Avaniyapuram Nava Narasimhar Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Address

Avaniyapuram, Thiruvannamalai District,

Tamil Nadu-604503

Mobile: +91 9629540448 / 9941756271

Nava Narasimhar

Location:

Temple Structure:

Built on a small hill with two tiers and approximately 200 steps to climb.
The first tier has temples for Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, Alarmel Mangai Thayar, and Pancha Narasimha.
The second tier includes temples for Lord Venkateshwara, Sholingur Narasimha, Varadaraja Perumal, and Ranganatha Perumal.

Puranic Significance:

Avani means “Lion” in Sanskrit, and the place was originally called Avani Narayana Puram, later changing to Avaniyapuram.
Mahalakshmi’s Lion Face: In Tretha Yuga, Mahalakshmi requested Lord Narasimha’s face, and he granted her a lion face, which is why she is depicted with a lion face in this temple.
Lord Narasimha’s Darshan to Brigu Rishi: Lord Narasimha gave darshan to Brigu Maharishi as five Divya Desa Deities: Tirupathi Balaji, Sholingur Narasimha, Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal, Srirangam Ranganathar, and Ahobilam Nava Narasimhars.

Beliefs:

Thulabharam: Devotees offer sugar, jaggery, or coins equal to the weight of their babies. It is believed that childless couples who perform this ritual will be blessed with children.
Kalyana Prapthi (Marriage), Putra Soubhagyam (Childbirth), Runa Vimochanam (Debt relief), and Vyaparam (Business success) are blessings sought by devotees here.

Special Features:

The temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old.
The steps are decorated with colorful paintings, and the walls are inscribed with the Narayana Tiru Namam.
Rajagopuram (three-tier tower) marks the temple entrance.
The first tier has Lord Narasimha in a sitting posture with Mahalakshmi on his left thigh, both holding the conch and chakra.
Pancha Narasimha is enshrined in the temple, with five different forms of Lord Narasimha.
There is a cave temple with Lord Ranganatha and Lord Varadaraja Perumal.

Divine Darshan:

Lord Narasimha appeared as five forms for Brigu Maharishi, including Tirupathi, Sholingur, Kanchi, Srirangam, and Ahobilam.
Lord Venkateshwara and Alarmel Mangai Thayar are featured in the first and second tiers of the temple.

Festivals:

The Lion Face Day is celebrated once every 60 years during the Sarvadhari Samvathsarm on the 9th day of Aani month.
Naivedhya Prasadam is offered during this special day:
- Sarkarai Pongal for Mahalakshmi.
- Puliyodharai for Lord Narasimha.
- Curd Rice for Lord Srinivasa.
- Ven Pongal for Yoga Narasimha.
Other popular festivals include Sri Jayanthi, Deepavali, Vaikunta Ekadasi, and Lord Venkateswara’s Brahmotsavam (Purattasi month) and Lord Narasimha’s Parivettai Utsavam (Panguni month).