Namakkal Narasimha and Hanuman Temple

Lord Hanuman, as we all know plays a pivotal role in the epic Ramayana in which Sriman Narayana manifests in the human form of His various incarnations, among which the most popular are what we know as the Dasavatharas. It was a chance encounter that Hanuman sees Lord Sri Rama along with His brother Lakshmana as they are walking in the forests in search of Goddess Sita. It is mentioned in the Ramayana, that Hanuman had an instant connect with the Lord looking at his shoulders and that he was able to imagine this form of human with four hands who is none other than Lord Maha Vishnu in a different form. 

When Thretha Yuga during which the Ramayana occurred ends, everyone is ready to leave the Earth along with Sri Rama to Vaikunta, the celestial abode of Sriman Narayana. Lord Rama had assured that each and every living being would be taken back by Him at the time to His permanent place of residence. However, Lord Hanuman had a request to Sri Rama – since the Lord resides all the time in His heart along with Goddess Mahalakshmi, He requested the Lord to allow him to stay back on Earth so He can chant Sri Rama nama during all the Yugas. Accordingly, Lord Hanuman is seen in the flag of Arjuna’s chariot in the Mahabharatha during the Thretha Yuga.  

It is said that till date during the Kali Yuga, whenever a discourse of Sri Ramayana Charitha is held, a separate seat is made and offered to Lord Hanuman near the idol or the photo of Lord Sri Rama, since Lord Hanuman would be seated to listen to the epic Ramayana. Such is the divinity of Hanuman to His master, Sri Rama & Goddess Sita. 

Once when Hanuman was flying, He stopped by to perform his daily rituals. He was carrying a Saligrama which was indicative of Lord Sri Narasimha. He found a woman doing penance and told her to keep the Saligrama with her and not to keep it on the ground. The woman, who was none other than Goddess Mahalakshmi wanted to see the Lord in the form of Sri Ugra Narasimha, the form in which He incarnated in the Krita Yuga to destroy Hiranyakashipu, father of Prahlada. Since the Goddess didn’t accompany Him at the time of His avatara as Narasimha, she was keen to see the same roopa of the Lord. Thus, the Lord manifested through the Saligrama in the form of Ugra Narasimha and the entire mountain is said to be the Saligrama itself. 

The imagery of Lord Narasimha inside a cave is at the foothills of the mountain here with a red smear on his right hand indicative of the blood which oozed from Hiranya’s body which was pierced with the nails of a lion – Vajra Naka, as we know them. Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are seen inside the main shrine, that they visited the Lord to pray and seek His blessings. Sanakan and Sanathanan, the two sons of Lord Brahma are also seen here who are said to inform the day today happenings in the Earth to the Lord. Lord Surya & Lord Chandra are seen offering Chamara, the fan to the Lord. 

Goddess Mahalakshmi, known as Namagiri Lakshmi is seen facing the Lord in Her penance who is facing West which is not a normal occurrence since Her shrine is usually to the right side of the Lord in most other temples. The shrine is considered “Trimurthi Sthalam” where Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are seen together, one of its kind again.

Hanuman has a separate shrine a little away, facing Lord Narasimha axially and praying Him all the time with folded hands. The height of Lord Hanuman’s idol is 18 feet in standing position and doesn’t have a roof on the top, with his entire body exposed to sun and rain, which is said to have been made of single rock. Since Lord Hanuman is said to be the best friend of Lord Shaneeswara, it is said that those who pray Lord Hanuman automatically beget the blessings of Lord Shani. 

Namakkal is about 60 kms from Salem. There are very few stay options in the small town with limited public transportation. Both the temples are open from 6am – 12.30pm and from 4.30pm – 8.30pm. Special poojas are performed all through the year during various special events.

Sarathy, your friendly Travel Companion will be able to arrange trips to these Temples soon. Bookings open soon. Stay tuned. Share this Page and spread the word.

Music & the Almighty

Sapthaswara's are 7 Gods.

SA  -is Agni Bhagawan

RE  - is Brhma

GA  -is Saraswathi

MA - is Shiva

PA  -is Vishnu

DHA - is Ganesha

NI - is Surya Bhagawan

Every Raga is a medicine, Every Raga is a Mantra, Every Raga has healing powers. When we sing bhajans in these Raga's, that raga will cure lot of our mental worries and health problems. Let us see the raga's and how it works in out body :-

01. Ahir Bhairav -Gives free relaxed feeling and mitigates dust allergies and skin disease. Good for arthritic conditions

02. Amrutavarshini - Ushana vyathi nasini ( alleviates diseases related to heat)

03. Ananda Bhairavi - Supresses stomach pain in both men and women. Reduces kidney type problems. Controls blood pressure

04. Bagesri - Helps in attaining Guru's grace. Arouses a feeling of darkness, stability, depths and calmness. This raga is also used in treatment of diabetes and hypertension.

05. Bhairavi - Reduces anxiety, pressures, skin, disease, allergies

06. Bhupala - To awaken someone out of deep sleep

07. Charukesi - 26th raga in the melakarta scale (parent) of the south Indian classical music. Rejuvenates the mind helping one to age gracefully. It enlivens the singer and listener.

08. Desh - The suppression of the senses releases a negative force. The process of sublimation needs a spiritual path. Rag Desh can provide that. Its energy gives the listener serenity, peace, inner joy, right valor, universal love and patriotism

09. Dwijavanti - Quells paralysis and sicorders of the mind

10. Ganamurte - Helpful in diabetes

11. Hamsadhwani - Energy giving. Provides good thinking, chaitanya. Sarvarogaharini (panacea)

12. Hemavati - Good for joint and back pain

13. Hindolam - Improves digestive power. Cures stomach related. problems

14. Kalyani - Gives energy and removes tension and acts as general tonic. Dispels the darkness of fear; Gives motherly comfort and increases confidence. Kalyani means mangalam. Recited with faith and devotion, it is believed to clinch marriage alliances. Many authentic reports exist about the raga's power to destroy fear in many forms: fear of poverty, of love, of power, of ill-health, of death, and so on.

15. Kapi - Sick patients get ove their depression, anxiety. Reduces absent mindedness

16. Karaharapriya - Curative for heart disease and nervous irritablility, neurosis, worry and distress.

17. Kedaram - Gives energy and removes tension

18. Keervani - Promotes dhyana (meditation) at mental and physical levels

19. Kokilam - Helps to prevent stone formation, burning sensations, sleeplessness and anxiety.

20. Madhuvarshini - Good for nerves. Cures diseases like slight headache, sleeplessness, and sinus problems.

21. Madhyamavati - Clears paralysis, giddiness, pain in legs/hands, etc. and nervous complaints

22. Malaya Maruta -To awaken someone out of deep sleep

23. Maya Malava Gowla - Counters pollution. It can be called the Gateway to Carnatic music. The history of Camatic music says that the blessed musicianv, Purandaradasar, introduced the system of Mayamalava gowla. This raga has the power to neutralize toxins in the body. Practicing it in the early hours of the morning, in the midst of nature will enhance the strength of the vocal chords.

24. Mohanam - Mohanam is present where beauty and love coexist. It filters out the ill-effects of kama (desire for sex) , krodha (anger) and moha (lust), bestowing immense benefits on the listener. Also said to sures chronic headaches, indigestion, and depression.

25. Neelambari - To get rid of insomnia & to get good sleep and mental peace

26. Ranjani - Cures kidney disease

27. Rathipathipriya - Adds strengh and vigor to a happy wedded life. This 5-swara raga has the power to eliminate poverty. The prayoga of the swaras can wipe off the vibrations of bitter feelings emitted by ill will

28. Rohini - Cures back pain, joint pain, etc.

29. Sama - Makes mind sober, tranquil, induces good sleep. Good for world peace.

30. Saramati - Elevates from depressed state. Cures balagraha dosham in children ( undiagnoses crying and imitability). For sleeplessness, itching, eye and ear problems, skin problems, and the problems of hearing irregular sounds

31. Sindu Bhairavi - Removes sins and sorrows and saves from unforesenn events

32. Sivaranjani -Powerful raga for meditation; bestows benevolence of God. Removes sadness, ushana roga santi (diseases related to excess heat). Good for general health

33. Sandhya Kalyani - Cures ear, nose and eye diseases. Relieves chronic clods. Gives good sleep and freshness

34. Shankarabharanam - The power of this raga is incredible. It cures mental illness, soothes the turbulent mind and restores peace and harmony. If rendered with total devotion for a stipulated period, it can cure mental disorders said to be beyond the scope of medical treatment. It also is said to have the power to shower wealth.

35. Shanmugapriya - Sharpens the intellect of the singer as well as the listener. Instills courage in one's mind and replenishes the energy in the body.

36. Subhapantuvarali - Alleviates mental dilemmas and indecisiveness

37. Suddha dhanyasi - Remover of sorrows. Gives a happy feeling. Tonic for nerves. Cures rhinitis and migraine.

38. Suruti - Mitigates stomach burn, insomnia, fear, disgust

39. Vakulabharanam - Alleviates asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, depression, skin disease and skin

40. Varali - Varali is good for vayu tatva, heart, skin ailments and gastric problems.

41. Vasanta / Vasanti - Controls high and low blood pressure, cures heart as well as nervous diseases. Can dear the fog of confusion when a series of medical tests has to be analysed. It heals nervous breakdowns.

42. Vasantha - Cures paralysis

43. Viswambari - General tonic, acts quickly

44. Raga Pooriya Dhansari (Hamsanandi-Kamavardini ) – evokes sweet, deep, heavy, cloudy and stable state of mind and prevents acidity..

45. Raga Darbari (Darbari Kanada) – is considered very effective in easing tension. It is a late night raga composed by Tansen for Akbar to relieve his tension after hectic schedule of the daily court life.

46. Raga Todi – give treamendous relief to patients of high blood pressure.

47. Raga Malkauns – helps to cure low blood pressure.

48.  Raga Malhar – Useful in the treatment of asthma and sunstroke.

49. Raga Hindol & Marava – These ragas are useful in blood purification.

50. Varali - Varali is good for vayu tatva, heart, skin ailments and gastric problems.

51. Yamuna Kalyani - Gives freshness and dynamism