THEPARIKKAL SRI LAKSHMI NARASIMHA SWAMY TEMPLE ,NEAR VILLUPURAM, KALLAKURICHI DISTRICT -TAMILNADU-COMPILED.
Dear friends, The Parikkal Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is an ancienttemple located in Tamil Nadu, near Villupuram in the newly formed KallakurichiDistrict. It is one of four significant Narasimha Kshetras near Villupuram,believed to be ~1800 years old, and is a powerful pilgrimage site where prayersare said to vanish miseries. The temple is known for its presiding deity, LordLakshmi Narasimha, and is a significant location for devotees. In Chennai, near to my home is an Iyengar family. Family HeadMr Kannan was native of Parikkal and suggesting us to visit the templeonce in our convenient time. Recently he has become the late. I have visited the temple 5 years back. Hope a divinereading. Gopalakrishnan 13-09-2025 Key Details Location: Near Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. Deity: Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. Significance: Considered a very auspicious and potent"Prarthana Sthalam" where devotees seek relief from debts, enemies, and diseases. Historical Connection: The temple's legend involves KingVasantaraja and an Asura named Parikalasuran, though its construction period isestimated to be around 1800 years ago. Legend Parikkaral Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple is an ancient templewhich was built by Vasantharaja of Vriddachalam. This place was ruled by theking Vasantharaja who had his capital at Vriddachalam. This king wished to builda temple for Lord Narasimha. Being constantly troubled by a demon calledParakalasura (said to be a relative of Hiranyakashipu), Vasantharaja undertooksevere penance at this place as directed by his Guru. Answering his prayers, LordNarasimha appeared here and killed the Asura. Having only seen the angry form of Lord Narasimha,Vasantharaja invoked the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi to pacify the Lord andgrant Darshan in a calm mood as Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Pleased by the prayers of the King,Goddess Kanakavalli Thaayar sat on the Lord’s lap, cooled down His anger andblessed the pious king Vasantharaja, the Devas and the all Rishis at thisplace. Delighted and overjoyed, Vasantharaja requested that thisplace be named after the demon Parakalasura, as in a way it was this Asura dueto whom the King could get the opportunity to witness the Lord’s Divya MangalaRoopam . Hence, this place was named as ‘Parikala’puram, which in course oftime became ‘Parikkal’. History This temple is rich in history. This is confirmed by severalinscriptions that are found on outside walls of this temple. These inscriptionsseem to be dating back to several hundred years. Prominent among them is the fish shaped inscriptions,which gives rise to one to two inferences: One, the Pandya kings, whose symbol was a ‘Fish’, may havecontributed to this temple in a big way. The other is the storyrelating to Vasantharaja, who one night saw in his dreams fishes near this place(an indication of impending victory in his battle against the asura). On observing other inscriptions, the contributions of Pallavaking Koperichingan, Thiru Bhuvanam Chakravarthy Konerinmai Kondaan, etc arebrought to light. Mughal invasion – While the original temple wasbuilt by Vasantharaja, it is believed to havebeen destroyed during the Mughal invasion. As per records, the templethat stands today is said to have been built by Veera Narasimha of Karnataka. This Temple was razed to the groundduring the Moghul Invasion. SubsequentlyVeera Narasimhan rebuilt and renovated this Temple with granites brought fromthe neighbouring Karnataka. Still the Cholas and Pallavas took keen interestand had lend their helping hand to bring this Temple to this level. It isbelieved that King Raja Raja Chola I had built the Sacred Tank or Pushkarani ofthis Temple. The Temple has undergone a recent renovation and Kumbabhishekam.Now it presents a very appealing and gorgeous to look at. Architecture This temple has no Rajagopuram and is situated at the centreof the village. At the sanctum Sanctorum, Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar is seen in asitting posture with Goddess Lakshmi on His left lap. This is the only templewhere the goddess Lakshmi is seen embracing the lord with her right hand on Hisback and both of them looking at the devotees to shower their blessings. In the sanctum, you will also see the idol of Hanuman whichwas installed by Vyasaraja. As told by the priest, the idol installed byVyasaraja is very unique with a bell on the tip of the tail. This is a very famous Narasimha Kshetra, which is known to beover 1000-2000 years old. Itis a special feature in this temple that Goddess Mahalakshmi is seen embracingthe Lord Narasimha to reduce His anger after Hiranyasamhara. Deities Moolavar – Lakshminarasimha Swamy Thayar – Kanakvalli Sub deities In this temple, one can find 2 Anjaneya idols in the samesannidhi. 1) Veera Anjaneyaand 2) Baktha Anjaneya. A unique feature here is that, unlike othertemples, Anjaneya gets the2nd right of Thirumanjanam after Lord Narasimha (in other temples,Thaayar is the one who gets the Thirumanjanam after the Lord). In the corridor there are Shrines for Sri Varadharaja Perumal, Vinayagarand Garudan. There are separate shrines for Kanakavalli thayar and LordVaradarajar. Lord Varadarajar is in a standing posture facing Southside. Aseparate sanctum for Hanuman is also seen. Here we can see both Veera Anjaneyaand bhakta Anjaneya Poojas The daily poojas as in other Narasimha temples in Tamilnadu. Significance Parikkal Lord Narasimha isthe Kula Deivam for many Madhwa families of Karnataka. This temple has become a verypowerful Prarthana Sthalam, where all miseries such as Debts, Enemies,Diseases, etc vanish away when one offers prayers at this temple. It is alsobelieved that this Temple brings miracle to the Physically and MentallyChallenged and also those suffering from Marriage Hardships. Offerings It is a custom herethat devotees after lighting lamp with gingili oil, spread Navadhanyam, writetheir wishes and pray. Infront of the temple there are many shops selling theoffering items told above and items like garlands, butter etc. Festivals There are festivals round the year at this temple. On the 5th day of Thai, Lord Narasimha goes on a processionto Pennai River andstays there the night. On Maasi Magam – full moon day- the Lord goes on a 10kmprocession to the KedilaRiver. On Panguni Uthiram, the Lord is taken on a procession toOrathur Village. Every month on Swathi Nakshatram, there is a specialThirumanjanam in the evening and a Sannidhi procession inside the temple. Narasimha Jayanti, Garuda Seva and Vaikunda Ekadesi are someof the other festivals celebrated in style in this temple. It is told there will be an inner call from the deity tovisit the temple. Timings Morning 6.00Am – 1.00pm Evening4.00pm– 8.00 Pm Contact Contact Number – 099438 76272 Krishnamurthy Bhattar (ARCHAKAR) – 96004 55395 Location By Road –Take the Madras- Villupuram-Ulundurpet- Trichy GSTNational Highway 21kms after Villupuram, Get down at Kedilam Junction. Thereare many share autos plying between Parikkal and Kedilam Junction- Regular Autosare there to temple at nominal charges. If travelling by car from Madras/ Villupuram, take aright(towards West) just before Kedilam Cross Road, cross the railway line toreach the temple (about 2kms from the railway line). I have gone in Taxi. Other information The Temple has a Chariot or Temple Car of its own. Free Annadhanam to Devotees is a hallmark of this Temple. The well inside thisTemple is Nagakoopam. It is believed that this water cures many illnesses. The utsavar moorthi is Narasimhar in a standing posture withHis consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The teertham is Garuda theertham and the sthala vrishkam isMagizham. Administration The temple is under HR &CE, Government of Tamilnadu. Address of the temple Arulmigu Lakshminarasimma Swamy Temple , Parikkal,Kallakurichi District, Pin code 607204. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/728117601.2052896.1757746205850%40mail.yahoo.com.
