NAMAKKAL@ TIRUVARAIKKAL
Namakkal is a great city with a historic background. This city has been
ruled by many rulers of India and in the year 1996 it got its own identity.
The inscription on the north-western and southern walls of a hoary hill
temple states that, the district was known as *Thiruvaraikkal* in the
ancient times. This sublime city is ruled by Atikula King, Gunasila. Later,
Hoysalas took control over the region and ruled this city till the 14th
century. After the Hoysala rule came the Vijayanagar Empire and ruled this
region till 1565. Then by the year 1623 Madurai Nayaks took over the throne
and worked hard for the development of the city. During their rule Namakkal
met lots of good changes and many forts were built. Then this area was
successively ruled by Muslim Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda, Mysore kings
and then the Marathas.
After independence, on the eve of 25 July, 1996, Namakkal district was
separated from Salem district. It officially started functioning
independently from 1 January 1997. Since then, Namakkal topped as the one
of the best economically stable cities in Tamilnadu.
Anjaneya Temple in Namakkal is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
The temple is a famous place of Namakkal and holds religious and cultural
significance for devotees. The architecture and design of the temple is
remarkable and the sanctum is adorned with a majestic 5-meter-tall statue
of Lord Hanuman. The statue is carved from a stone and is a special sight
for tourists. Other deities like Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana are
also worshiped in the temple complex. The temple celebrates many festivals
with great enthusiasm, including Hanuman Jayanti, which commemorates the
birth of Lord Hanuman, and Ram Navami, which celebrates the birth of Lord
Rama. Visitors to the temple can enjoy the beautiful view of Namakkal city
from inside the temple. The temple's location on a hill adds to its appeal
by offering wonderful views of the surrounding landscape
The history of the temple dates back to the 7th century, when it was built
by the Pandya kings. It is said that Lord Anjaneya brought the Salakrama
Mountain from Nepal and renamed it Namakkal (Where the temple is now today)
on the advice of his guru Narasimha Murthy. It is also believed that the
idol Hanuman was installed in this temple by the famous saint Sri Vyasaraya.
1. The statue of Anjaneya is 5.5 m tall (18 feet)
2. Anjaneya statue is adorned with 10008 Vadamalai.
3. Kollimalai Hill station is the nearest to Namakkal.
The hillock is also referred to as Namagiri, because of its
connections with Hinduism, and in particular with the epic Ramayana. Belief
has it that the hillock was carried by Lord Hanuman. When He was flying
towards the south with a stone that He had found in Nepal, He happened to
see the Kamalalayam tank and decided to have a bath and His morning prayers
here. According to the legend, it was here that Goddess Lakshmi had come
for penance, after Lord Narasimha Swamy slayed King Hiranyakashyap. Hanuman
had asked the goddess to hold the stone until He returned. But as She
placed it on the ground, the stone grew into a hillock (on which the fort
is built) and Lord Narasimha Swamy appeared before them and expressed to
make the place His abode.
The name Namakkal derives from Namagiri, which is the name of
the single rock formation at the center of the town. The rock is enormous -
65 meters high and more than a kilometre in circumference. Over this
massive rock, is a fort, Namakkal Fort. Kongu nadu, a small kingdom who
ruled Namakkal during the 16th century. The rock is enormous 65 metre of
height and more than a km in circumference. The fort over the rock was
built by Thiru Ramachandra Naicker, a small king who ruled Namakkal during
the reign of Thirumalai Nayak of Madurai in the 17th century. The Rock Fort
in Namakkal is a Special feature of the town.
K Rajaram IRS 25824 26824
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Gopala Krishnan <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2024 at 20:05
Subject: [iyer123] LAKSHMI NARASIMHASWAMY TEMPLE NAMAKKAL,
To: <[email protected]>
LAKSHMI NARASIMHASWAMY TEMPLE NAMAKKAL,
NAMAKKAL DISTRICT, TAMILNADU-COMPILED
Dear friends,
I was Sub-divisional officer, Telephones at Namakkal from 1986 to1990 while
Namakkal was a Taluk in Salem District. I had been to the temple many
times. In fact my wife has visited the temple many more times than me.
The temple is a rock cut temple. Namakkal Anjaneyar temple and
Narasimhaswamy temple lays in the same angle so that eyes of Anjaneyar fall
on the feet of Narasimha swamy.
Though a rock cut temple, the temple is very large.
I have read the mathematician late Ramanujam telling, “Namagiri Thayar
comes and gives solution to problems in my dreams”. He was referring
to Namagiri
thayar of Namakkal.
This temple as well as Anjaneyar temple at Namakkal follows Vaishnavite
system of performing poojas. The priests are from Vadakalai sect of Iyengar
community.
Hope a divine reading.
Gopalakrishnan 26-8-2024
1. Introduction
The Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple in Namakkal, a town in Namakkal district
in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god
Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu. The temple is one of the 108 Divya desams
of Vaishnavate tradition.
The temple is an astonishing temple with charismatic architecture. The main
deity of the temple is Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The temple is situated on the Salem - Namakkal - Trichy route and was built
in the Dravidian and Rock-cut architectural styles. The temple is carved
out of the hill and is located at the foothills of the Namakkal Fort
2. Legend (Summarised)
The legend of the temple is associated with Narasimha, an avatar of Hindu
god Vishnu appearing for Lakshmi, his consort, and Hanuman.
As per Hindu legend, Hiranyakashipu, an asura king, was troubling the
celestial deities as he got a boon from Brahma that no human can kill him,
neither could he be killed in morning, noon or night nor in air, water, or
the ground. His son Prahalada was an ardent devotee of Vishnu, garnering
the hate of his father. Hiranyakashipu tried to slay Prahalada at various
times as he did not like Prahalada being more devoted to Vishnu than to
him. But every time he made attempts to kill his son Prahalada, he was
somehow saved by the divine grace of Vishnu.
During the last heated argument between the two, Hiranyakashipu was asking
if Vishnu was present everywhere and went on to break a pillar with his
weapon. Vishnu assumed the avatara of Narasimha and came out of the opening
in the pillar.
Narasimha was a half-human with a lion face and killed Hiranyakashipu
during sunset (evening) time in a doorway, which was neither land nor air
and saved Prahalada from being killed by his father Hiranyakasipu.
Decades passed by, Hanuman (Anjaneyar) was carrying an idol made of
shaligramas came here and requested an ordinary woman to hold them until he
returns after performing Sandhya vandanam. She was Goddess Lakshmi in
disguise. She could not bear the weight and placed the image at this place,
which grew into a mount before Hanuman could return. Lakshmi was doing
penance here to get back to Vishnu, who got separated from him on a
dispute.
Narasimha appeared before both of them and set his abode at this place in
this stone statue. This place where Mahalakshmi got back into the chest of
Vishnu and can be seen even today in the main deity's chest.
Narasimha is worshiped here by Shiva and Brahma who is in the form of
eternal truth and the Supreme god as mentioned in the Yajur Veda.
3 History
Based on the architectural features, historians believe that the temple was
built during the 6th century by the Adiyamans also called Satyaputras as
evident from the inscription mentioning the temple as 'Adiyendra Vishnu
Gruham' or 'The house of Vishnu of the Adiyaman kings'.
One recently discovered inscription not only confirms this but also
mentions the king's name as Gunasila (Dated 500 CE). Historians believe it
is possible that he built the temple during the same period.
4 Architecture
The temple has a pillared hall leading to the sanctum, which has rock-cut
architecture. The sanctum sanctorum is rock-cut and square in shape with a
black background.
This Cave temple is considered as an Architectural Marvell in Rock-cut
Architecture; Dr S Vasanthi states that the sculpture of “Ugra Narasimha”
in the cave was unknown even to the Pallavas and Chalukyas and are a very
rare sculpture among the other sculptures in the Cave.
5 Sanctum
The sanctum has three sculpted cells, two pillars and a veranda in front of
it. The central sanctum sanctorum niche houses the image of Narasimha in
sitting posture, called Asana murti.
The temple complex houses two other sanctums. These sanctums house Namagiri
Tayar and Lakshmi Narayana.
Sages Sanaka, Sanata, Surya, Chandra, Shiva and Brahma are shown worshiping
Lord Narasimha. The idol of Narasimhar is treated as a Yogasana idol with
the Gods under his feet seen to be the Sun and the Moon. It is not called a
Bhogasana as the consorts on either side of him are absent. He has Shiva
and Brahma on his either sides and he is sported with two hands holding the
conch and the chakra.
There is a panel depicting the narrative of Vamana, who takes water from
Mahabali and later grows big as Trivikrama to submerge Bali under his feet
as per the Skanda Purana.
The temple has other sculptural relief on the walls of the temple depicting
Trivikrama, Narasimha slaying Hiranyakashipu and Ananta sayana Vishnu.
The temple tank, Kamalalayam, is located outside the temple. There are
similar rock-cut images in the temple halfway up the Namakkal Fort.
Lord Lakshmi Narashimha Swamy is graced with an amazingly designed golden
crown and golden jewellery to ornament the ear, and garlands.
The deity is seen with four hands holding sudarshana Chakra, white conch,
Aahwana Muthra and one hand resting on his knees. Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi
lives in his right chest.
Furthermore, Narasimha Swamy is seen wearing 'Saligrama Haram' with 108
saligramams and keeping a silver stick which to punish evil powers, quash
the wicked spirit and clear necromancy.
As goddess Maha Lakshmi took penance in this place by chanting 'Om Namo
Narayana’ and the sacred hill was made after she kept the Saligrama on the
land, Lord Narasimha Swamy distinguished the spot as 'Nama Giri’ and called
her as Namagiri Thayar.
For the contribution of goddess Maha Lakshmi to this place, Lord Narasimha
granted her the due priority at this holy site. People are to first worship
the goddess here prior to entering the Arulmigu Narasimha Swamy Sannidhi.
Here, we don't see Goddess Lakshmi seated on the lap of the Lord Narasimha.
Instead, there is her image on a pendant. There are Lord Shiva and Lord
Brahma on either side to pacify Narasimha Swamy who was still in His
ferocious form. The temple is hence called Trimurti Sthalam. The palm of
his right hand has a tint of purple, which the priests indicate as the
bloodstains.
6 Temple pooja timings
Arulmigu Narasimha Swamy Sannathi
07:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:30 PM to 08:00 PM
Arulmigu Nama Giri Thaayar Sannathi
07:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:30 PM to 08:00 PM
Arulmigu Namakkal Anjaneyar Sannathi
06:30 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:30 PM to 09:00 PM
7 Poojas
Four daily rituals are performed in the temple. The temple priests perform
the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple
rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasandhi at 7:00 a.m., Uchikala
poojai at 12:30 p.m., Sayarakshai at 4:30 p.m., and Arthajama Pooja at 7:45
p.m.
Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for the presiding deities.
There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.
8 Visiting time for devotees
The temple is open from 7:00 am – 1:00 pm and 4:30 - 8:00 pm and The Great
Hanuman Temple is open Morning 6.30 am to 1.00 pm. and Evening 4.30 pm to
9.00 pm. on all days except during festive occasions when it has extended
timings.
9 Festivals
Many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which fifteen-day Panguni
Uthiram festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March -
April) when the image of presiding deities are taken around the streets of
the temple, being the most prominent. The sacred marriage of the presiding
deity is also performed during the function.
The annual car festival for the Narasimhaswamy temple is celebrated in
March and April every year (The Tamil month of Panguni) as per the Vaikhanasa
tradition.
Other festivals of the temple include Chittirai Tamil New year, Vaigasi
Visagam, Telugu New Year, Avani Pavitrotsavam, Narasimhar Jayanthi,
Vaikuntha Ekadashi and Thai Pongal during various months of the year.
Navarathiri Urchavam, Karthigai Deepam, Vijayadhasami, Pournami
Pavitrotsavam, Aadi Pooram, Vaigasi Visaagam, Tamil New Year, Sri Krishna
Jayanthi etc. are also celebrated in this temple.
10 Devotees glorified the temple
Though saints have not glorified this temple, Sri Purandarasa (1500 CE), a
Kannada Haridasa, known as the Pithamaha (grandfather) of Carnatic music
had visited this place and glorified the God by composing a Kannada song.
In front of Namagiri Narashimhar, he composed his famous song "Simha
Rupanada Sri Hari, Namagirishane" to this Perumal.
11 Trimoorthy sthalam
Namakkal Sri Namagiri Lakshmi Narasimhaswami Temple is one of the unique
Hindu temples in the country with the specialty of being a 'Thirumurthy
Sthalam' where Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva resides in the same
holy site.
The primary deity of Swamy Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is surrounded by Sanakan
and Sanathanan - the two Brahma Buthras, communicating the happenings in
the globe to the lord, Chandran and Sooryan always fanning the lord in
order to reduce his wrath, Lord Shiva to his right and Lord Brahma to his
left as devotees.
12 Srinivasa Ramanujan
The great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan credited his
mathematical findings to Namagiri Thayar, his family's goddess. According
to Ramanujan, she appeared to him in visions, proposing mathematical
formulas that he would then have to verify. One such event was described by
him as follows: "While asleep, I had an unusual experience. There was a red
screen formed by flowing blood, as it were. I was observing it. Suddenly a
hand began to write on the screen. I became all attention. That hand wrote
a number of elliptic integrals. They stuck to my mind. As soon as I woke
up, I committed them to writing." Furthermore, Ramanujan's mother received
permission from Namagiri Tayar for Ramanujan to go to England in a dream.
Mantra chanted by Ramanujan
Sri Vidya Mantra Ratna Prakatitha Vibhavaa
Sri Subalaapoorna Kaama, sarveshaprathidhaa
Sakala suranuthaa Sarvasaamraajyathaathri
Lakshmi Sri Veda Garba Vidhurathu Madhiyaa
Viswa kalyana bhooma ,Vishwa Kshemaatham Yoga
Vimala Gunavathi Vishnu Vakshathalasya
13 Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari BR (10 December 1878 – 25 December 1972),
popularly known as Rajaji, C.R., or Mootharignar Rajaji, was an Indian
statesman, writer, lawyer, and independence activist. Namagiri Thayar was
the Family goddess for Rajaji and he had immense devotion towards her, He
was so devoted to her that he named his daughter Namagiri Ammal.
14 Other information
In modern times, the Namakkal district administration has identified the
temple as one of the prominent tourist attractions in the district.
Namakkal, also known as Namagiri is popularly regarded as an educational
city, transport city and a poultry city of Tamil Nadu.
Namakkal is the first Asian municipality to have certified with ISO
14001-2004 for its first-class environmental management.
Namakkal is famous for making bodies for lorries. A lot of lorry body
building workshops are there, most of them work round the clock.
15 Administration
The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and
Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
16 Location of the temple.
The temple is just 300 metres from Namakkal bus stand or 200 metres from
Namakkal telephone exchange/Namakkal Government High school in the
Namakkal-Trichy route via Mohanur and Musiri.
Tiruchirappalli to Namakkal Anjeneyar Temple - 86 km
17 Namamkkal Ranganathaswamy temple
Located on the eastern side of the fort and almost behind the Namakkal Sri
Namagiri Lakshmi Narasimhaswami Temple is the notable Sri Ranganathar
Temple. The Ranganathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha (Lord
Vishnu), is found in lying posture also known as 'Karkodaga Sayana' posture
with his sacred head resting south and his holy feet resting towards to the
north.
It is believed that Naga King Karkotaka performed a penance and pleaded to
Lord Vishnu to rest on his body. Therefore, the posture of Sri Ranganathar
here is mentioned as 'Karokotaga Sayanam' posture. As Lord Vishnu is
resting on Karkotaka, it is unique to find that the face of the holy snake
resembles a roaring lion in this temple.
Sri Ranganathar Temple in Namakkal has three individual entrances and the
one in the middle is the main entrance that is open to devotees on a daily
basis. The other entrances are closed throughout the year except the day of
Vaikuntha Ekadashi.
18 Namakkal Fort
A 17th century fort located on the crown of the Namagiri hill is made of an
individual rock, that is standing tall at 246 ft. The historic fort houses
two religious sites, a mosque and a Narasimha Murthy temple. Constructed by
the rulers of the Madurai Nayak dynasty, the Namakkal fort is comprised
with intricately carved monumental blocks of the same rock as the hill and
attached to the rock by a bonding mixture. Kamalalayam tank, situated at
the foothills, is generally linked to the majestic structure.
At present, the Namakkal fort is maintained by the Archaeological
Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
19 Temple address and Contact Details:
Arulmigu Narasimha Swamy Temple
Namakkal - 637001, Tamil Nadu
Phone Number: 04286-233999
20 Legend of Namakkal Hillock
The Anjaneyar temple, Namakkal Fort and Narasimha Swamy temple are all
connected by a single legend. People believe that the hillock that the
temple is located at was a Salagrama(a stone form of Lord Vishnu) that Lord
Hanuman found in Nepal. On the way back to Sri Lanka, He descended towards
Namakkal to have a bath and His morning prayers near Kamalalayam
tank(located at the centre of Namakkal).
He was wondering where to place the stone, and He saw Goddess Lakshmi
nearby. Hanuman then asked the goddess to hold it until he returned from
His prayers. However, she warned that if He doesn't come in time, she may
just place the stone on the ground.
When He returned He found that the stone had already been placed on the
ground. He tries moving it, but it only grows heavier and larger with His
effort, until finally becoming into a hillock. Narasimha Swamy then appears
before both of them(Lakshmi and Anjaneya) and expresses to make the hillock
His abode. This hillock is today called Namagiri and there lies the
rock-cut temple of Narasimha Swamy.
My note- It is a repetition of legend, but I felt it is better to add this
point again.
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