Kattu Azhagiasingar Temple, Srirangam
Kattu Azhagiasingar
Temple is located at a distance of about 1.5km to the east of the superb white
Vellai gopura, the main eastern portal of the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple. The
temple of Kattu Azhagiasingar was the base of Sri Kura Narayana Jeeyar and
later on Sri Pillai Lokacharya. Both these mahacharyas have rendered
inestimable service to Lord Ranganatha and his temple. While Perumal faces East
in all temples, here he is facing West. Pillai Lokacharyar, disciple of Acharya
Sri Ramanuja wrote Sri Vachana Bushanam and other 18 books in this Temple.
The Kattu
Narasimha perumal Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the suburb of Srirangam in Tiruchirappalli, India. It is also known as Azhagiya Singar temple and is
situated at a distance of 1 kilometer from the Srirangam railway station. The
temple predates the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple,
Srirangam and is one of the
oldest temples in the city.
As the
Lord appeared here in the middle of a forest and stayed back to protect the
devotees, he came to be called ‘Kaattu’ Azhagiya Singar. The Utsava murti of
lord Ranganatha, called ‘Namperumal’, visits this temple during Navarathri.
After a special pooja, he blesses the devotees on the golden horse vahana at a
special festival called ‘hunters festival’.
A very
interesting and absorbing episode is enacted. A priest dressed as a hunter
fires the arrow brought by an elephant, another person in the temple
symbolically pierces the ear of a goat. It is believed that this hunter’s drama
used to be performed by Devadasis. The lord, accompanied by his consorts, goes
out in a procession after the hunter’s festival.
Special
pooja is performed to lord Narasimha on his birth star Swathi. Maha Pradosham
is a grand spiritual affair when devotees from far-off places flock to have a
darshan of the lord. Jestabishekam in the month of Aadi is observed.
This temple dates back to a period prior to the Srirangam Ranganatha temple when this Kshetram was referred to as Velli Thirumutham. Only much later, after the construction of the Ranganatha temple, this place came to be called Thiruvarangam.
This temple dates back to a period prior to the Srirangam Ranganatha temple when this Kshetram was referred to as Velli Thirumutham. Only much later, after the construction of the Ranganatha temple, this place came to be called Thiruvarangam.
Legends
Rishi Penance:
This
Kshetram was a forest thousands of years ago, surrounded by the two rivers –
Cauvery in the South and Coleroon in the North, and inhabited only by the
rishis and their families. Time and again, wild animals would attack the
families of the rishis and consume them for a meal.
While
the rishis had the power to burn the animals just by their looks, they would
not forego the fruits of their penance by killing these wild animals. Instead
they undertook a more severe form of penance invoking the blessings of Lord
Narasimha.
Pleased
with their prayers, Lord Narasimha appeared here providing darshan to these
rishis. As per their request, he stayed here with Goddess Lakshmi protecting
the lives of all those who offer their sincere prayers at this place.
Kaatu Azhagiya Singar:
The
place was a jungle in the olden days with elephant menace. Elephants
cannot be killed according to scriptures as it would put people in a circle of
sins. People were struggling for safety. They prayed to Narasimha
building a temple for him. The animals slowly left the place. Hence
the Lord is named Kattuzhagiasingar (handsome jungle God).
Utsava Deity in Srirangam Temple:
Centuries
ago, with this temple being in the midst of a forest and with minimal human
existence, it was considered unsafe and hence the Utsava deity was placed
inside the Koorathaazhvan Sannidhi at the Srirangam Ranganatha temple.
That
tradition has come to stay and today one finds the Utsava deity of Lord
Narasimha not at the Kaattazhagivya Singa Perumal Koil but at the Srirangam
Ranganatha temple.
Old time
residents say that this place was very much like a forest till the early 1970s.
It is only in the last 3 decades that there has been development around the
Kaatazhagiya Singar temple.
History
Near the
temple town of Srirangam, a few kilometres away, there is an old temple
dedicated to Lord Narasimha, called ‘Kaatu Azhagiya Singar’ shrine.
The
presiding deity is Lakshmi Narasimha. The dense jungle made elephants roam
about near the place (where the temple now exists.) In order to prevent the
elephant herd entering that place, Nedumaran also called Vallaba Deva Pandian,
disciple of Periazhwar, (one of the 12 Azhwars) built this temple.
The
temple, believed to be hundreds of years old, was renovated by Veera Pandyan
(Jata Varman Chandra Pandyan - 1297 A.D.). It faces west and is housed in a
sprawling area amidst thick vegetation which resembles a forest. Probably that
is why the lord is called Kaattu (of the forest) Azhagiya Singar.
The
present-day pontiffs belonging to the lineage of Sriranga Narayana Jeeyar visit
this shrine on the concluding day of their Chaturmasya Vrata. It is only from
here that they go out on a ‘patina pravesam’ (tour of the town).
Goddess
Mahalakshmi is seated on the lap of the lord and, hence, he is called ‘Lakshmi
Narasimha’. There is a separate enclosure for Garuda (Mahavishnu’s mode of
transport).
Greatness of Temple
Swati is
the birth star of Perumal. Special Thirumanjanam is
performed. It is believed that Perumal grants the wishes of his
devotees this day.
Thirumanjanam
is performed also at the request of devotees on other days
also. Child boon is sure if one prays to Lord at the Pradosham
time. It is from this temple, Pillai Lokacharyar, disciple of
Acharya Sri Ramanuja wrote Sri Vachana Bushanam and other 18 books.
The Temple
The idol
of Lakshmi Narasimha here is a Swayambu Moorthy and the temple was built and
renovated at later periods of time. No inscriptions are found relating to the
period of construction of the outer walls.
Lord
Narasimha is seen in a seated posture facing the West (towards Srirangam
Ranganatha temple) with Lakshmi to his left. There is a tall vimanam (canopy
atop the sanctum sanctorum). The descendants of Nambi Sukra Rayars and Nayak
rulers constructed several mandapams.
Lord
Lakshmi Narasimha, 8 feet tall in the sanctum Sanctorum has Sri Mahalakshmi on
his left lap embracing her, while his right hand is in assuring form
(Abhayahastha) promising safety to his devotees. Perumal is facing
west against the east facing tradition.
On Vijayadasami day, the 10th day of Navarathri festival, Srirangam Perumal visits this temple and graces in the Maha Mandap from morning to evening. In the evening, He leaves on a horse, shoots an arrow and finally leaves by the South gate to the sanctum sanctorum.
On Vijayadasami day, the 10th day of Navarathri festival, Srirangam Perumal visits this temple and graces in the Maha Mandap from morning to evening. In the evening, He leaves on a horse, shoots an arrow and finally leaves by the South gate to the sanctum sanctorum.
The
Kaattu Azhagiya Singar temple is situated 2 km from Ranganatha temple,
Srirangam. There are lots of town buses plying from Srirangam to this temple.
The Name:
As the
Lord appeared here in the middle of a forest and stayed back to protect the
devotees, he came to be called ‘Kaattu’ Azhagiya Singar.
Utsava deity at the Ranganatha Temple:
Centuries
ago, with this temple being in the midst of a forest and with minimal human
existence, it was considered unsafe and hence the Utsava deity was placed
inside the Koorathaazhvan Sannidhi at the Srirangam Ranganatha temple.
That
tradition has come to stay and today one finds the Utsava idol of Lord
Narasimha not at the Kaattuzhagiya Singa Perumal Koil but at the Srirangam
Ranganatha temple.
Old time
residents say that this place was very much like a forest till the early 1970s.
It is only in the last 3 decades that there has been development around the
Kaattuzhagiya Singar temple.
Namperumal’s visit to Kaattuzhagiya Singar Temple:
Once a
year, on the evening of Vijayadasami day, Namperumal, the Utsava deity of Lord
Ranganatha of Srirangam comes on a street procession to this temple in a
palanquin. Goddess is believed to have undertaken penance at this place and
handed Nam Perumal a bow and an arrow at the end of the 10th day of the
Navarathri festival.
After
Thirumanjam, the event of Lord Namperumal on a Horse Vahanam, striking an arrow
on the Vanni tree to signify the destruction of evil forces and protection of
the devotees, is enacted every year on the Vijayadasami evening at this temple.
Temple Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.15 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
There
are special poojas and Thirumanjanam organized every month on the Swathi
Nakshatram and Pradosham days. Also, Saturday is an auspicious day to visit
this temple.
Narasimha
Jayanti in Vaikasi (May-June), Aani Swathi in June-July, Aadi Jestabishekam in
July-August, Panguni Yugathi in March-April are the four festivals celebrated
in the temple when Thailakappu – an oil mixture for abishek and other
preparations are sent to the temple from Srirangam for Nivedhana to Lord.
Prayers
Srirangam
Kattuzhagiasingar Perumal blesses his devotees praying him at Pradosha time
(4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m) with jobs, child boon, and removal of obstacles in
wedding efforts. While Pradosha time is followed in Shiva temples,
it is significant that this is followed in this Vaishnava temple also. People
perform Thirumanjanam to Perumal and offer Vastras.
Contact
Sri Kattuzhagiasingar
Temple,
Srirangam,
Tiruchi district – 620 006
Phone: +91- 431- 243
2246
Narasimha
Bhattar: 94434 90879 or 0431 2430879
Connectivity
The
temple is near the Tiruchi Srirangam railway station. Bus facilities are
available from Tiruchi Chatiram bus stand. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Srirangam & Nearest Airport is located at Trichy. It’s a 1
minute walk from the Srirangam Railway Station on the Eastern side.
Auto
from Srirangam Ranganatha temple (South/North Entrance) would charge
about Rs. 30 – 40/-
References