Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Narasingapuram – History
In the
early period of Cholas Saivism took prominence and Vaishnavism was suppressed by it. Even amidst the situation
prevailed in South India the
temple of Lakshmi Narasimha enjoyed patronage and was well governed. Later at
the glorious era of Vijayanagara Nayaks where Vaishnavism flourished and given
much importance in both politics and as a religion, the Lakshmi Narasimha
temple became important along with Sriperumbudur (Ramanujar Temple) though both
are not in 108 Divyadesam. Vijayanagara Nayak Emperors patronized it and gave
many villages as charter to the temple’s development and as well as the
religion.
The
temple, a fine specimen of the Vijayanagar style of architecture with delicately
sculpted and carved pillars. Architecture in the temple made one think that it
belonged to the Vijayanagar period, there are inscriptions dating back to the reign of
Chola kings. Archaeologists consider those inscriptions in the Andal shrine
basement as more ancient and belonging to the period of Kulothunga Chozha I and
Vikrama Chozha I. They speak about their constructing the Madurantaka Vinnagar
temple in Madurantaka Nallur (the present Madurantakam) and installing the
idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana in it and the
grants made by them for the daily conduct of poojas.
Inscriptions
in Tamil speak of consecration of a shrine, gift of lamps, oil, offerings etc.
by the king. Another Tamil inscription gives credit to Vikrama Chola Deva for
the sale of a land to the temple. The original idol of the Utsava moorthy of
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha is at least 1400 years old, dating back to the early
Pallava period (6th – 8th Century A.D). Sri Narayana Yatindra Maha Desikan,
45th Jeeyar of the Ahobila Math, visited the temple on February 2, 2003, and
offered Mangalasasanam to the Lord.