Singiri Kudi Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Singiri Kudi, Cuddalore – 605 007 Phone: +91 413 261 8759

Diety

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy AMMAN: Kanakavalli Thaayar

Introduction

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Singirikudi in Cuddalore District of Tamilnadu. Singirikudi Narasimha Swamy temple is one among the four Narasimha temples of this region. The others being Anthili, Poovarasan Kuppam and Parikkal. The Three Narasimha Temples of Parikkal (Near Villupuram off the Trichy National Highway), Poovarasan Kuppam (off the Panruti Highway) and Singiri Kudi are in a straight way from West to East. It is considered very auspicious to visit these three temples on the same day. Lord Narasimha at Singirikudi faces the West towards the other two Narasimha temples at Poovarasankuppam and Parikkal.

Puranic Significance

Sage Vashista got relieved of his curse here: A devotee, Nimi Chakravarthy (King) conducted many yagnas and secured many boons from the Devas. For the welfare of mankind, he wanted to perform Indra Yagna. Thus, the king approached his guru Vasishta and informed him about the yagna and also requested Vasishta to conduct the yagna. Sage expressed his inability to perform the yagna but gave assurance that he would visit him on the following day. So, king got the help of the sage Koushika. After conducting the yagna successfully, he wanted to take rest and retired to his palace. He ordered his guards not to allow anyone to visit him. At this time, sage Vasishta liked to meet the king and asked the guards to allow him into the palace. The guards refused permission. Due to this act, the sage cursed the king to lose his identity and wander in the atmosphere without a body. The king came to know about this and he too cursed the sage likewise. The king felt that it is not proper for a Sage to curse anyone while he is asleep. Thus, the sage and the king were roaming in the atmosphere without a body aimlessly. All sages assembled and wished to perform a yagna to relieve them. The king did not want to assume his normal self instead he wanted to worship God through eyes of mankind. Sage Vasishta approached his father Brahma and sought his guidance. Lord Brahma suggested him to go to the Singirikudi and do tapas. The sage went to Singirikudi and attained salvation through penance. Sage Vashista was liberated from his curse at this place. Prahaladha visit to Singiri Kudi: Subsequent to his visiting Thiru Vahindapuram Divya Desam for a darshan of Lord Devanathan, Prahaladha is believed to have come North to Singiri Kudi to invoke the blessings of Ugra Narasimha. Krishnaranya Kshetram: The ancient name of this place is Krishnaranya Kshetram though people know it popularly as Singar Koil.

Beliefs

Those mentally distressed, facing debt burdens and threats from enemies, obstacle in marriage proposals, affected by adverse planetary effects pray to the Lord in the temple. They also light ghee lamps on Tuesdays and perform Archana with Tulsi leaves. Devotees, on realizing their boons perform Tirumanjanam to Lord and Mother offering Vastras and feed the visitors. Feeding the devotees is the main prayer commitment followed in this temple.

Special Features

This temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha belongs to Chola period, identified as Azhwar of Singavezhkundram (1051 A.D.). There were inscriptions in the temple, informs about the donations offered by Chola Kings and Krishnadevaraya to Lord Narasimha. Markandeya purana describes this holy Kshetra in Narasimha Vana Purana. There is Brindavan for 4th Peetathipathi of Sri Ahobila Mutt here. The Temple is west facing with 5 tiered Rajagopuram . In Narasimha temples, the Lord known for his furious nature, generally graces with Mahalakshmi on his lap. In some places, the Lord graces as Yoga Narasimha calmly being alone. In this temple, Lord Narasimha appears very furiously with 16 hands as at the time of destroying Hiranya. As he killed Hiranya facing west, here too the Lord is facing west. The Lord’s birth star Swathi is celebrated on a grand scale. This is a Prarthana Sthalam. Here, Lord Narasimha is seen in an angry sitting posture facing the West towards the other two Narasimha temples at Poovarasankuppam and Parikkal. The Narasimhar is in Ugra posture killing the demon Hiranya Kasipu in his lap. Vimanam is Paavana Vimanam. This is the only Narasimha temple in Tamil Nadu where he is seen with 16 hands. There are three Narasimha’s in the sanctum namely, Presiding Deity and Yoga Narasimha & Bala Narasimha in small form face the north in the sanctum. This is a rare portrayal of three Narasimha’s in a single Sanctum Sanctorum. It is said that such a form could be seen only in Tamilnadu and Rajasthan. Procession deity Prahladha Varadan graces with consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi in a standing form under the Bhavana Vimana. Mother is called as Kanakavalli Thaayar. Mother Kanakavalli graces from a separate shrine facing east.

Festivals

Ten days Brahmotsavam during Narasimha Jayanthi, 9 days prior to Narasimha Jayanthi on the Swati Star day with car festival in Chithirai (April-May), Brahmmotsavam begins with flag hoisting. Theerthavari is celebrated in Masi Magam (February-March) in Puducherry sea. Pavithra Utsavam is celebrated in Aipasi (October-November). Opening of the Paradise Gate (Sorgavasal) on Vaikunda Ekadasi day (11th day from the new moon) in December-January, Garuda Seva in the evening of the day and Theerthavari on Mattupongal day falling generally on January 15 or the day next in some years, are the festivals celebrated in the temple.