7. Polur Lakshmi Nrsimha
Sri Lakshmi Nrsimha Temple located at Polur. Polur is situated on the state highway between Tiruvannamalai and Vellore district. The hill is called Sampathgiri and the main deity is the Swayambu Sri Lakshmi Nrsimha . There are two vultures that fly around the hill and people believe that they are the two brothers Koasthiya and Pularshtriya. The hill which is opposite to Sampatha Giri is called Sapthagiri. It is believed that the 7 sages still reside in this mountain
The Legend
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| Polur Lakshmi Narasimha |
One legend that I came across reading is once A group of workers were breaking down stones on a hill called Sampathgiri in Polur village in Thiruvanamalai district of Tamil Nadu. Workers were busy doing their job. One of the workers spear hit a rock, and for everyone’s shock it started bleeding. They were frightened and left for the day. On the same night, Lord Nrsimha appeared in one of the devotees dream. Lord Nrsimha said that he has come on his own to Sampathgiri as Shanta Murti. Next day, the devotee informed this to the villagers. All villagers came to see the idol. They were all shocked to see the Lord bleed. All the villagers came together and built a place of worship for Lord Nrsimha . A temple was built atop of the hill for Lord Nrsimha . Later people installed Lakshmi- the consort of Lord Narasimha .
Lord Narasimha later invited two brothers namely Sage Kolasthiya and Sage Pulasthiya to this temple. These two Sages were ardent devotees of the Lord . These two sages did penance to please Lord Narasimha . Pleased by their Devotion, Lord Nrsimha gave them a mango. A fight broke up between the two brothers as who would take the mango. In the spur of the moment, Sage Pulasthiya chopped his younger brother Kolasthiya’s hands. Even after losing both hands Sage Kolasthiya continued to worship the lord with great devotion. He took bath at ''seyyar'' for 48 days and circled the Sampathgiri. After 48th day, Kolasthiyar's hands reappeared magically! This not only surprised the sage, but also others present. It was Lord's plan that Ustav Murthi should be installed by Kolasthiya. Lord came in Kolasthiya's dream and gave direction as where the Utsava Murti was. It was in a place called Karapoondi in Seyyar. The sage went to look for the Utsava Murti with the direction given by the lord. He found the Utsava Murti and established a temple.
8. Yoga-Nrsimha of Chintalavadi
Chintalavadi Yoga-Nrsimha temple is situated in a small village called Chintalavadi on the banks of river Kaveri. The place is about 50 KMs from Trichy on the way to Karur. The temple is located in a serene environment with lot of greenery around with trajectory of Kaveri flowing just besides the temple.
The Legend
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| Chintalavadi Yoga Narasimha |
Once Lord Yoga-Nrsimha appeared in dream of a pious Brahmin by name Aryaachar from Srimushnam. The Lord mentioned to the Brahmin that a washerman was actually washing clothes on his back and told him about the exact location. He also asked him to locate the stone on which the washer man was washing and then carry it in a particular direction till the stone gains weight. At the point where he can no longer carry the stone, he asked him to keep it down.
As per the instructions of the Lord, Aryaachar went looking for the washer man and found him. When the stone on which the washer man was washing the clothes was turned they found Lord Yoga-Nrsimha carved on the bottom side of the stone.
Aryaachar then carried the stone in the direction as instructed by Lord and when he came to the banks of Kaveri he had to put it down. This place is Chintalavadi.
Another Legend says that this place was experiencing lot of difficulties like drought, forest fire, etc. At this time Vysarayaru was camping at Srirangam and on hearing the news about Chintalavadi, he apparently travelled there and located the Yoga Nrsimha Vigraha and started worshiping and the place prospered.
9. Namakkal Nrsimha
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| Namakkal Narasimha |
Located about 55 kms from Salem off the Bangalore- Kanyakumari NH 7 is the Nrsimha temple at the Salagram Cave Hill in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. Opposite the Nrsimha temple is the Anjaneya where he is seen in a standing 18 feet tall with a Japamala in hand and a sword in the waist facing Lord Nrsimha . Lord Nrsimha here is depicted with sharp nails used to kill Hiranyakashyapu with palms having stains of blood. There are Janaka, Sanadhanar, Sun, Moon and Brahma around Him. The Lord is generally known as Sri Lakshmi Nrsimha , if goddess Lakshmi is on his lap. In this temple, Sri Mahalakshmi has Her place on the chest of the Lord.The idol is 18 feet tall
The Legend
During the Rama Incarnation, Hanuman had to fly to Himalaya to get Sanjeevni Herb to save Lakshma's life, Hanuman however could not find the Herb so he brought a hill from there and also flew back to replace it. on his return after replacing the hill he stopped to bath in river Gandaki in Nepal, where he found a Salagram Shila and he brought the Shila back.
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| Namakkal Anjanyeya |
While he was flying back sun had risen and Hanuman had to bath and perform his morning rituals, but he could not holding the Salagram as Salagram cannot be placed on earth. That place where Hanuman stopped is the place where Goddess Mahalakshmi was doing Penance. Hanuman determined to do his morning Rituals asked Goddess Mahalakshmi if she can hold the Salagram. Goddess Mahalakshmi agreed on the condition that She would place it down if he did not return with a stipulated time. Lakshmi could not bear the weight and Hanuman could not come in time so Goddess Mahalakshmi placed the Salagram at this place, which grew into a mount before Hanuman could return. when Hanuman returned he tried to lift the Salagram. But he could not lift it. Nrsimha appeared before both of them and set his abode at this place telling Hanuman to proceed to Lanka to help Lord Rama. also Nrsimha said If you want to worship me, you will come here after lord Rama returns to Vaikuntha and pray ever in front of me in Kaliyuga.
Thus Sri Hanuman is even now at Namakkal Sthalam in the western side of the rock standing in the open air, worshipping lord Nrsimha.
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