Patalathri Narasimhar Temple Kanchipuram

SRI PATALATHRI NARASIMHA TEMPLE

Singaperumal Koil, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India

God

Narasimha is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The presiding deity housed in the sanctum in a cave is a rock-cut image, in seated posture with his right leg bent and left leg left hanging Narasimha has four hands with two of the top hands holding his conch and Chakra, while the other two hands showing Abaya Mudra and Uru hasta (resting on his lap) Ugra Narasimha is sported with a third eye on his forehead, which is usually a feature of Shiva temples.

Goddess

Goddesses Ahobilavalli is consrot of Lord Narasimha, on the right to Narasimhar and Andal’s shrine is to his left.

Interesting Facts

The performance of Arathi is unique here, Temple priest will show us third eye during arathi by lifting the thirunamam.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37 °C during the day and 21 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (27 °C during day and 18 °C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the Temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at Temple.

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the Temple Premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Chengalpattu Bus Stand	8.1 KM	18004194287
Chengalpattu Railway Station	11.1 KM	139
Chennai International Airport	31.7 KM	044-24796360

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Chengalpattu Railway Station	11.1 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Chennai International Airport	31.7 KM	044-24796360

Architecture

'Patalam' means 'Red', 'Athri' means 'Hill'. As Lord Narasimha appeared here furiously with Red Eyes and huge as a mount,the place came to be known as 'Patalathri'. The earliest inscription found in the walls of the temple are from the 9th century, mentioning about the King Raja Raja Chola-I (Reign‎: 985 to 1014 CE). As you enter, you’ll see the pedestal, Flagtree and statues of 10 primary incarnations (Dasavatharams) of Lord Vishnu. Walking to the left will take you to the main sanctum. There are numerous inscriptions from the period of 10th to 11th century, indicating about gifts offered to the temple by different people around the regime. The shrine of Garuda facing Narasimhar, the eagle mount of Vishnu, is located axial to the central shrine The central shrine is approached through Mahamandapa, the worship hall and a narrow Ardha mandapam The flagpost is located behind the shrine of Garuda, axial to the central shrine and the gateway tower There are images of Azhwars in the worship hall on both sides and the shrine of Ahobilavalli is located in the second precinct The vimana, the roof over the sanctum, has stucco images of various avatars of Vishnu There are separate shrines of Lakshmi Narasimha, Ramanuja, Manavala Mamunigal and Vishwaksena.

Religious Significance

Performing Thirumanjanam on Pradosham Days - Maharshi Jabali performed intense penance in this place seeking the darshan of Lord Sri Narasimha. Lord granted the Rishi his darshan at the Pradosha time (twilight time). Based on the event, Thirumanjanam is performed to the Lord at this time on Pradosha days.

Narasimha slaying Hiranyakasipu - According to the Hindu legend, Singaperumalkoil is referred by a Sanskrit Padalathri. The temple finds mention in Brahmanda Purana, which mentions that Vishnu appeared as Narasimha to the sages performing penance at this place after killing the demon king Hiranyakasipu. Hiranyakasipu was troubling the Devas as he got a boon from Brahma that no human can kill him. His son Prahalada was an ardent devotee of Vishnu, which Hiranyakasipu discouraged. He also tried to slay Prahalada by various means, but was saved by the divine grace of Vishnu. Vishnu took the avatar of Narasimha and appeared from a pillar. Narasimha was a human with lion face and slayed Hiranyakasipu on an evening time in a doorway, which was neither land nor air. His anger was not quenched even after slaying the demon king, but Prahalada sang and prayed Narasimha to calm down, which he acceded to. He is also believed to have quenched his anger by bathing at the temple tank in this place. The water turned is believed to have turned red after the incident.

History

The temple is presumed to have been originated by the Pallava dynasty during the 8th century, who were ruling this portion of Tamilnadu, till 897 CE. Later the Cholas took-over and expanded the temple.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	06:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757