Sri Namakkal Narasimha Temple
Namakkal is 58kms from Erode Via Tiruchengodu and from Salem it is about 55 Kms via Rasipuram is the Famous Narasimha Rock Cave Temple at the Saligrama Cave Hill in Namakkal.It is surrounded by the Kollimallai Mountain Ranges and Just Opposite to the Narasimha temple is the Anjaneya temple where he is seen in a standing posture facing Lord Narasimha. Behind the Narasimha temple on the Eastern side is the Ranganatha temple, where the Lord is seen in a Karkodaya Sayana posture.
History dates in Krutha Yuga the two gate keepers of Sri Vaikunta on curse of Rishies were born as cruel Hiranya Brothers, Younger Hiranyaksha was killed by Mahavishnu in the Avathara of Varaha, for his harmful deeds.The elder Hiranyakasipu concentrated his mind and did serious Thapas for so many years. As a result of his Thapas, he got boons from Lord Brahma, that he will never meet the death by human beings, animals, earth and sky, by any instruments in and out of the houses etc.
Then Hiranyakasipu, on the Power of the boons, gave much troubles to Rishies and Devas and compelled them to pray them as "HIRANYAYA NAMA" only; and ordered that there is no other god to pray except him. As all were afraid of Hiranyakasipu, no Yagas and Deva Poojas were done. Then, worried Devas and Rishies with Brahma, prayed Lord Sri Narayana to get relief from HiranyaKasipu.
Therefore Sri Mahavishnu, determined to kill HiranyaKasipu and blessed them. Hiranya kasipu had a son named Prahaladha. He was naturally very pious to Lord Mahavishnu. So he refused to say "Hiranyaya Nama" but he only prayed "OM NAMO NARAYANA" Hiranya kasipu tried to change Prahaladha to pray his name insted of Lord Vishnu, in so many ways personally and through Gurus, but it proved in vain Prahaladha never said "Hiranyaya Nama" but he prayed bravely "OM NAMO NARAYANA" with the company of other boys.This created great anger to Hiranyakasipu on Prahaladha and determined to kill him. He ordered his soldiers to kill Prahaladha by elephants, cobra, and by giving poison, but all were waste. His Vishnu Bhakthi saved him from these dangers.Hiranya kasipu asked Prahaladha with great anger "Who is your God? Where is He and show Him?", On the belief of God, Prahaladha replied proudly and bravely "Father listen! MAHA VISHNU IS THE ONLY GOD and He is the Omnipresence and eternal - you can't destroy him" he is everywhere in you and me also.
Hiranyakasipu with great anger showed a pillar and cried "Is your God in this pillar?" "CERTAINLY" here also replied Prahaladha with belief. As soon as Hiranya kasipu heard the words from Prahaladha he kicked the pillar with full of anger.Immediately he heard a great roar and the pillar was flapped into two halves. Lord Sri Narasimha came out from the pillar with roaring, Hiranyakasipu surprised on seeing LORD NARASIMHA and astonished himself as to what form of this creature, no Man, no Animal, with Lion head and with Human body with a cruel appearance.
Then the fight began between Hiranya kasipu and SRI NARASIMHA. At last Sri Narasimha dragged Hiranya kasipu towards the entrance of the palace and placed him on his thighs and torn Hiranya's chest by his nails at the time of sunset in this way Hiranya kasipu was killed by Sri Lord Narasimha.
All Devas were afraid to approach Sri Narasimha swamy, in that angry mood and so also Sri Mahalakshmi. Baktha Prahaladha prayed Sri Narasimha who blessed him with mercy and disappeared in the form of a Saligrama near Prahaladha's Kingdom ( Ruling Place ) Prahaladha worshipped the Saligrama ever and Sri Mahalakshmi's prayer made Sri NARASIMHA calm. Then he blessed Sri Mahalakshmi and gave her so many VARAS. From that time, the name to Mahalakshmi was spread as SRI NAMAGIRI LAKSHMI to God Sri LAKSHMI NARASIMHA. Sri Narasimhaswamy is in the cave temple with so many beautiful sculptures.
In Trethayuga during the period of Ramayana Sri Hanuman saved Sri Rama and others with Sanjeevi herbs which was brought from Himalayas by him. Then Hanuman replaced it in the Himalayas. On his return through the Sky Sri Hanuman brought the Saligrama in which Sri Narasimha swamy disappeared.In the meantime the Sun had, risen. Sri Hanuman got down to the earth to perform Sandyavandana because he was a great sage and bachelor. That is tha place of Sri Mahalakshmi's Tapovanam with a big holy tank named Kamalalayam where Sri Mahalakshmi was born Sri Hanuman determined to do his morning duties.Therefore he placed the Saligrama near the tank of Kamalalayam and performed SandyaVandana.
After he had made his duties Hanuman tried to lift the Saligrama. But he could not move it easily which was brought by him. This confused Sri Hanuman and he worshipped the God. Then the Saligrama grew as a rock a voice rose Oh Hanuman I determined to stay here, I was brought by you. First you go to Lanka and save Sri Ramachandramurthi.If you want to worship me, you will come here after Ramavathara and pray ever in front of me in Kaliyuga. Thus Sri Hanuman is even now at Namakkal Sthala in the western side of the rock standing in the open air, worshipping in front of Sri Lord NARASIMHA SWAMY .
The SANCTUM SANCTORUM ( Garbhagriha )and Ardhamandapam are in the cave. Sri Narasimhaswamy is sitting in chief place with the sages Sanaka, Sanandana, Soorya, Chandra holding and Chamara and in the last Shiva and Brahma are praying.
So Namakkal is called as one of the Trimurthy Sthalas. We can see in Ardha mandapa walls, very beautiful sculptures of sri Mahavishnu's Avatharas! " Sri VAIKUNTA NARAYANA" with Sun, Moon, Siva Brahma, Markandeya and Boomadevi. Abhaya Narsimha is also here. In the next wall, we can see Sri Ugra Narasimha tearing the Hiranya's chest by nails. On the other side wall Sri Vaamana moorthy is getting Dana by Mahabalya Chakravarty. Sukrachari is punished by Garuda for disturbing the Dana. Jambavan is drumming in the sky.
In the same wall Sri Mahavishnu as Trivrikrama is measuring the earth and sky. In the next wall, Sri Varaha Moorthy is bearing the four VEDAS all power heads on the nose, and holding Sri Bhoomadevi by two hands. On the eastern side of the rock there is also a cave temple. Here also we can see Sri RANGANATHA lying on KARKOTAKA NAGA Sayana position who performed Thapas.In the same cave temple one can see SANKARA NARAYANA and on the other side Vamana Avathara as is in Sri Narasimha's temple. These are protected by the Archaeological Department as the monuments maintained by the H.R. & C.E. Dept of the State Government and Poojas are performed as per VAIKANASA AGAMA.
The glories of Goddess Sri Namagiri Amma or Thayar is spread in all over India up to Himalayas. The devotees who visit Namakkal first they worship Namagiri Thayar,Devotees offer Kanikies, Sarees and Jewels etc. The Dasara festival is performed for ten days to SRI NAMAGIRI AMMAN with Great Pomp. The Car festival is celebrated for 15 days to Sri Narasimha, Sri Ranganatha, and Sri Hanuman in the star of Panguni Hastha in every year. The Hanumantha Jayanthi is celebrated by devotees of all over in a grand manner during the New Moon day of Margashisha month.
SRI NAMAGIRI AMMAN'S Lotus eyes are merciful. She is seeing by lotus eyes with mercy. She is sitting on the lotus Sri Namagiri Lakshmi's eyes are lotus, face is lotus mouth is lotus, hands are lotus, feet are lotus, seat is lotus and her birth place is lotus and her sight is merciful She is also holding the lotus.
The myth says the ( Sculptures ) cave temples were constructed by Viswakarma ( Divine Mason ) but the Archaeological Department says that caves are constructed by Pallavas. There is no statue without canopy but the great Hanuman of Namakkal is as high as 18 feet but fully exposed.
Namakkal is a famous place because of Sri Namagiri Thayar's Merciness, the Greatness to Lakshmi Narasimha's cave temple and the Greatness of the Hanuman.
one must Visit this Ancient Historical Temple at least once in Life time.
---------- Hari Om ----------
