Azhagiya Narashimma Perumal Temple, Ennayiram
The Chola temple of Narasimha swamy koil is built by
Rajaraja Chola 1 (985 –1014). 8,000 Samanars were lived in this village. Hence
it got the name Ennayiram meaning 8 Thousand. Saint Ramanujar preachings converted
these Jains as Hindus.
This temple was built by Rajaraja Chola and while
excavating a huge inscription of 80+ lines describing the king as
his “Meikeerthi” (various titles and exploits) of a Chola king. The
inscription actually runs to 80 lines, but only lines from 54 to 80 are
unearthed and lines 1 to 53 are yet to be located.
There are records of a vedapatashala being run here with
270 students, hostel, hospital and doctors with their wage details have been
found. The Tamil poet, Kalamegam, famous for his puns, belonged to Ennayiram.
Ennayiram means 8000.Various explanations are available
for this;
It was the place where 8000 Jains were put to death for
not denouncing Jainism or where 8000 Jains embraced Hinduism. 8000 North
Indians were settled here by Rajendra Chola in this area. The Tamil Iyers
have a sub sect Ashta Sahasram (8000) who is believed to be from this stock.
This temple was built by Rajaraja Chola and Narasimha
Perumal was considered as the family deity of Rajaraja Chola. The Sanctum sanctorum
has the idol of Lord Paramapathavasan and consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The
presiding deity is Lord Azhagiya Narasimhar. The temple also has a shrine for
the six foot high idol of Lord Varahamurthy.
Special pooja is performed in every Tiruvadhirai
Natchathiram day (Darshan timings are 7-11 a.m.; 4-7 p.m.). Sadly, vandalism has
dismembered the two hands of Lord Narashimma which are made of green stone. The
deity has been kept in a corner of the temple for the past 400 years. Hence the
idol is not being worshipped.
Devotees have decided to install a new idol at the cost
of Rs. 60,000-70,000. Saint Ramanuja visited this temple twice. Koorathazhwar also
visited this temple. This temple contains many Tamil inscriptions on the walls
and stairs.
It is surrounded by three Shiva temples namely
Padaleeswarar temple, Brahmmapuriswarar temple at Brahmadesam and Ramanatha Eswarar temple at Esalam. All three
Shiva temples are within two kilometers. All these temples are now under the
control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Inscriptions
An inscription (M.E.R.1918 para 28) of this place dated
A.D.1023, records the interesting fact that the assembly (sabha) of this
village in order to secure success to the king, made certain charities to the
local Vishnu temple of Rajaraja Vinnagar in the village which was also called
Rajaraja Chaturvedhi-mangalam.
The charities made provision for maintaining a Vedic
college and a hostel. It also provided for the recitation of Tiruvaymoli and
for the feeding of twenty-five Srivaishnavas in the Matha attached to the
temple. This inscription would clearly bring out the importance attached to the
Tiruvaymoli which was to be learnt and recited along with the Vedas.
Contact
Sri Rangaramanujam, chief archaka,
Sri Azhagiya Narasinga Perumal Temple,
Ennayiram- 605 651, Villupuram district
Connectivity
Ennayiram is a hamlet 22 km from Villupuram (off the
main road to Gingee via Nemur). Buses No.20 (Pidaripet) and No.21 (Esalam) that
ply from Villupuram halt at Ennayiram.