Vedasandur Narasimha Perumal Temple, Dindigul

Address

Vedasendhur, Dindigul district,

Tamil Nadu

Moolavar

Narasimha Perumal

Amman

Shri Sridevi Shri Bhudevi

Introduction

Vedasandur Narasimha Perumal Temple; Vedasandur is around 20 Kms north of Dindigul and the temple is well connected with the main town. The temple of Shri Sridevi Shri Bhudevi sametha Shri Narasimha Perumal is located very close to the bus stand. Kodaganaru is flowing Uttaravahini (flowing from south to north, which is a rarity in Peninsular India) nearby. Though the temple is called Narasimha Perumal temple, the Moolavar does not have the lion face

Puranic Significance

As per legend, after destroying Hiranyakasasipu, Narasimha continued in his fiery form. The devas were afraid of going near him. They requested Parameswaran to intercede. Shiva took the form of Sarabeswara and calmed the Perumal. As it is believed to have taken place here, the Perumal is a Shantamurthy and there is a Lingam carved in the Mandapam in front of the Perumal shrine. As per another local legend, some devotees wanted to erect a temple for Lord Narasimha. But they could not decide about the location. The Lord came in their dreams and advised them to construct it on the banks of Kodaganaru where the river flows Uttaravahini. Accordingly, the temple was erected. As the Lord came in their dreams only as a Shantamurthy, despite their resolve to erect a Narasimha Murthy, they installed the peaceful looking Perumal with the two Thayars and only named the temple after Narasimha. Another important shrine here is that of Shri Veeranjaneya. Hanuman’s shrine is facing south. He is in standing position with the right hand almost touching the raised tail where one could see the bell tied at the far end of the tail. He is holding the Sougandhika flower in one hand.

Lord, though worshipped as Narasimha Perumal, He does not have the lion face. The Lord appears in the sanctum sanctorum with His conch and discus and hands ensuring security to his devotees (Abhaya Mudra) and gracing boons (Varadha Mudra). He was too furious when He took the form of Narasimha. The temple is situated on the banks of Kudaganaru. Lord appears in the sanctum sanctorum with His Consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Garudazhwar graces from his place before the sanctum sanctorum. Some Vishnu devotees here were eager to construct a temple for the Lord but could not spot a place. Lord appeared in the dream of one devotee and identified this place on the banks of Kudaganaru. The devotees built the temple installing an idol in the same form He graced them in the dream. However, as their desire was to build a temple for Lord Narasimha, they so named the temple.

Beliefs

Devotes pray for freedom from the fear of death, escape from accidents and longevity and for the removal of obstacles in marriage alliances. Devotees offer Thirumanjanam to the Lord. As nivedhana, they offer tamarind rice (puliyodharai), sweet pudding (sarkarai pongal) and perform special pujas.

Special Features

The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. The shrine of Lord Narasimha here graces from under a Padma (Lotus) designed roofing. Sri Veera Anjaneya graces from a shrine facing south in the corridor holding a Sougandhika flower. The Lord, though called Narasimha Perumal does not have the Lion face. The Lord appears in the sanctum sanctorum with His conch and discus with hands assuring safety to devotees (Abhaya Mudra) and offering boons (Varadha Mudra).