Narasimhaswamy Temple, Namakkal

Narasimhaswamy Temple
Image of the temple entrance with Namakkal Fort in the background
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geography
Coordinates	11°13′20″N 78°09′51″E / 11.22222°N 78.16417°E / 11.22222; 78.16417Coordinates: 11°13′20″N 78°09′51″E / 11.22222°N 78.16417°E / 11.22222; 78.16417
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Namakkal
Location	Namakkal
Culture
Sanctum	Narasimhaswamy(Vishnu) Namagiri (Lakshmi)
Shrine	Agamam = Sri Vaikhanasam
Architecture
Architectural styles	Dravidian architecture, Rock-cut architecture

Narasimhaswamy(Vishnu)

Narasimhaswamy temple in Namakkal, a town in Namakkal district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture and Rock-cut architecture, the temple is located in the Salam - Namakkal- Trichy Road. The legend of the temple is associated with Narasimha, an avatar of Hindu god Vishnu appearing for Lakshmi, his consort, and Hanuman. Based on the architectural features, historians believe that the temple was built during the 8th century.

The temple has a pillared hall leading to the sanctum, which has rock-cut architecture. The temple is open from 7:00 am – 1:00 pm and 4:30 - 8:00 pm. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which fifteen-day Panguni Uthiram festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March - April) when the image of presiding deities are taken around the streets of the temple, being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

As per Hindu legend, Hiranyakasipu, a demon king, was troubling the Devas (celestial deities) as he got a boon from Brahma that no human can kill him, neither could he be killed in morning, noon or night nor in air, water or ground. His son Prahlada was an ardent devotee of Vishnu, garnering the hate of his father. Hiranyakasipu tried to slay Prahalada at various times, just to be saved by the divine grace of Vishnu. During the last heated argument between the two, Hiranyakasipu was asking if Vishnu was present everywhere and went on to break a pillar with his weapon. Vishnu took the avatar of Narasimha and came out of the opening in the pillar. Narasimha was a half-human with a lion face and slayed Hiranyakasipu on an evening time in a doorway, which was neither land nor air. Ages past by, when Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu was doing penance at this place, seeking his boons. Hanuman (locally called Anjaneyar) was carrying an image made of Saligrama and Lakshmi requested him to help her with a view of Vishnu in the form of Narasimha. Hanuman entrusted the saligrama to her and requested her to hold it until he returns. Lakshmi could not bear the weight and placed the image at this place, which grew into a mount before Hanuman could return. Narasimha appeared before both of them and set his abode at this place.