Nanganallur Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple (Navaneetha Krishnan Temple), Chennai

Address

Nanganallur Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple (Navaneetha Krishnan Temple), Nanganallur Chennai district, Phone: +91 44 2224 9881

Diety

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha

Introduction

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Nanganallur, a well known locality in Chennai City in Tamil Nadu. This Temple is also known as Navaneetha Krishnan Temple. This temple is situated on the back side of the Dhanmeeswarar Temple in MMTC Colony. This temple is one of the oldest Narasimha Temples in Chennai Region. The Temple accepts donations only from its member and not from the Public.

Puranic Significance

The temple is built in 1974 – 75 AD, on remnants of a 1500 years Pallava period ruined temple site. As per the ASI, researches have revealed, the small place of Nanganallur had existed even during the 8 th century A.D., It was also chosen by the Pallava monarchs of Kanchipuram as a site for a number of sprawling Vishnu temples. Several artifacts had been excavated that include a beautiful stone image of Lord Narayana, about five and a half feet in height portrayed in a typical Pallava style. An image of Goddess Bhudevi, with a bell, a plate and a lamp are extremely captivating. The metal bell found here with the imposing image of Goddess Bhudevi is a unique one, since the top of the handle contains the images of Sudarsana (the discus of Lord Vishnu) and Panchajanya (His conch) one inlaid within the other. Normally they are found on either side of the top portion of a bell. An inscription in Tamil datable to the 10th century A.D. discovered at this ancient place has the detailed description of the registration of the gifted land for meeting the expenses of lighting two lamps every day. The members of the Krishna Bhakta Jana Sabha took the photos of the recovered articles and idols to conduct the Sthala Puja. Efforts of the Sabha bore fruit when the Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple was constructed and the Ashtabandana Mahasamprokshanam was performed on December 14, 1975. The “Sudarsana Yantram,” which was kept in the Chakrattazhvar shrine at Kancheepuram, was brought to Nanganallur and installed under the Peetam of the idol by Sri Jayendra Saraswathi. Yagasala puja and other rituals preceded the Samprokshanam and the temple was then consecrated. The Sabha also introduced the “Pidi Arisi Thittam” by collecting one handful of rice and one rupee from the public for conducting the daily puja and other rituals. The temple complex slowly took shape with the construction of the Veera Anjaneya shrine through public donations and the Samprokshanam was performed in December 1976. “Koti Archanai” was conducted for Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar from June 19, 1978 and special “Thirumanjanam” with 473 Kalasams was performed to the Lord and his Consort. In course of time, the shrines of Sri RukmaniSathyabhama Sametha Sri Navaneetha Krishnan, Sri Kothandarama, Sri Srinivasa, Sri Andal, Azhwars and Acharyas, including Sri Ramanuja and Sri Vedanta Desika, were established Sri Mukkur Lakshminarasimhachariar was a great source of inspiration for the Sabha members and the Lord was said to have appeared in his dream and told him that the temple existed in the Thretha Yuga and was known then as “Dakshina Deepalaya.” It was here that Sage Jamadhagni, father of Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Narayana, conducted the Narasimha Mahayagnam when the Lord appeared before him and he requested him to stay in the place and bless the devotees.

Special Features

The temple is facing east with 5 tier Rajagopuram with seven Kalasams in the midst of residential area. The Rajagopuram is about 55 feet high and 30 feet wide. The doors of the Rajagopuram contain intricately carved floral designs and images of the Lord’s incarnations. The temple complex covers about 10 ground lands. Dwajastambam, Garudalwar and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Lakshmi Narasimha. The main sanctum, facing east enshrines the imposing image of the Presiding Deity, Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Sanctum. An interesting and rare architectural feature of this sanctum is a circular shaped pillar which resembles a stambha from which Lord Narasimha emerged to protect his child-devotee Prahlada. The shrine housing the image of Sudarsana with Narasimhar at the back is designed like a chariot, circular in shape. The vimana is one of the chief interests about the temple and is known as Veda chakra Vimana. Interestingly, the “prayoga chakra` (the discus held by Lord Narayana just prior to release) of an old Pallava Vishnu image which was earlier excavated here, has been installed in front of the Chakrattazhvar shrine, which has enhanced the traditional grandeur of the temple. This exceptional Vishnu image is properly mounted on a small structure, enabling devotees to actually touch it and pray for their wishes. There is another significant shrine dedicated to Lord Navaneetha Krishnan can be found in the temple premises. Here, the main image holds a ball of butter in his right hand while his left hand holds the conch. It is interesting to note that the shrine for Lord Krishna is octagonal (eight-sided) in shape. The myths and legends associated with the temple reveal that the octagonal design of the temple has a special significance. According to these stories since he was the eighth child of Vasudeva and Devaki, the shrine dedicated to the Lord is octagonal in design. There is also another important shrine dedicated to Lord Srinivasa in the Temple premises. A tall Dwajastambam can be found facing this shrine. This Idol is provided as the gift from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. There is a shrine dedicated to Lord Kothandarama with Sita Devi, Lakshmana and Hanuman in the temple premises. There is an Idol of Hanuman called Bhaktakoti Anjaneya, found opposite to this Shrine located inside a prayer hall. The devotees are permitted to offer and apply butter on the image, while praying for the fulfillment of their wishes. So, the Anjaneyar here is seen always with butter alangaram. There is another shrine of Hanuman located just outside the prayer-hall and facing the shrine of Lord Rama. He is called as Sanjeevi Anjaneya. There is also a separate shrine for Azhwars with exclusive cubicle for each Azhwar in a neat row. There is a beautiful circular chamber of mirrors with a beautiful and unusual gopuram that adds a charming view to the temple. The decorated images of the Lord are Desams are found on the external wall, thus making the chamber really a House of Art. The inner chamber is fitted with strategically placed, large-sized mirrors, which give the viewer a multi-reflection of the images of the deities placed within. SthalaVriksham is Peepal Tree.

Festivals

Sri Rama Navami, Krishnashtami, Vaikunda Ekadashi, Panguni Uthiram, Annakoottustavam, Markazhi Utsavam, Narasimha Jayanthi festival celebrate in a grand manner with the procession of Lord Narasimha on Garudalwar, Thirumanjanam and Thirukalyanam. Special rituals are performed on all Pradosham days for Pradosha Narasimhar. The belief of this temple is that those who visit this temple for consecutive Pradosha Pooja will be given the full blessing of the lord and their wishes will be granted.