moolavar was damaged during the Muslim invasion and a Perumal Murti was shifted from Palayaseevaram. Hence
Every year, The Varadaraja Perumal Utsavar will come to Palayaseevaram on the
next day of Thai Pongal and stay at the Hilltop mandapam. After that, the
Utsavar will join the Parivettai Utsavam at Thorumukkoodal.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted throughout the year and the
most important are Narasimhaar Jayanthi in Vaikasi ( May June ), Kanchipuram
Varadaraja Perumal’s Visit on Mattupongal Day ( January ), Parrivettai, etc,
A land was gifted to this temple for the 7 musicians, who played music during Thirupali (the time of offering Naivedyam ). The Video of the Music playing during morning pooja...
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs. to 11.30 hrs. and 16.00 hrs. to
19.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
temple may be contacted on the mobile number +91 9444569550 for further
details.
HOW
TO REACH
The
temple at Palayaseevaram is on the Kanchipuram to Chengalpattu Road, 6 KM after
Walajabad.
The
temple is about 6 KM from Walajabad, 17 KM from Chengalpattu, 21 KM from
Kanchipuram, 38 KM from Tambaram, and 69 KM from Chennai Central.
Nearest
Railway Station is Palaya Seevaram.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
A Mandapam is on the upper level of the Hill with access through Road and 100 and odd steps. Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal Used to Visit Palaseevaram on the Next day of Thai Pongal and stay at the mandapam.
THE MANDAPAM ON THE TOP OF THE HILL
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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