An aerial view of the Padaladhri Narasimhaswamy temple.
IT IS festival time at the Padaladri Narasimhaswamy Temple, popularly known as Singaperumalkoil, 48 km from Chennai on the National Highway to Chengalpattu. Brahmotsavam is on from June 2, beginning with "Angurarpanam" and "Dwajarohanam."
On June 5, the Lord, mounted on Garuda Vahanam, was taken in a procession in the morning and on the Hanumantha Vahanam in the evening. Sunday evening will find the deity going round on the elephant mount to the accompaniment of fireworks. The temple car will roll out in all its splendour the next morning and the festival will conclude with "Theerthavari" on June 11. Special "Thirumanjanam" will be performed to the Moolavar idol in the morning on June 12 and the Lord will be taken in procession in golden "Tholukkiniyan" in the evening. "Vidaayetri" will follow, held for three days from June 13. One of the famous Narasimha Temples in Tamil Nadu, Singaperumalkoil is known as "Padaladri" as the hill where the temple is situated is red in colour.
Majestic atop at the hill - Moolasthana vimanam
The Lord's image has been carved out on the hillock itself and hence one who wants to go in circumambulation of the Lord has to do so by going round the hillock itself.
According to "Brahmanda Puranam" the temple was surrounded by a big forest where Sage Jabali was doing penance praying to the Lord to appear before him.
Sri Ahobilavalli Thayar - Moolavar and Utsavar.
It was the time of Narasimha incarnation and He appeared before the sage as "Ugra Narasimha" after slaying the demon, Hiranyakasipu.
The Lord even now gives darshan to the devotees in the same form with four hands, two of them holding Sudarsana and Panchajanya and the third in "Abaya Hastha" pose with the fourth pointing towards the earth. Found in sitting posture the Lord has three eyes, and wears the Salagrama and Sahasranama garlands.
The temple rituals are conducted according to the Vaikanasa Agama. The Goddess here, as in Ahobilam, is known as Ahobilavalli and there are separate shrines for the Goddess, Andal, Azhwars and Acharyas. ``Periya Thirumozhi" hymns, starting with "Anganngnalamanja," in praise of the Lord in Ahobilam are recited here also.
The resplendent image of the Moolavar Lord Narasimha with the Utsavar in the foreground.
Festivals are held almost every month in the temple, which is under the control of the HR and CE Department.
The temple looks spick and span after the renovation and consecration on May 10 last year.
