Ennayiram Azhagiya Narashimma Perumal Temple, Villupuram

Address

Ennayiram Azhagiya Narashimma Perumal Temple, TN Puram, Ennayiram, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu 605203

Diety

Azhagiya Narashimma Perumal Amman: Sri Mahalakshmi

Introduction

The Azhagiya Narashimma Perumal Temple in Ennayiram village, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Location and Historical Significance:

The Azhagiya Narashimma Perumal Temple is situated in Ennayiram village in the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, India.
The temple is associated with the Chola period and is believed to have been constructed by Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 AD). Lord Narasimha is considered the family deity of Rajaraja Chola.

Puranic Significance:

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Azhagiya Narasimhar (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). The temple also houses a shrine for a six-foot-high idol of Lord Varahamurthy.
Special pujas are performed on every Tiruvadhirai Natchathiram day.
Unfortunately, the original idol of Lord Narashimma, made of green stone, had its two hands dismembered due to vandalism. As a result, the idol has been kept in a corner of the temple for over 400 years and is no longer worshipped. Devotees have decided to install a new idol in its place.
The temple has historical connections with revered saints. Saint Ramanuja visited this temple twice, and Koorathazhwar, another prominent Vaishnavite saint, also visited the temple.
The temple contains numerous Tamil inscriptions on its walls and stairs. It is surrounded by three Shiva temples, namely the Padaleeswarar temple, Brahmmapuriswarar temple at Brahmadesam, and Ramanatha Eswarar temple at Esalam. All three Shiva temples are located within two kilometers of Azhagiya Narashimma Perumal Temple, and all are currently under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Special Features:

The temple is east-facing and includes a balipeedam (sacrificial altar) and an empty mandapam (hall).
The sanctum sanctorum comprises the sanctum, antarala (vestibule), artha mandapam (half hall), Maha mandapam (grand hall), and a Mukka mandapam.
In the sanctum, Lord Azhagiya Lakshmi Narasingar and Mahalakshmi are depicted, with Mahalakshmi seated on the left lap of Lord Narasimha in a thirumana (marriage) posture. In front of Lord Narasimha, Sridevi and Bhudevi are also present, along with Sri Vaikundha Perumal.
The artha mandapam features a depiction of Lakshmi Varaha, with Varahar narrating the Varaha Purana to Mahalakshmi. The face of Varahar is turned to the left in this representation.
Other deities in the temple complex include Chathurbhuja Venugopalan, Ramanujar, and Alwars.
There is no separate sannadhi (shrine) for Thayar (Goddess).
The temple contains Chola period inscriptions on the adhistanam (base) and mandapam, which mainly speak about donations given to the temple. These inscriptions indicate that about 240 acres of land were donated to the temple, though current records show that the temple has only 31 acres. A portion of the temple’s income was deposited with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department, and no direct income reaches the temple.
The temple is currently under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and renovation efforts are ongoing.

The Azhagiya Narashimma Perumal Temple is not only a place of worship but also a site of historical and architectural significance, preserving the cultural heritage of the region.