Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Narasingapuram – Inscriptions
Though
the 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 Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola. There are in all 14 inscriptions —
seven in the sanctum sanctorum of the Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal
shrine, six in what remains of the basement of the Andal shrine and one at the
entrance of the Rajagopuram. Of these, archaeologists consider those 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.
The
Chola inscriptions stands evidence that the temple even survived the Saivism
wave that took effect under the Cholas in the early period like many other
important Vaishnavite temples that survived it in South India in the early
period. The 12 stone inscriptions that are found in the temple dates back to
the Vijayanagar period describe about the glorious past of temple and the
Emperors. Most of the inscriptions belong to the reign of Emperor Achutha Deva
Maharaya describing about the donations and renovating construction led by his
government at the temple. In those five important inscriptions belong to the
years of A.D. 1533, 1534 and 1536 which are some of the important years of his
rule.
Emperor Achutha
Deva Maharaya is the younger brother of Krishna
Devaraya whose reign was considered to
be the golden period of south Indian history. One inscription belongs to the
reign of Venkatapathy Deva Maharaya describing about his esteemed work for the
temple. It dates back to the year 1608 and also considered to be the latest
inscription to be found in the temple premises. All these inscriptions are
in Sanskritised Telugu which is still a
local language prevailing in the surrounding areas of Narasingapuram.
The
inscriptions of the Vijayanagar kings belong to the reign of Achutha Deva
Maharayar and Veeravenkatapathy Rayar. They mention that Theertharapillai
gifted the village of Periya Puliyara or Narasimhapuram to Brahmins so that
they could live there and look after the temple. Another inscription says that
various gifts were made to Brahmins to recite Vedas for the welfare of
Narasanaicker, father of Achuthadeva Rayar.
An old
inscription in the Lakshmi Narasimha temple which describes about the
establishment of the presiding deity’s Urchavar idol Prahaladha Purandhara that
is named after the lord’s Avathaar purport says “Narasinga Perumal temple is
situated in the village of Narasa Nayakar Puram that is nearby Coovum (age
old Chola era Shaivite temple village) and under the jurisdiction of the
Jayamkonda Chola Mandalam of Chandragiri kingdom’s southernmost part. The name
of Narasa Nayakar Puram has become Narasingapuram in the later period because
of colloquial reference of the village to the temple and its deity.