|
The three forms of Vishnu
 Sri Narasimhaswami Temple is in Namakkal and the main deity is Lakshmi Narasimhar. Naamagiri is the Thaayar's name. This place was called Sri Sailakshetram once, but later on came to be called as Namakkal. Jack fruit tree is the sthala tree and Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar is also called Giridhara
Narasimhar.
Salagramam is usually found in Nepal's Khandaki River with a single head. But when Lord Anjaneya bathed in this river, he found a two-faced Salagramam. After he replaced the Sanjeevi mountain in its original place, he handed the two-faced Salagramam to Naamagiri Thaayar and meditated on
Rama.
After some time, unable to carry the Salagramam in Her hands, the Thaayar placed it on the ground. When Anjaneya finished his meditation, to his surprise, he saw that the Salagramam had turned into a mountain.
He tried to move it but could not do so. He thought for a second of Rama and Mahavishnu appeared before him in the form of Narasimhar to bless him. He told Anjaneya to finish serving Rama and then fulfil the wishes of the devotees who come to pray to Him.
 Obeying His order, Anjaneya stayed there. The main temple is Lakshmi Narasimhar temple and the sanctum sanctorum of Anjaneya is a part of it.
It is said this temple belongs to the 8th century. According to some, it is a 'Kudavarai' temple (hewn out of a huge rock or mountain) carved out during the reign of the
Pallavas.
 The Lord appears in three different postures in this temple: He appears in the lying posture as Lord Ranganatha, in 'Veeraasana' posture as Narasimhar and standing posture as Lord
Varadarajar.
It should be specially mentioned that inside a 25 ft cave temple, Giridhara Narasimhar is found in the lying posture along with Sooriyan, Chandran, Brahmakumarargal, Sivan and Brahma. Sri Ranganatha is found lying on a fierce-looking Kaarkodan snake.
The Salagramam which turned into a divine mountain lies in the middle of Namakkal. It is said a single-faced 'rudraksham' is a rare feature and so is a two-faced
Salagramam.
If one undertakes vratham for 12 days by staying inside the temple's premises and does service, it is believed that the Thaayar will appears in one's dream. She fulfils their prayers also, according to tradition.
The devotees offer thirumangalyam to Naamagiri Thaayar and perform 'angapradhakshinam' also. When their prayers are fulfilled, devotees offer curd rice and paanagam to Lord
Narasimhar.
'Panguni ratha utsavam' is celebrated in this temple for 15 days. In the same way, Narasimha Jayanthi and Navarathri utsavam for Naamagiri Thaayar are also celebrated with equal fervour.
|
