Padalathri Narasimhar Temple, popularly known as the Singaperumal Kovil, is an ancient Temple dedicated to the unique Man-lion Avatar of Vishnu. This place of worship is a rock-cut architecture of the Pallava times, 50 km from Chennai, in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu. While scriptures refer to this location as Padalathri, the place has become more famous as the abode of Narasimha under the name Singa Perumal Kovil, the Temple of the Lord in Lion Form.
Singaperumal Kovil Legend
The Sacred text Brahmanda Purana describes Singaperumal Koil as the place where Vishnu appeared in his Man-Lion form of Narasimha before sages doing penance after slaying the terrible demon King Hiranyakasipu.
Vishnu had to take this unique incarnation of a lion-man to outwit and slay Hiranya, who had done severe penance and obtained some incredible boons that made him almost invincible and, hence, assume himself to be immortal. Emboldened by the protection bestowed by the boons, Hiranya unleashed a reign of terror on all the worlds, harassing the celestials and the humans alike. Strangely, Hiranya’s son Prahlada himself turned out to be an ardent Vishnu devotee; unable to make him fall in line, Hiranya started harming Prahlada when Vishnu emerged as the man-lion Narasimha, who was neither a human nor an animal; caught hold of the demon and took him to his palace entrance, which was neither inside nor outside (the building); placed him on his lap, which was neither the earth nor the sky; tore his chest with his nails, which were not weapons; and slew him on an evening that was neither a Day nor night; thus not violating any of the conditions of the boon the demon obtained!
While Narasimha’s rage continued even after Hiranya’s killing, Prahlada prayed fervently to him to calm down for the welfare of the world. Then Narasimha is believed to have taken a dip in this Temple tank and cooled down. It is said that in the process, the waters of the tank turned red with Hiranya’s blood!
According to another story, Sage Jabali performed severe penance at this place, seeking to see the Narasimha Avatar. Vishnu obliged and appeared before him as Narasimha at the twilight time of Pradosham, as he had initially emerged.
History and Architecture of Singaperumal Kovil Temple
The original structure was a cave Temple of the Pallavas, excavated during the 8th century CE, who had many rock-cut architectural creations to their credit in this region. The Temple also carries inscriptions of the Cholas of the 10th and 11th centuries, the oldest of which belong to the period of the great emperor Raja Raja Chola, indicating that it enjoyed the patronage of many royal dynasties.
Padalathri Narasimhar Temple or Singaperumal Kovil (Temple) spreads across 1.5 acres. We can worship the imposing, 8-foot tall, rock-cut image of the presiding deity Narasimha in the sanctum. He is in his fierce Urga form and in the seated posture with his right leg folded and the left leg hanging down. In his 2 upper hands, he holds the conch and discus while he shows the protective Abhaya Mudra in one of his lower hands and rests his other lower hand on the lap, thus displaying the Uru Mudra. As a unique feature, this Ugra Narasimha also sports a third eye on his forehead, something only Shiva does. Dvarapalas, the guards, can be found on both sides of the sanctum entrance.
His consort Ahobilavalli is housed in a separate shrine, as is the saint-poet and Divine incarnate Andal. Devotees can circumambulate these 2 shrines, but they cannot do the same in Narasimha’s main shrine as it is a cave excavated from a rock. The serene Lakshmi Narasimha, the Lord with his consort Lakshmi, is also there in a separate shrine. The Vimana, the superstructure over the sanctum, projects above the rocky roof of the main shrine and contains the various avatars of Vishnu as stucco images.
Though fundamentally a cave Temple, it has a gateway tower, a flag mast, and a shrine for Vishnu’s mount Garuda facing the sanctum. The pillared halls, Maha Mandapam and Ardha Mandapam lead us to the main shrine.
Singaperumal Kovil Significance and Festivals
This Padalathri Narasimhar Temple holds much religious significance, and people visit it in large numbers throughout the Year. Devotees believe that getting a Darshan of the unique third eye of the principal deity Narasimha here is highly auspicious and can clear all their miseries. The sun rays also fall at the feet of the main deity during the Margazhi and Thai Tamil months (mid-December — mid-February). Many circumambulate the rocky hillock on the Pournami (Full Moon) days, which is regarded as efficacious for getting Divine grace.
The Temple celebrates Narasimha Jayanthi, the Day of the advent of Narasimha when the 14th Moon Chaturdasi combines with Star Swati during Vaishakha month (April-May) with much enthusiasm. They also celebrate the annual Brahmotsavam, when the deities are taken in procession in the streets around the Temple in various mounts; the chariot festival is an important event during this ‘Utsavam.’ The float festival, during which the deities are taken around the Temple tank, also draws many devotees. Chitra Poornima, Krishna Jayanthi, Navaratri, Thiru Karthigai, and Makara Shankaranti are other occasions well celebrated in this Temple.
Benefits of the Singaperumal Kovil Temple Worship
Narasimha appeared instantly to protect his devotee and the world from harm. Hence, people believe this Narasimha worship can safeguard them against all difficulties. In particular, people seeking relief from court cases, litigations, or debts, from the adverse impact of the malefic planet Mars that affects their marriage; those suffering the Saturn aspect or undergoing the major/minor periods of Rahu pray here for Narasimha’s grace. They also worship a holy tree called Azhinjhal behind the Temple by applying sandal paste and Kumkum on it and lighting ghee lamps, and seek early marriage, child boon, educational excellence, etc.
