Mela Mada Veedhi Narasimha Perumal Temple, Thirunelveli

Address

Mela Mada Veedhi,

Thirunelveli district,

Tamil Nadu – 627 001

Mobile: +91 98940 20443 / 95859 58594

Moolavar

Narasimha Perumal

Amman

Mahalakshmi

Introduction

Narasimha Perumal Temple is located in Mela Mada Veethi just behind Nellaiyappar Temple in Thirunelveli Town. Lakshmi Narasimhar generally appears with Mother Mahalakshmi on his left lap and embracing her by the left hand. Here, Mother is seen on the left lap of the Lord with her hands on the shoulders of the Lord holding a lotus looking at the Lord. Urchavar is Srinivasa Perumal. The temple is located in Mela Mada Veedhi behind Thirunelveli Lord Nellaiyappar temple. Buses are available from the old bus stand. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai.

Puranic Significance

All incarnations of Lord Vishnu were to establish Dharma and destroy those against the rule of dharma. Narasimha incarnation is one and unique to protect a boy who bound him tightly with his devotion. The boy Prahaladha’s father Hiranya declared that all his subjects should worship only him and not Lord Narayana as their Lord. His son Prahladha rebelled against his father’s draconian order though he was prepared to respect him as a father but refused to accept him as God. Hiranya used all his powers to bring the son to his terms and did not hesitate to harass him as violently as he could. But the son did not give in. Hiranya relied on his boons that would protect him from death threats by humans, animals and such other powers. He shouted at his son saying “where is your Hari”. Lord Himself was a little worried and spread his powers in everything including dust and grass. When Prahladha showed a pillar where too the Lord would manifest, he broke the pillar only to see the Lord appearing ferociously in a form, a combination of human and a lion, a form that did not include in the boon demand of Hiranya. Lord flew into fury, kept him on the lap and killed him. Mother Mahalakshmi had to be called to sit on his lap to bring the Lord’s temperament to normalcy. Narasimha thus became Lord Lakshmi Narasimha

Beliefs

Devotees place their prayers at the feet of the Lord seeking relief from debt burdens, solutions for property disputes and development of their trades in a touching manner with tears. Their faith is so staunch that they believe that their Lord would respond their prayers and would not let them down. They offer Lime juice with sugar as Nivedhana to Lord. They light a lamp known as Neeranjana Deepam. They take rice, coconut and oil to the temple. Spread the rice on a plate. Break the coconut and pour the oil on the shell and light the lamp. This relieves the devotee from adverse aspects of Mars planet and also expedites weddings delayed due to this planetary problem.

Special Features

The temple built during the 8th century by Pandya kings. According to one story, the idol of Lord Narasimha Perumal was designed and sculpted even before the construction of Lord Nellaiyappar – Mother Gandhimadhi temple by the Pandyas. It is also said that the level of the Moola Linga of Lord Nellaiyappar and of Narasimha Perumal were equal and there was an underground pathway connecting both temples. But in course of time, this temple got buried under the ground. Great Vaishnavite Acharya Koorathazhwar discovered this fact. Lord Sri Narasimha with his boundless energy came out roaring drawn by his devotion power. The temple came into being then through the tireless and devotional efforts of Vaishnavite saints Perarulalar and Thirumangai Azhwar. They rendered many renovations and maintained the temple. Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar generally appears with Mother Mahalakshmi on his left lap and embracing her by the left hand. Here, Mother is seen on the left lap of the Lord with her hands on the shoulders of the Lord holding a lotus looking at the Lord. The other difference is that though the Lord is called Narasimha, He does not have the face of a Lion. Such form of Narasimha is known as Prahaladha Varada, Lord who protected Prahaladha from the cruelties of his demon father Hiranya. It is also the belief of devotees that Perumal in this form would consider their prayers with all sympathy.

Festivals

Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Narasimha Jayanthi, Purattasi Saturdays in September-October, Swati Star days are the festivals of the temples, while special pujas are performed on Pradosham days – 13th day of new moon or full moon fortnights.