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.

Unique Divya Desam

Among the 106 Divya Desams on Earth, the other two being the Celestial Ocean – Parkadal and the Lord’s eternal abode, Sri Vaikuntam, Sri Parthasarathy Temple at Triplicane (Chennai) has a few unique features, which I would like to mention here.

The main deity is Lord Sri Parthasarathy facing the sea in the East. Lord Krishna, in his 9^thAvatar came to the Earth to protect Dharma (righteousness). 

When it was decided that the Kauravas will wage war against the Pandavas who were denied their rightful share of running the country, Kaurava King Duryodhana (son of Drithirashtra) went to Lord Krishna to seek his support. Around the same time, Pandava King Dharmaraja (Yudhishtra) also came to visit the Lord. Duryodhana admonished Dharma and said he was the elder brother between the two and also the ruling king so he would first ask what he wants from Lord Krishna. Also, he sat near the head of Lord Krishna as He was sleeping. When Krishna woke up, he first saw Dharma and enquired about him, which further irked Duryodhana and told Krishna that he came before Dharma and he must be allowed first to ask what he wanted for the War, which Krishna smilingly obliged. Duryodhana asked Krishna all the ammunition that ever existed, horses, elephants, swords et al which Krishna agreed to give away to him. Duryodhana laughed wickedly at Dharma and left the place. 

Krishna asked Dharma that he had nothing to part anymore to which Dharma said that he just needed the Lord to be with them in the War. The Utsavar Idol at Sri Parthasarathy Temple which has been around for centuries depict the arrow marks and injuries on the Lord’s face which can be seen till date at the temple. And thus, we know who won the war & how. This conversation has a larger life meaning. Even though we may have everything in life, money, material wealth, houses, cars, clothes and what not, ultimately, we all need His Grace and that’s what matters at the end of the day. 

At this temple, Sri Parthasarathy is in standing form and within the main prakaram (Sannidhi), one can also see Lord Rama and Sri Ranganatha in reclining form. Just outside this sannidhi, is another deity in the form of Sri Varadaraja Swamy, atop his celestial vahana, the Garuda (the celestial Eagle). The Lord here is also known as “Nitya Garuda Perumal” – always on Garuda Vahana ready for his ardent devotees. Adjoining this Sannidhi is Lord Sri Narasimha in Yoga form known as “Yoga Narasimha”. 

Also, this is one of the very few temples where Lord Sri Rama is with all his three brothers Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrugna and Goddess Sita Devi by his side. Lord Hanuman who is usually by His side, is facing the Lord about 15 feet away, another rarity across Sri Rama Temples or Divya Desams. One can also find the Dashavatara forms of Sriman Narayana on the Pillars behind the main Sannidhi. Needless, this is what we see and observe when we visit the temple. Perhaps there are many other gems that could be unearthed every time we visit.

Lord Narasimha is from the Krita Yuga, Lord Rama is from Tretha Yuga and Lord Parthasarathy is from Dwapara Yuga as Krishna Avatara. Sri Ranganatha in the reclining form is the way the Lord Resides at Sri Vaikuntam and Lord Varadaraja is the way the Lord comes to his devotee’s rescue. Fascinating indeed – this is perhaps the only Divya Desam where the Lord can be seen on all forms in which He has appeared across Yugas and at his celestial abode. 

Runa Vimochana Sloka

This shloka is in the praise of Lord Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. Daily chanting of this sloka is said to absolve one's sins.

Here is the link of Parikkal Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.

"Shri Runa Vimochana Nrusimha Stotram with meaning"

1) Devatha kaarya sidhyartham,

    Sabha sthambha samudbhavam,

    Sri nrusimham mahaaveeram namaami runa mukthaye.

MEANING:

For the purpose of completion of the need of the devas, You appeared from a pillar in a palace,Oh! Narasimha who is a great warrior, I salute you to get rid of my debts.

2) Lakshmya alingtha vamaangam,

    Bhakthaanaam vara daayakam,

    Sri nrusimham mahaaveeram namaami runa mukthaye.

MEANING:

Goddess Lakshmi embraces your left side, And you give boons to your devotees, Oh! narasimha who is a great warrior, 

I salute you to get rid of my debts.

3) Aantramaalaadaram shankha chakraabja Yudha dharinam,

Sri nrusimham mahaaveeram namaami runa mukthaye.

MEANING:

God who wears the inner part of your enemy as garland, God who holds conch wheel , lotus and other weapons, Oh! Narasimha who is a great warrior, I salute you to get rid of my debts.

4) Smaranaath sarva paapagnam,

    Khadraja visha naasanam,

    Sri nrusimham mahaaveeram namaami runa mukthaye.

MEANING:

God whose very thought kills all sins, God who destroys poison of all snakes, Oh! Narasimha who is a great warrior, I salute you to get rid of my debts. 

5) Simhanaadena mahatha,

    Digdanthi bhayanaasanam,

    Sri nrusimham mahaaveeram namaami runa mukthaye.

MEANING:

God of a terrible lion like roar, Who removes fear of elephants, which guard all directions, Oh! Narasimha who is a great warrior, I salute you to get rid of my debts.

6) Prahlaada varadam sreesam,

    Daithyeshwara vidaarinam,

    Sri nrusimham mahaaveeram namaami runa mukthaye.

MEANING:

God who was kind to prahlada, The lord of Lakshmi and he who ripped apart the king of demons, Oh! Narasimha who is a great warrior, I salute you to get rid of my debts.

7) Krooragrahai peedithaanaam,

Bhakthaanaam abhaya pradham,

Sri nrusimham mahaaveeram namaami runa mukthaye.

MEANING:

God who gives freedom from fear to devotees, Who are being troubled by cruel planets, Oh! Narasimha who is a great warrior, I salute you to get rid of my debts.

8) Veda vedaantha yagnesam,

brahma rudraadhi vanditham,

Sri nrusimham mahaaveeram namaami runa mukthaye.

MEANING:

God who is the lord of Vedas, Vedantha and Sacrifices, Who is worshipped by Brahma, Rudra and others, Oh! Narasimha who is a great warrior, I salute you to get rid of my debts.

9) YA IDAM PATATHE NITHYAM,

RUNA VIMOCHANA SAMHITHAM,

ANRUNEE JAAYAATHE SADHYO DHANAM, SEEGRAMAVAAPNUYAATH.

MEANING:

HE WHO READS DAILY THIS PRAYER FOR GETTING RID OF HIS DEBTS, WOULD SURELY SOON EARN LOT OF MONEY AND BE DEBTLESS

Parikkal Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar

Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha at Parikkal is our family deity and have been visiting this place for, well since when I was born. Among the various forms of Lord Maha Vishnu, the fourth Avatar (incarnation) as Narasimha is quite special. 

When the Four Brahma Kumaras (they were Manasa putras, meaning born out of the mind of Lord Brahma) - Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatkumara came to visit Sriman Narayana at Vaikunta, His bodyguards Jaya-Vijaya refused them entry stating that the Lord was resting. Outraged, they cursed them to be out of the celestial world. The duo reached the Lord’s feet and sought mercy, however the Lord himself could do little about this curse. However, He gave them two choices. Either be born as a devotee in seven births or be born as an Asura in three births to fight the Lord Himself. That the duo couldn’t stay away from the Lord for seven births, they were born Asuras - In Krita Yuga as Hiranyaksha (killed by Lord Maha Vishnu's 3rd Avatara as Varaha) and Hiranyakashipu (story below). 

Hiranyakashipu was a very learned man and did a lifetime penance such that he could never be destroyed by any force created on earth such as no animal or man could kill him, he cannot be destroyed in the day or night, inside or outside his house, no weapons could destroy him and so on. However, the Lord had other plans, as always. Hiranya was blessed with a Son who was named Prahlada who was a staunch devotee of Lord Maha Vishnu even since he was in his mother’s womb, for his mother stayed at the ashram of Sage Naradha and was tutored Sriman Narayana’s nama all along. So, when He was born in the Earth, he continued to be the biggest devotee of Sriman Narayana. His father Hiranya wanted Prahlada to believe that he was the real Lord which Prahlada always refused to agree. 

Enraged, Hiranyakashipu asked his son to prove where He was right now, if He is always around for which Prahlada replied he is in everything that is created in this world. When Hiranyakashipu breaks a Pillar, a unique creature comes out of it. A Lion with a human torso walks gigantically even as the 14 worlds shudder, which pulls Hiranyakashipu on its lap, sits at the entrance of the house and kills Hiranya with its sharp nails. And all this happens at dusk: 5.45pm – 6.30pm which is in between the day and night. The creature is none other than Lord Narasimha – Nara, meaning human and Simha meaning a Lion. 

The entire cosmic world was terrified at this instance because such a thing had never happened ever before. Lord Shiva & Brahma, Goddesses Mahalakshmi, Parvati, Saraswati, and all other Devatas prayed to the Lord to calm down to which He obliged. Therefore, Lord Narasimha has always been associated with removing the negative energies in the world and setting things right. Daily obeisance to Lord Narasimha is said to salvage the life sins of humans and help them attain moksha at His feet. He is also the most benevolent forms of Lord Maha Vishnu and is seated in three forms – Abhaya Hasta with Goddess Mahalakshmi on his Lap, Yoga Narasimha and in the form of tearing up Hiranyakashipu. 

Temple View - Parikkal

Parikkal Sri Lakshmi Narasimha is a temple which is considered over 1,000 years old and has inscriptions of the “fish” which is associated with the Pandya Kings of South India. Goddess Mahalakshmi is seated on His left lap and also has a separate sannidhi where She blesses devotees as Goddess Kanakavalli. 

Among the various slokas, “Runa Vimochana Stotra” is one of the most powerful ones which will relieve one of their debts. Debts here do not just mean financial ones, but the debt that we leave pending birth after birth and keep coming back to relieve them. Regular chanting of this sloka will have very positive outcomes and I am a beneficiary of this sloka.

Main Festivals;

Swathi Star on which day the Lord arrived on Earth (Monthly)

Sri Narasimha Jayanthi Tamil Month - Vaikasi, English Calendar Year - May)

Temple Timings: 6am to 12.30pm; 4.30pm – 8.30pm

Avoid Weekends, for they are just too crowded. Weekdays are relatively less crowded.

Thirumanjanam (Abhishekam) is performed on all days but with prior booking only. Contact the Temple Priest Sri. Sundara Varadan on his mobile number +91 94446 48309.

Temple Prasadam is usually provided as part of the Thirumanjanam which includes Sweet Pongal and Panchamrutham. Additional prasadam items such as Puliyodarai and Curd Rice can be requested in advance which would be provided upon additional payment. 

Google Link

How to reach: 

Railhead: 

Villupuram Junction (25 kms)

Parikkal Station (3 kms) but very few trains stop here

Bus Stand: 

Villupuram Bus Stand (25 kms)

Airport: 

Chennai Airport (170 kms)

Tiruchirapalli Airport (140 kms)

By Road:

On the Chennai Trichy National Highway, the village “Parikkal” can be spotted just after 20 kms from Villupuram towards Trichy. You will see JCB Earth Movers Showroom followed by Café Coffee Day both on to your left side and Truck Lay-bye also on the left side. Immediately after that, there would be medians placed on the road for vehicles to slow down. A 20 feet statue of Lord Hanuman can be seen on the left side, and the road opposite will take you to the temple premises. You will pass through the railway track connecting Villupuram – Trichy. 

Taxis are available from Chennai & Trichy Airport, from Villupuram Railway Station and Bus Stands. There is no accommodation at Parikkal, however a few good hotels can be found at Villupuram town. Do refer here for details.

From Chennai, this temple can be covered in a single day between 6am – 9pm with a few other temples midway. 

Jai Narasimha!