Ramapuram near porur , once considered a suburb in chennai that was difficult to reach from the heart of city, has now become a crowded place, very much within city limits.it is therefore heatening to know that the very ancient temple for sri lakshmi narasimha perumal located there, which was once in an extremely dilapidated condition, with hardly anyone visiting it is now in a flourishing state and the centre of active worship.
external link about this temple - narasimhartempless.blogspot.com
Temple history
According to the sources connected with the history of this temple, it was originally constructed during the time of the pallava ruler,narasimhavarman II in the 8th century. However, the pillars of the temple, especially those in the mandapa, point to this being a creation of the chola times, subsequent to the pallava era. Whatever be the exact antiquity of this temple, the fact remains that for a long time it remained neglected with many parts of the shrine in a dilapidated condition. Luckily, enthusiastic devotees arranged for the renovation of this temple and the consecration (samprokshanam) was performed in 1983. the second samprokshanam was performed in 1994 when the flag staff(dhvajasthambam) was installed and the third samprokshanam was held in November 2007. the street leading to the temple has been known, from the Ancient historyancient times, as iyengar street, revealing that people of the srivaishnava community had settled here long bac. The entire area was known as brindaranya kshetra as there was a large tulasi garden here.
Architecture
The entrance to this medium-sized temple, as well as the main shrine, faces east. Worshippers enter the temple through a spacious mandapa with the dhvajasthabam, in front of which, directly facing the main shrine, is a tiny image of sri vainateya or garuda with palms together(anjali hasta). Enshrined in the main sanctum is the small but very powerful image of sri lakshmi narasimha perumal. Like most images of this deity,here too he is seen with Lakshmigoddess lakshmi seated on his left thigh. His upper hands hold the counch(sankha) and discus (chakra).His lower left hand encircles the waist of the goddess while his right hand is in the posture of assuring his devotees that he will save them from all harm(abaya hasta). Interestingly, this image is of greenish stone (pachaikkal) of a resonanat nature. Sri lakshmi narasimha perumal wears a salagrama garland of 38 salagramas, of which 25 are sri santanagopala saligramas and the rest are sri lakshmi narayana salagramas. The deity is enshrined under the ananda vimana.There is a small images of lord santanakrishna in this temple and it is believed that those who hold this deity in their hands and perform worshp(archana)will be blessed with offspring.
Agamam and festivals
The temple is currently active; its rituals are conducted according to the vaikhanasa agama vaikhanasas . The brahmotsavam, which is celebrated in the tamil month of ani (june – july ) during sravanam asterism (nakshatra), was started in 1994. On swathi nakshatra every month,there is a procession for sri Lakshminarasimha perumal.
Prayers
A number of prayers have been written in dedication to Narasimha avatar. These include:
The Nirsimha Maha-Mantra
Om Ugram, Veeram, Maha-Vishnum, Jwalantam, Sharvato Mukam, Nirshimham, Bhishanam, Bhadram, Mrityor-Mrityur namam yaham. "
O' Angry and brave Maha-Vishnu, your heat and fire permeate everywhere. O Lord Narasimha, you are everywhere. You are the death of death and I surrender to You."
'
'ito nrsimhah parato nrsimho, yato yato yami tato nrsimhah, bahir nrsimho hrdaye nrsimho, nrsimham adim saranam prapadye
"Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Narasimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Narasimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge." (Narasimha Pranama)[15]
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-srngam, dalita-hiranyakasipu-tanu-bhrngam, kesava dhrta-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe. O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasplike demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on your beautiful lotus hands." (from the Dasavatara-stotra composed by Jayadeva)[16]
Tvayi Rakshathi Rakshakai: Kim Anyai:, Tvayi Cha Arakshati Rakshakai: Kim Anyai:, Ithi Nischita Dhee: Srayaami Nityam, Nruhareh: Vegavathee Tataasrayam Tvam!
"O kamasikha Narasimha! you are sarva sakthan. When you are resolved to protect some one, where is the need to seek the protection of anyone else? When you are resolved not to protect some one, which other person is capable of protecting us?. There is no one. Knowing this fundamental truth, I have resolved to offer my saranagati at your lotus feet alone that rest at the banks of Vegavathi river." (Kamasika Ashtakam by Vedanta Desika)
Aadi Aadi Agam Karandhu, Isai Paadi Paadi Kanner Malgi, Engum Naadi Naadi Narasinga Endru, Vaadi Vaadum Il Vaazh Noothale!
"I will dance and melt for you, within my heart, to see you, I will sing in praise of you with tears in joy, I will search for Narasimha and I am a householder who still searches to reach you(to attain Salvation)." (Divya Prabandha
