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Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple is located on a hilltop in the town of Sholinghur, about 100 km west of Chennai. It is easily reachable by road.
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Sthalapuranam
According to legend, the sage Vishwamitra received the title of Brahmarishi after praying to Lord Nrusimha for one Kadigai. The word Kadigai indicates the duration of time (also known as nazhighai) which is 24 minutes. Hence the name ‘Thirukkadighai‘.
When Lord Rama left for Sri Vaikunta at the end of His avatar, the ardent devotee Anjaneya expressed his interest in going with Him.
Then Lord Rama asked His devotee Anjaneya to go to Thirukkadighai and end the troubles faced by ‘saptharishis’ performing penance there. Lord Anjaneya fought with the two ‘asuras’ Kaalan and Keyan, and prayed to Lord Rama for success. Lord Rama appeared and gave His divine weapons to Anjaneya. Lord Anjeneya won the battle by using them.
The Saptharishi ended their penance and the Lord appeared as Yoga-Nrusimha and blessed them. The Lord also blessed Anjaneya and instructed him to remain till the end of Kaliyuga at the spot and bless the devotees.
Special Features
The Lord is Yoga Nrusimha Swamy and the Universal Mother is Amruthavalli Thayar. The theertham is Amrutha Theertham. The vimana is ‘Simhakra Vimana’ and Hemakoti Vimana. The Lord resides on the bigger hill while Lord Anjaneya resides on the smaller hill. It is said that these two shrines offer cures to the devotees suffering from mental illnesses. The hill is called Eka-sila Parvat as it is one single stone.
Once there was a Brahmin by the name of Doddachaar living nearby. He used to offer his daily service to the Lord. Every year he used to go to Kanchipuram and worship Sri Varadarajaswamy during the days of the Brahmotsavam. One year due to ill-health and advancing years he could not go. He prayed to the Lord and mentally visualized him. It is said that at Kanchipuram, the Lord disappeared at the festival for a few minutes while he showed up in front of him for the duration.
Today there is a separate shrine to Sri Varadarajaswamy at Sholinghur which is open only during the days of the Brahmotsavam. On the day of the Garuda Vahanam festival at Kanchipuram (on the 3rd day) the Lord comes under the gopuram and a curtain of cloth is drawn hiding the Lord in plain sight to signify His disappearance for a few minutes. ‘Aarti’ is performed to the Lord behind the curtain.
Mangalasasanam
Sthambhevatara
Sthapaneeya vighraha
Lakshmi Nrusimham
Charanam Saranam Prapadye |
Pey Alwar in his Mundraam Thiruvandhadhi (2342) says: Tirumala, the Ocean of Milk and Vaikunta are the ancient temples where the Lord resides. It is like Tirukadigai (Sholinghur) with flowers and swarming bees, and beautiful Tiruvinnagar are places where the Lord, young and vibrant, used to reside long ago before He took control of me.
It is implied that He now resides in my heart alone.’ In Peria Thirumozhi (1731), Thirumangai says: ‘The Lord who is the principle behind the Vedas and the Incomparable One, shines like a golden mountain. He has entered my heart as sweet as sugar and a sweet fruit and He resides on the hill at Thirukkadighai.’
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