- Special FeaturesFoundation YearThis temple was constructed in 770 A.D. by MadurakaviSthala TreeTheerthamRathamArchitectureDravidian architectureOther Speciality
- Sthala Puran
This temple is located 8 km East of Melur Highway (Madurai) and 4 km North of the Thiru Mogur Kaalamega Perumal temple. It is located at the foot of the Yanamalai Hill (The hill looks like an elephant) and the place is called as Narasingam.
This is also known as Gaja Giri Kshetram (due to the salvation given to an elephant). This temple is an example of a cave cut temple (kodavarai temple) and was constructed by breaking huge piece of rocks.
According to legends, Romasa Maha Rishi wanted to have darshan of Lord Vishnu in the Narasimha form/Roopa. So, he approached Sage Narada, who asked him to bathe in the Sakkara Theertha and undertake penance at Padma Thadagam, which is a place filled completely with flowers.
He performed a Sathra Maha Yagna to invoke the blessings of Lord Narasimha , who pleased with his prayers appeared before him in a gigantic form in an Ugra Kolam (Ferocious pose).
Everyone was scared to look at His Ugra Kolam and the Devas went to Lord Brahma for a solution. Lord Brahma requested Lord Shiva to help them. Lord Shiva transformed into a Saraba bird form. This Saraba bird had Lord Brahma as the head and Surya and Chandra as the eyes.
On seeing the Saraba bird, Lord Narasimha’s anger grew further, leaving the Devas running for protection.
They requested Prahalada to help them. On seeing Prahlada, Lord Narasimha’s anger reduced. Then, they invited Goddess Lakshmi to help them, and on seeing Her, the Lord’s anger vanished completely and thereby transformed into Lord Yoga Narasimhar. Later , Lord Narasimha and Goddess Lakshmi blessed Romasa Rishi with a child.
This temple was constructed in 770 A.D. by Madurakavi alias Marankaari who was the minister of the Madurai King Parantaka Neduncheziyan .
The sculpture of Narasinga Perumal is carved out of the hill itself. The temple is a good example of the cave sculpturing of the Pandya Kingdom. In front of this, there is a stone temple for the goddess Narasingavalli.
The foot of the hill, where the Narasimha temple is located, is known as Narasingam or Hasthigiri or Gajagiri. There one may find the Maha Mandapam, Garuda Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam of the Pandya period. The shrine of the Goddess Narasingavalli faces south, at the entrance.
The temple is unique for its utsava vigraham of Lord Narasimha in a standing posture with the Sudarsana and Panchajanya in His upper two hands while the left lower hand holds the Gathai (the club as a weapon) and the right is in the Abhaya Hastha posture (blessing posture).
The Yoga Narasimha vigraham at the temple is six feet high, sculpted on the hill itself.
Temple address: Arulmigu Narasinga Perumal Temple, Thirumohur , Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625 107.
- ArchitectureRajagopuram
Tower Name - Rajagopuram
Constructor Name - N.Karunakaran
No.of Kalasam - 5
Lightning Arrester - Yes
Century - 21st Century
No.of Sudhai Sculptures - 40
Tower Description - 3 Neelai Rajagopuram
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