Lakshmi Narasimha Temple (Navaneetha Krishnan Temple),
Nanganallur – History
The temple is built in 1974 – 75 AD, on remnants of a
1500 years Pallava period ruined temple site. As per the ASI, researches have
revealed, the small place of Nanganallur had existed even during the 8th
century A.D., It was also chosen by the Pallava monarchs of Kanchipuram as a
site for a number of sprawling Vishnu temples. Several artifacts had been
excavated that include a beautiful stone image of Lord Narayana, about five and
a half feet in height portrayed in a typical Pallava style. An image of Goddess
Bhudevi, with a bell, a plate and a lamp are extremely captivating.
The metal bell found here with the imposing image of
Goddess Bhudevi is a unique one, since the top of the handle contains the
images of Sudarsana (the discus of Lord Vishnu) and Panchajanya (His conch) one
inlaid within the other. Normally they are found on either side of the top
portion of a bell. An inscription in Tamil datable to the 10th century
A.D. discovered at this ancient place has the detailed description of the
registration of the gifted land for meeting the expenses of lighting two lamps every
day.
The members of the Krishna Bhakta Jana Sabha took the
photos of the recovered articles and idols to Kanchipuram and met the
Paramacharya on May 2, 1974 and explained the same to him. The sage of Kanchi
blessed them. Sudarsana Homam, Sri Suktha Homam and Bhoomi Sankarshana Puja
were conducted at the site on May 24 and Thirukkallam Sri Narasimha
Raghavachariar, a renowned scholar, conducted the "Sthala Puja."
Efforts of the Sabha bore fruit when the Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple was
constructed and the Ashtabandana Mahasamprokshanam was performed on December
14, 1975.
The "Sudarsana Yantram," which was kept in the
Chakrattazhvar shrine at Kancheepuram, was brought to Nanganallur and installed
under the Peetam of the idol by Sri Jayendra Saraswathi. Yagasala puja and
other rituals preceded the Samprokshanam and the temple was then consecrated.
The Sabha also introduced the "Pidi Arisi Thittam" by collecting one
handful of rice and one rupee from the public for conducting the daily puja and
other rituals.
The temple complex slowly took shape with the
construction of the Veera Anjaneya shrine through public donations and the
Samprokshanam was performed in December 1976. "Koti Archanai" was
conducted for Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar from June 19, 1978 and special "Thirumanjanam"
with 473 Kalasams was performed to the Lord and his Consort. In course of time,
the shrines of Sri Rukmani-Sathyabhama Sametha Sri Navaneetha Krishnan, Sri
Kothandarama, Sri Srinivasa, Sri Andal, Azhwars and Acharyas, including Sri
Ramanuja and Sri Vedanta Desika, were established.