Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, Ambasamudram,
Thirunelveli
Lakshmi
Narayana Perumal Temple in Ambasamudram is located on the banks of the Northern
Banks of the River Thamirabarani. This temple is dedicated to the worship of
Lord Vishnu who is in his fierce form with his head having resemblance to a
lion and with his consorts Maha Lakshmi sitting on his lap.
Legends
As per
the legend, some seers who wanted to meet seer Agastya in Podhigai hills were
passing through this town. They got a doubt if Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are
one and the same. In that period, this temple was apparently dedicated to Lord
Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Vishnu and Lakshmi to those seers.
Based on that memory, this temple of Lakshmi Narayana was built.
Lord
killed demon Hiranya at about sunset known as Pradosham time and was too
furious. To restore the Lord to a pleasant mood, a drink made of dry
ginger, jaggery, cardamom, water and lime juice is offered as Nivedhana during
the evening pujas. On the Swati star day devotees offer this to Lord
Narasimha for the same purpose.
The
Temple
The east
facing temple is located at the center of Ambasamudram town. It is located in a
lane near 200 - 300 meters from the famous Agastheeshwarar temple. The temple
is small in size; it does not have tower or flag staff. Although the temple is
supposed to be very old as per the legend, the current structure cannot be
dated more than half a century. Perhaps it could have been renovated multiple
times. Perumal grants a pleasant darshan to his devotees from the sanctum
sanctorum with Mother Mahalakshmi on his lap.
As the
temple was once attached to Lord Shiva, the Vilwa belonging to him continues to
be the sacred tree of the temple. Chakkarathzhwar graces in the front mandapam
with his 16 hands. Behind him is Lord Yoga Narasimha with four hands
holding the discus and is sitting on Adi Sesha, the divine serpent. Lord
Shiva and Lord Brahmma are on both sides. Adhishesha the divine serpent is
above his head. This is a rare form of Lord Narasimha. Lord Hanuman is
found in the maha mandapa.
Sri
Anjali Anjaneya appears with a small Shivalinga on his head. This darshan
is not available in other temples. The idols of Ramanuja, Nammalvar and Vedanta
Desikar are found in the maha mandapa. The front side mandapa has the
sub-shrines of Vishwaksenar and Sudarsana with 16 arms. Garuda is facing the
main shrine.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 6.30 p.m. and 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Vaikasi
annual abishek in May-June; Purattasi Saturdays in September-October and
Vedanta Desikar Utsavam are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
It is
believed that prayer to Lord will develop unity among couples and in family. Those
with a distressed mind and fear of something pray to Chakkarathzhwar on
Thursdays offering garlands of red flowers. Realizing their wishes, devotees
perform Tirumanjanam to Lord and offer vastras. Perumal is the deity for planet
Budha (Mercury) and Mother for Shukra-Venus, hence the temple is the remedial
centre for those facing problems from these two planets.
The
place is known as Budha-Shukra planets remedial centre-Parihara Sthala. Those
facing problems from Mercury pray to Perumal with Tulsi garlands and those from
Venus perform archanas to Mother with kumkum. Devotees also worship Perumal
before sending children to schools praying for their shining in
education. Those facing problems in wedding proposals light ghee
lamps on coconut shells placing it on rice spread on plantain leaves.
Contact
Sri
Lakshmi Narayana Temple,
Ambasamudram
– 627 401
Thirunelveli
District
Mobile: +91 – 94420 64803
Connectivity
Ambasamudram
is 37 Kms from Tenkasi, 12 Kms from Veeravanallur, 47 Kms from Thirunelveli,
206 Kms from Madurai and 143 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Ambasamudram. Nearest Airport is located Madurai and
Thiruvananthapuram. The devotee has to get down at Agastheeshwarar bus stop.
The temple is very near this bus stop.