Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Pazhaya Seevaram – The
Temple
Lakshmi
Narasimhar Temple is located amidst picturesque location in Pazhaya Seevaram
Village. This temple is located on a small hill on the banks of the river
Palar. It is said that 3 rivers namely, Palar (Ksheera Nadhi), Cheyyar (Bahu
Nadhi) and Vegavathi (Saraswathi) merge here to become one and it is called
Triveni Sangamam. It is considered equally sacred as Ganges here. The hill on
which the temple is located is called Padmagiri. There is a Motorable road to
ascend the hill.
The
temple is not located on the hill top. While ascending the hill, one can find
the temple in a few hundred metres itself on the midway. From the temple one
can see the scenic view of the river Palar and the surroundings. The temple is
so good amidst wonderful natural setting and is maintained very well. The
temple is facing towards the east with a grand Rajagopuram. A tall and
beautiful Dhwajasthambham (flag staff) on the outer prakaram adds beauty to the
temple.
The idol
of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha in the Pazhaiya Seevaram Temple with the Goddess
sitting on his left lap is full of grace. Unlike in many temples where he is
worshipped as Ugra Narasimha, he is Santha Swaroopi here, full of
charming beauty. Though the temple is facing east, the Lord in the sanctum is
facing west towards Kanchipuram. The Moolavar's image is gigantic, rising to a
height of over six feet and he is adorned with a five yards by three yards
(pathaaru) dhoti and angavastram.
The
Goddess here has a separate shrine on the southern side of the sanctum and is
called Sri Ahobilavalli Thaayaar. The Goddess is adorned with the traditional
nine yards sari. There is a beautiful and ancient stone mandapam on the
northern side. Sri Aandal shrine is located on the north western side facing
east. There is a beautiful 4 pillared stone mandapam at the eastern side of the
prakaram which is probably used for Urchavams.
The holy
temple tank (pond) is located at the feet of the hillock and can be viewed
while climbing up through steps. Also separate east facing sanctum exists
for Andal, consort of Lord Vishnu at the north western corner. At the south
eastern side corridor there are shrines for Nammaazhvaar, Thirumangai Aazhwar
and Vishnu Chithar (Vaishnavite saints). The hill temple complex is
considerably big.
The
`Madapalli`(place for preparing Prasadam)is believed to be `Suyambu`(appeared
on its own). The temple must have had
been in existence long before the Chola rule as inscriptions belonging to the 9th
century are found here. They speak about grants offered by the kings and the
public. Some consider that this shrine might be still older.
The
inscriptions of the Pallava King Vijaya Nripatunga found at Thiru Mukkoodal
mention this village as 'Siyapuram' ('Siyam' means lion and 'puram' means place
or shrine). It is difficult to make out the significance for the word
'Pazhaiya' or old. Another temple at the village called Thiru
Mukkoodal for Sri Appan Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal on the other side of river Palar is again a
wonderful temple not to be missed.
