Tamilnadu Tourism: Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Poovarasankuppam, Villupuram

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Poovarasankuppam, Villupuram

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Poovarasankuppam, Villupuram

This temple is referred to as the ‘Dakshina Ahobilam’ Debts and Enemies go away if one visits this temple and offers a 48 day prayer. Located about 18kms North of Panruti and 18kms East of Villupuram is the East Facing Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Poovarasan Kuppam. This is one of the four Narasimha temples around Villupuram (others being Anthili, Parikkal and Singiri – There is also the Sayana Narasimha at Thiru Vathigai).

Both Singiri Narasimha and Parikkal Narasimha which are in a straight line are facing the Poovarasan Kuppam Narasimha. One of the most foremost shrines of Lakshmi Narasimha, Poovarasan Kuppam, near Villupuram (Tamil Nadu), is also called South Ahobilam. The presiding deity is Lakshmi Narasimha and his consort is Amirthavalli Thayar of Poovarasankuppam.

Legends

This temple is approximately 1200 years old. This is a spot where he is said to have given darshan to the seven rishis along with his consort. Lord Narasimhar took an instant incarnation as human-lion God, answering the prayers of his Bhaktha – Prahalada to slay the demon king – Hiranyakasipu. After slaying the king, his anger did not subside and he roamed all over India. On the Northern shore of the river South Pennai in South India known as Dakshina Pinnakini, the “Saptha Rishi’ or Seven rishis prayed to the Lord to have his darshan. It is at a spot called Poovarasankuppam, where he gave darshan to these rishis. However, the rishis could not bear the intensity of heat emitting from the Lord and requested his consort to calm him down.

Goddess Amirthavalli, obliged and sat on the Lord’s lap and looked at him with one eye and the rishis with the other. This act of the Goddess Lakshmi brought a soothing and tranquil effect on the Lord. To this day, it is only at this temple in the whole world does the Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar appear in such a pose. This pose where the Goddess, looks at the bhaktas and her Lord simultaneously is believed to be having a conversation with the Lord presenting the bhaktas petitions to him.

This is how this place got its name, “Poovarasankuppam”. One of the kings of the Pallava dynasty embraced Jainism and started destroying Vishnu and Shiva temples. People were enraged at this act and protested against the demolition of temples. The king imprisoned those who protested against him. ‘Narahari’, a sage who was horrified at the act, spearheaded the movement against the king and was sentenced to death. Furious at the punishment imposed on him, the sage cursed the king with ‘Brahma hathi dosham’.

At this juncture, the king was besieged with problems and difficulties. Finally, he repented for his sins and wanted to get rid of the curse by seeking the blessings of the sage. He went in search of Narahari. While taking a nap beneath a ‘Poovarasan tree’, the Lord appeared in his dream and declared that he would be redeemed of his curse as the sage would come there to bless him. He woke up from sleep but was unable to identify the Lord. Just then a leaf from the Poovarasan tree dropped on the king. He could see the image of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha on the leaf. His happiness knew no bounds when the sage appeared in person to bless him. The king was absolved of the curse. As per the wishes of the sage, the king constructed a temple for the Lord at Poovarasan Kuppam. Narahari stayed there and propitiated the Lord.

Temple

There are stone etchings inside this temple dating back to the 3rd Century AD. Also, there are references to construction during Narasimha Pallava's reign (7th Century AD). There are also inscriptions indicating Krishna Deva Raya’s visit to this temple. This is one of the four Narasimha temples around Villupuram (others being Anthili, Parikkal and Singiri – There is also the Sayana Narasimha at Thiruvathigai).

Both Singiri Narasimha and Parikkal Narasimha which are in a straight line are facing the Poovarasan Kuppam Narasimha. Since this was the first appearance after Hiranya Samharam- the place is also called Dakshina Ahobilam. The darshan was to please the Saptha rishis. The main Sannidhi houses the Lakshmi Narasimhar. There is Garudalwar facing the main Sannithi. The angry lord is being pacified by Lakshmi Devi who is on his left lap and each of them has an arm around the other.

Thaayar’s Posture:

A unique feature at this temple is the posture of Lakshmi. One eye of the Goddess is turned towards the Lord and the other eye is welcoming the devotees. Also, interestingly Lakshmi and Narasimha are seen at the same height at this temple.

The main Sannidhi also houses the Uthsavamoorthi of both Narasimhar and Lakshmi. There is a separate Sannidhi for Lakshmi Devi (Amirthavalli Thayar) at the North east corner.

Pooja Timings

Pooja Timings
Kaala Shanthi Pooja	8.00 A.M. to 9 A.M.
Uchchi Kaala Pooja	11.00 A.M to 12.00 P.M
Raakkaala Pooja	7.30 P.M. to 8 P.M

Worship Timings:

· Morning: 6.00 A.M to 12.30 P.M

· Evening: 4.00 P.M to 8.00 P.M

Only in Margazhi Month:

· Morning: 4.30 A.M to 12.30 P.M

· Evening: 4.00 P.M to 8.00 P.M

Pooja Fees Structure

Pooja Fee Structure
Archanai Ticket	Rs.2.00
Nei Deepam	Rs.3.00
Sahasranamam Archanai	Rs.10.00

Festivals

S.No	Month	Festivals
1	Chithirai	Brahmotsavam 10 days
2	Vaikasi	Narasimma Jayanthi, Vaikasi Garuda Seva, Vasantha Utsavam, Nammaalvar Festival
3	Aani	Summer Festival 3 days. Aani Garuda Seva, Aadhikesava perumal, Thiruvonam Festival
4	Aadi	Andal Thiruvaadipooram Festival(10 days), Gajendra Motcham, Garuda Seva, Jeshtapishekam
5	Avani	Thirupavithrothsavam. Big Temple 7 days, SriJayanthi
6	Purattasi	Navarathri Utsavam 10 days.
7	Iyppasi	Dolothsavam Oonjal Festival 3 days. Manavala Maamunigal 10 days. Last Friday Deepavali & Vana Bojanam
8	Karthigai	Karthigai Festival, Festival of light, AnumathJayanthi (Small Hill) ,Thirumangai Alvar Festival 10 days
9	Margazhi	Vaikunta Ekadasi , Pakal Pathu, Rappathu Utsavam, New year Jan 1, Padi Utsavam
10	Thai	Andal Thirukalyanam, Western Paarivethai, Giri pratakshinam, Thaipoosam, Float Festival 3 days.
11	Masi	Sri Dhottachariar Annual Birth celebration, Dhavana Utsavam, Masi Float Festival
12	Panguni	Telugu New Year's day, Panguni Uthiram, Thirukalyanam in the Big Temple

Annadhanam

Details	Amount
One day Annadhanam for 50 persons	Rs.1000/-
Permanent endowment for one day's Annadhanam Scheme (The Annadhanam will be done on the day of your choice every year )	Rs.15000/-

Contact

Executive Officer

Arulmigu Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple

Poovarasankuppam,

Villupuram-605105

Phone: 9944238917, 9786518444

Connectivity

By Road:

From Villupuram you can take the Panruti road and once you cross the Koliyanur crossing (you can reach this crossing directly from Vikravandi on the Chennai Tanjore road) proceed till you come to the Valavanoor crossing take a right here and proceed for 4 kms to Siruvanthadu ask for Poovarasankuppam it is within a couple of Kms. The road is Motorable. There are also Autos available from Valavanoor and Siruvanthadu. The temple is in the centre of the village and easily found.