வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple, Narasingpettai, near Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu
Location
This temple is located on the banks of River Veera Chozhan, a tributary of Cauvery, and is 15 kms away from Kumbakonam and 18 kms away from Mayiladuthurai. This Temple is famous for Kariya Siddhi Anjaneya Shrine in its premises.
Google Maps Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Yoga+Narasimhar+Temple,+Narasingampet/@11.0315661,79.5040582,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xabcf8f75bb8f2a47!8m2!3d11.0316404!4d79.504046
Uniqueness
Lord Narasimha is usually seen alone or in the form of Lakshmi Narasimha with the Devi being seen seated on the lap of the Lord. This is the one of the few temples where Lord Narasimha can be seen with both his consorts He is adored in four hands holding Shanka and Chakra in two hands and the other two hands are in Yoga Mudra. Utsava Idol is known as Prahalada Varadar with Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side.
History
The Temple is a very ancient one believed to be around 2000 years old and extensively renovated first by the Chozha rulers (750-800 AD and later by the Vijayanagara Kings.
Name of the place
In ancient times the place was referred to as Narasimhapuram which later days got changed to Narasingpettai
Legends
As per legend, Lord Vishnu was afflicted with Brahmmahathi dosham for killing Hiranyakasipu. He meditated on Lord Shiva at Suyambu Natha Swamy Temple here to get relief from the dosham. Hence, Narasimha can be seen sitting in meditative posture in this temple.
Another legend has it that, Lord Shiva after the Daksha Yagnam and self Immolation of Sati, was uncontrollable and started performing the Rudra Thandavam and to pacify Him and restore normalcy Lord Vishnu appeared before him in the form of Yoga Narasimha with consorts.
The writer's view
The two schools of Hinduism, Vaishnavism and Shaivism were always at loggerheads in those days. The second one mentioned above, appears to be an extension of the legend of Lord Vishnu chopping off body parts of the corpse of Sati which Lord Shiva was carrying. But there is no authentic record of Lord Vishnu assuming the role of Narasimha to pacify Lord Shiva. Perhaps staunch Vaishnavas, unwilling to accept Narasimha worshipping Lord Shiva could have fabricated the second version. For academic interest, it may be noted that, close to this place, there is located another famous temple where Lord Shiva, in form of Sarabeswara is seen controlling Narasimha.
The Temple
This Temple is facing east direction. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called Yoga Narasimha Swamy. He is housed in the sanctum seated in Yoga (meditative) posture. Garudalwar can be seen in front of the sanctum. There is a shrine for Kariya Siddhi Anjaneya in the prakaram.
Karya Siddhi Anjaneya
There is an unique practice of offering coconuts to Anjaneya here. Devotees need to bring the coconuts and the temple officials mark the coconut with a number, then they note the marked number in a ledger. Then, devotees lit three deepas, offer one at Anjaneya Shrine, the remaining two at Sanctum and then return to Anjaneya shrine.
The priests return the coconut to the devotee. Then, devotees need to circumbulate Anjaneya shrine with coconut for 11 times and Narasimha Shrine for 3 times. Devotees tie the coconut in the temple premises. It is believed that the wishes made during the circumbulation will be fulfilled in 11 weeks. Once, their wish is fulfilled, they need to untie the coconut and perform archana at Anjaneya shrine.
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