Narasimha Perumal Temple, Thirunelveli
Narasimha Perumal Temple is located in
Mela Mada Veethi just behind Nellaiyappar Temple in Thirunelveli Town. Lakshmi
Narasimhar generally appears with Mother Mahalakshmi on his left lap and
embracing her by the left hand. Here, Mother is seen on the left lap of the
Lord with her hands on the shoulders of the Lord holding a lotus looking at the
Lord. Urchavar is Srinivasa Perumal.
Legends
All
incarnations of Lord Vishnu were to establish Dharma and destroy those against
the rule of dharma. Narasimha incarnation is one and unique to protect a boy
who bound him tightly with his devotion. The boy Prahaladha’s father
Hiranya declared that all his subjects should worship only him and not Lord
Narayana as their Lord. His son Prahladha rebelled against his
father’s draconian order though he was prepared to respect him as a father but
refused to accept him as God.
Hiranya
used all his powers to bring the son to his terms and did not hesitate to
harass him as violently as he could. But the son did not give in. Hiranya
relied on his boons that would protect him from death threats by humans,
animals and such other powers. He shouted at his son saying “where
is your Hari”. Lord Himself was a little worried and spread his powers in
everything including dust and grass.
When
Prahladha showed a pillar where too the Lord would manifest, he broke the
pillar only to see the Lord appearing ferociously in a form, a combination of human
and a lion, a form that did not include in the boon demand of Hiranya. Lord
flew into fury, kept him on the lap and killed him. Mother Mahalakshmi had
to be called to sit on his lap to bring the Lord’s temperament to
normalcy. Narasimha thus became Lord Lakshmi Narasimha.
The
Temple
The
antiquity of the temple dates back to 1300 years built during the 8th
century by Pandya kings. According to one story, the idol of Lord
Narasimha Perumal was designed and sculpted even before the construction of
Lord Nellaiyappar - Mother Gandhimadhi temple by the Pandyas. It is also
said that the level of the Moola Linga of Lord Nellaiyappar and of Narasimha
Perumal were equal and there was an underground pathway connecting both
temples. But in course of time, this temple got buried under the
ground.
Great Vaishnavite
Acharya Koorathazhwar discovered this fact. Lord Sri Narasimha with his
boundless energy came out roaring drawn by his devotion power. The
temple came into being then through the tireless and devotional efforts of
Vaishnavite saints Perarulalar and Thirumangai Azhwar. They rendered many
renovations and maintained the temple. Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar generally appears
with Mother Mahalakshmi on his left lap and embracing her by the left hand.
Here,
Mother is seen on the left lap of the Lord with her hands on the shoulders of
the Lord holding a lotus looking at the Lord. The other difference is that
though the Lord is called Narasimha, He does not have the face of a
Lion. Such form of Narasimha is known as Prahaladha Varada, Lord who
protected Prahaladha from the cruelties of his demon father Hiranya. It is
also the belief of devotees that Perumal in this form would consider their
prayers with all sympathy.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and from 5.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Vaikunda
Ekadasi in December-January, Narasimha Jayanthi, Purattasi Saturdays in
September-October, Swati Star days are the festivals of the temples, while
special pujas are performed on Pradosham days – 13th day of new moon or full
moon fortnights.
Prayers
Devotees
place their prayers at the feet of the Lord seeking relief from debt burdens,
solutions for property disputes and development of their trades in a touching
manner with tears. Their faith is so staunch that they believe that
their Lord would respond their prayers and would not let them down. They offer
Lime juice with sugar as Nivedhana to Lord. They light a lamp known as
Neeranjana Deepam. They take rice, coconut and oil to the temple. Spread the
rice on a plate. Break the coconut and pour the oil on the shell and light the
lamp. This relieves the devotee from adverse aspects of Mars planet and also
expedites weddings delayed due to this planetary problem.
Contact
Sri Narasimha
Perumal Temple,
Mela Mada
Veedhi,
Thirunelveli
– 627 001
Mobile: +91 98940 20443 / 95859 58594
Connectivity
The
temple is located in Mela Mada Veedhi behind Thirunelveli Lord Nellaiyappar
temple. Buses are available from the old bus stand. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Thirunelveli and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram
and Madurai.