Nava Narasimha Ahobilam

Bharghava Narasimha



6kms from Lower Ahobilam is Bharghava Narasimha temple. One has to go through a rugged muddy road to the foot of the temple and then climb 130steps to reach the temple.

Parasurama while on his theertha yatra reached here and wanted darshan of Narasimha. Answering his prayers, Lord Narayana presented the Dasavathara display. Narasimha is seen here in his Hiranya Samhara posture.

Yoga Narasimha




On completion of Hiranya Samhara, Narasimha came here to the west of Lower Ahobilam and rested in a yogic posture. It was here that he initiated a few yogic mantras to Prahalada.

Chatravada Narasimha


Half a km East of Yoga Narasimha is Chatravada Narasimha, the most handsome of the Nava Narasimha temples. At the end of the Hiranya Samhara, Narasimha was in an angry state. In an effort to cool him down, two Gandharva musicians, Aaha and Oohoo are said to have played music. Pleased with their music, a happy Narasimha is believed to have patted on his lap tapping in to their music.
In recognition of their role, one finds their sculptures at this temple.

Pavana Narasimha
This is the most difficult of the nava narasimha temples to reach. One will have to take special jeep to reach this temple or walk through a tough 6hour trip across a rocky terrain to reach this temple.

Returning after the completion of Hiranya Samhara, an angry narasimha’s eyes fell on the beautiful Senjulakshmi of the Ahobilam hills. Lured by her beauty and wanting to marry her, he displayed his love by searching the entire hilly region to find non vegetarian food for Senjulakshmi, a resident of this place.

In memory of this event, every Saturday, the residents of this region present a hen as food to Lakshmi Narasimha at this temple.

Lakshmi Narasimha is seen in a seated posture with serpant God atop him. Lakshmi is seen sitting on his left lap.

Malola Narasimha
After Hiranya Samhara, this is the place where narasimha got back together with Lakshmi once again. He is seen with his left leg folded, his right leg hanging down with Lakshmi on his left lap.

Malola Naraimha, the utsava deity, is the processional deity of Ahobila Jeer.

Theppa Utsavam Srirangam

Fourth day of the Float Festival
Only day in the year when Namperumal takes an evening ride on the Silver Garuda Vahana

1000years ago, the float festival in Srirangam was held in the Cauvery with Namperumal alongside Nachiyars.On one such occasion, Sorcerers, using their magic powers, created a flood like scenario in the cauvery and Namperumal and Nachiyars were taken away by the floods.

Hearing this untoward event on a big occasion, Koora Narayana Jeer, a disciple of Koorathazhvaan, rushed to the place and twisting the darbha on his right finger pulled back Lord Namperumal to the banks of the Cauvery.

Given this negative turn of events, Koora Narayana Jeer, about 900years ago, created a tank to the west of the Srirangam Ranganatha temple and the float festival has since been organized here on the first day of Maasi. No more was the float festival celebrated in the Cauvery and it became a Maasi Festival.

Koora Jeer, who is credited with saving the Lord from the Sorcerers and for the continuation of this festival, is paid special respects on the last day of the festival.

Koora Jeer is also believed to have slightly turned the direction of the Cauvery away from the Srirangam temple to prevent flooding at the temple.

Krishnadeva Raya's contributionLegend has it that Vijayanagara King Krishnadeva Raya, who patronized several Vaishnavite temples and who contributed in no small measure, was the one made this into a big festival that one sees today. However, this festival has come to be referred to as the Maasi Float Festival.

Namperumal atop the Silver Garuda

On the fourth morning of the 9day festival, Lord Namperumal sitting in the comfort of a palanquin and listening the chanting of Vedas and Naalayira Divya Prabhandham takes a long 6hour processional trip to the Thathachariar Gardens on the Melur Road stopping at over 25locations on the way.

After a 5 hour rest there in the cool of the Thathachariar Gardens, during which time the devotees are treated to a sumptuous lunch by the Thathachariar family, Namperumal begins his trip back to the temple at 6pm on a Silver Garuda Vahana.

This is the only day in the year when Namperumal rides on the Silver Garuda Vahana in the evening.

He is finally back at his abode at 930pm after spending the whole day providing darshan to the devotees.

Thondaradipodi's Thirupalli Ezhuchi

Its twilight time, wake up and provide darshan




சுடர் ஒளி பரந்தன சூழ் திசை எல்லாம்
துன்னிய தாரகை மின்னொளி சுருங்கிப்

படர் ஒழி பசுத்தனன் பனி மதி இவனோ
பாயிருள் அகன்றது, பைம் பொழிற் கமுகின்

மடலிடைக் கீறி வண் பாளைகள் நாற
வைகறை கூர்ந்தது மாருதம் இதுவோ

அடல் ஒளி திகழ் தரு திகிரி அம் தடக்கை
அரங்கத்தம்மா பள்ளி எழுந்தருளாயே


With the stars disappearing and the moon fading, there's twilight.
Darkness of the night is now set to give way to the brightness of the morning
that has a sweet fragrance with the cool wind of the early morning.

Setting the stage thus, Thondaradipodi requests the Lord to wake up and provide darshan to those waiting for him this morning.

Punnai Nallur Rama temple renovation

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article1131749.ece

(This featured in The Hindu dated 28th January 2011)

Thondaradipodi Azhvaar's Thirumaalai Paasuram

I would deny ruling Indra's empire for the opportunity to sing praise of the Lord of Srirangam


பச்சை மா மலை போல் மேனி பவளவாய்
கமலச் செங்கண்

அச்சுதா அமரர் ஏறே, ஆயர் தம்
கொழுந்தே என்னும்

இச் சவை தவிர யான் போய்
இந்திர லோகம் ஆளும்

அச் சுவை பெறினும் வேண்டேன்
அரங்க மா நகருளானே


Thondaradipodi Azhvaar in this Thirumaalai verse says that he would not even accept the opportunity of ruling Indra's kingdom if that meant being denied the happiness of praising the Lord of Srirangam. He says further, that even if the Lord himself gave it to him, he would refuse it for there is nothing more joyful than being present in Srirangam and singing praise of the Lord of Arangam-Nagar!!!

Thirumalai Vaiyavoor Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal

Hanuman stayed here with the Sanjeevi mountain



Located about 75kms South of Madras off Padalam on the GST Highway is the Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple in Thirumalai Vaiyavoor. One has to climb 500steps to reach the temple. There is also a road that takes one directly to the temple.

The Story

Hanuman while carrying the Sanjeevi hill is believed to have stayed here. Without placing the hill on the ground, he transferred mountain from his right hand to left. Hence this place is referred to as ‘Vaiyaa’ ‘Oor’.

Lord Srinivasa is seen in a standing posture with Adisesha atop him. After defeating Asura Hiranya, Lord Vishnu in his Varaha Avatar asked Garuda to bring from Vaikuntam a mountain where he could play and enjoy himself. Garuda went all the way to Vaikuntam and while on his way back, a piece fell on the banks of Paali river. Garuda placed the mountain on the banks of Swarnmukhi river. It is here that Garuda had Vishwaroopa darshan of the Lord.

Construction
King Thondaiman is said to have built the temple as a thanking gesture to the Lord, who helped him win his battle. 500years ago, Vijayanagar kind Thodarmal contributed to renovations at the temple and initiated festivals at this temple.

Ramanuja’s stay
Prior to his Pancha Samskaram at Eri Kaatha Rama temple at Madurantakam, Ramanuja is believed to have stayed here in a Yogic Posture before making the trip south wards to Madurantakam.

Quick Facts
Moolavar: Prasanna Venkatesan East Facing standing posture
Thaayar: Alarmel Mangai
Temple Time: 8am-12noon and 4pm-7pm
Priest: Devaraja Bhattar@ 94432 39005

Festivals
Puratasi and Chitrai Brahmotsavam
Sravana Theerthavari
Thai Utsavam

How to reach

One can take the Chennai-Tindivanam/Villupuram express bus and get down at Padalam. Share autos /Autos from Padalam to this temple

There are direct buses from Chengalpet.

Thirumangai Vedu Pari December 2010

How a king turned minstrel
The story of Thirumangai Mannan is enacted at the Srirangam temple


The last of the Azhwars - Thirumangai Azhwar - made a significant contribution, visiting and singing the praise of Lord Vishnu in over 85 temples (Divya Desams). While all other Azhwars got things done by showing love and devotion to the Lord, Thirumangai Azhwar alone was different. The only Azhwar with a spear in his hand, he was aggressive, so much so that even the Lord had to humour him to make him sing His praise - a couple of cases in point being Tiru Indalur and Tiru Ninravur Divya Desams.

Initiated into Vaishnavism

Born in Tiru Kuraiyulur, 2 km from Tiruvali-Tirunagari near Sirkazhi, Thirumangai Mannan (king), who belonged to the Kallar Community, fell in love with the beautiful Kumudavalli of Annan Koil (another Divya Desam near Sirkazhi). To get Thirumangai Mannan initiated into Vaishnavism and devoted to Lord Vishnu, Kumudavalli laid down tough ‘wedding' conditions, one of which was to feed 1,008 Vaishnavites every day. Tirumangai Mannan, in this attempt, lost a lot of his wealth. But determined to fulfil her conditions, he turned a thief and resorted to ‘stealing.'

One night, Thirumangai saw a newly married couple, decked with jewellery, coming his way. It was Lord Ranganatha of Tirunagari taking along with him Amruthavalli Thayar of Tiruvali. In that darkness, in Vedarajapuram (the village between Tiruvali and Tirunagari), Tirumangai waylaid the couple threatening them with his spear.

Having relieved the two of their jewellery, Thirumangai put the booty in a bag but found it too heavy to even lift it from the ground. Lord Ranganatha revealed himself and initiated the bandit king into the ‘Ashtakshara Mantra.' The divine couple appeared in their wedding splendour, a sight that moved the reformed ruler, who became Thirumangai Azhwar.



Thirumangai Azhwar wanted Margazhi Festival to be a Tamil Divya Prabhandam festival as against just the Vedic recital that existed before his time. The 10-day ‘Era Pathu' festival called ‘Thiruvoimozhi Thirunaal' was specially created for the Lord to listen to the beautiful compositions of Nammazhwar.

At the Ranganatha temple in Srirangam, the story of ‘Vedu Pari' is enacted every year as part of the eighth day celebrations of the Era Pathu festival.

The episode took place last week. Namperumal seated atop a golden horse was brought to the sand expanse on the eastern side of the temple.

The deity held in his right hand a sword, javelin and arrows while his left hand held the reins. A speciality was the performance of Kona Vaiyali (zig-zag fast-paced movement).

The gathering was also treated to an enactment of Vedu Pari as young members of the Kallar community armed with long sticks surrounded the deity. Thirumangai, who earlier in the evening walked in as the king (Mannan) with a bow and arrow in hand, was seen in a completely different form at the end of the Vedu Pari, dressed as Azhwar, one who had just received the initiation of the Ashtakshara Mantra.

The drama was followed by a ceremony, where the list of the Lord's jewels was read out.

Rare kind

The events of this annual Vedu Pari Utsavam came to an end with Veena Ekantham, a unique and the only one of its kind veena presentation. Srirangam is the only Divya Desam where this Yaazh Isai tradition of waking up the Lord and putting him to sleep is followed.

Namperumal listened in peace for almost an hour from 1 a.m. to the sweet tunes of the four-member Sathya Kootam Veena Vidwans (Srinivasan, Ramanujam, Govindan and Gopalakrishnan) and their presentation of Thirumangai Azhwar's paasurams.

Their final song on the Vedu Pari night – ‘Eth Sariga Sathanambu Ekantha Ranga' (Vijaya Ranga Sokka Nathar's composition) put Namperumal to sleep after a long and tiring evening with the Lord entering his sanctum at around 2 a.m.

It was Ramanuja, who wanted the veena recital to be an integral part of the daily routine at the Srirangam temple and gave it the most sacred role - that of both waking up the Lord as well as putting him to sleep.

Ramanuja assigned ‘Sathya Kootam,' a clan that belonged to a village near Srirangam for the Yaazh Isai performance. Thus began a tradition at the Ranganatha temple in Srirangam.

This has come to be included in the Limca book of records and the now 76-year old former National College (Tiruchi) Vice-Principal, Veena G. Rangarajan is noted as the 45th descendent of this tradition.

Vedu Pari Highlights

* 8th day of Thiruvoimozhi Thirunal celebrated as Vedu Pari.

* 900-year old ‘Veena Ekantham' tradition.

* Only occasion of Kona Vaiyali inside the temple.



During the 10-day Era Pathu festival, the artists present Yaazh Isai for about an hour every evening. Interestingly, while the daily morning and evening recitals are solo performances with the artist seated, Veena Ekantham during the Era Pathu Thiruvoimozhi festival is presented with the artists standing, the veena tied to their shoulder. In all, they present around 250 paasurams during this Tamil Prabandham festival. In addition, they also present kritis of other composers, including Tyagaraja and Dikshitar.

The tunes are elegant and simple in its presentation and in a conversational style. It takes ten years for an artist to attain proficiency. First, they master the repertoire vocally; then learn to play the veena and finally present the hymns on the instrument.

Different ragas

Every morning at around 5.15, the veena vidwans present for about 30 minutes Thondaradipodi Azhwar's 10 beautiful verses called Thiruppalli Yezhuchi to awaken Lord Ranganatha. The 10 verses of Thondaradipodi are set in five different ragas, one for every two verses - Bhoopalam, Bilahari, Dhanyasi, Malaya Marutham and Saveri.

In the evening for about 20 minutes, from 10 p.m., the team presents Kulasekara Azhwar's Paasurams to put the Lord to sleep. The ragas are Neelambari, Ananda Bhairavi, Sahana, Revati and the recital ends with Neelambari.

They present this daily veena recital for 262 days (there are no recitals on some special festival days) in a year. They also present the recital on another 29 festival days. They were paid Rs. 2.48 a month for their divine service! It is heard that even this miniscule payment has been stopped.

This Story featured in The Hindu Friday Features today ( 31st December 2010)

Periya Thirumozhi Thiru Venkatam Pasuram

Forgive the sins of my Youth



தெரியேன் பாலகனாய், பல தீமைகள் செய்துமிட்டேன்
பெரியேன் ஆயினபின் பிறர்க்கே உழைத்து ஏழை ஆனேன்

கரி சேர் பூம் பொழில் சூழ் கன மா மலை வேங்கடவா
அரியே, வந்து அடைந்தேன் அடியேனை ஆட்கொண்டருளே

Similar to his first Periya Thirumozhi verse, Thirumangai here laments the
sinful and wicked things he did as a young lad.

He says, as he grew up, he worked for others and became poor.

Finally, having experienced the good and bad in life, he says,
he has come here to Thiru Venkatam, where the Lord is surrounded by elephants and groves, to offer himself in complete service of the Lord.

He wonders if the Lord will accept his service!!!

Sirupuliyur Divya Desam

The Bird versus the Serpent
Baala Sayana posture of Lord Kripasamudran is a special feature at the divya desam




Renovation is under way at the Sirupuliyur Kripasamudra Perumal temple, a divya desam, whose legend dates back to Garuda Puranam, where one finds reference to the battle of words between Adisesha and Garuda, the Lord's vehicle, as to who played a more important role in their service to Lord Vishnu.

Seeking a solution to their argument, the two arrived at Sirupuliyur and finally looked up to the Lord himself for his opinion. Finding Garuda a little arrogant in his argument, Lord Vishnu, who appeared as Kripasamudran, went in favour of Adisesha. Fearing an angry reaction from the bird, Adisesha looked for protection and was asked by Lord Kripasamudran to coil himself and lie under him. Unhappy with the decision going against him, it is believed that Garuda decided not to fly over this place. Another story goes that the aged Rishi Vyaakrapadha undertook penance at Chidambaram invoking the blessings of Lord Nataraja for attaining moksham. The rishi was directed to go westwards to Srirangam as Lord Ranganatha was the one equipped with the power to grant Moksham.

Owing to his poor eye sight, the rishi lost his way, went southward and reached Kripa Samudiram. Unable to walk any further, he sat in penance at Sirupuliyur. The Lord appeared in his full sayana posture like the one in Srirangam. Since the sage was not able to take in the big form with his feeble eye sight, He appeared in the form of a child - Baala Sayana.

Azhwar surprised

When Thiru Mangai Azhwar visited this place, initially he felt let down by the tiny size of the Lord. Thirumangai, who had seen different displays and different forms of Lord Vishnu, was then impressed upon by Kripasamudra Perumal that this was indeed something very special and that he should savour for the moment. Then he could come to Thiru Kannamangai (Divya Desam about 25 km south-west of Sirupuliyur) for a darshan of his full form in a standing posture. A happy Thirumangai showered 10 verses of praise on Kripasamudra Perumal in his Periya Thirumozhi referring to the Lord as Sala Sayana Perumal and also making a specific reference to Adisesha.

Prarthana sthalam

As this was the place where Kripasamudra Perumal accorded a special status to Adisesha by placing him above Garuda, this temple is of special significance for relief from Naaga Dosha and Kaala Sarpa Dosha. This is the only divya desam where there is a separate temple for Adisesha.

In addition to the overall renovation including the 75-feet five-tier Raja Gopuram and reconstruction of mandapas, the temple is also looking to build a new Hamsa and Simha Vaahana as well a new chariot. Those interested in contributing to this cause can contact: 99946 48980/ 04366 233477/04144 220425

Quick facts...

Moolavar: Kripasamudra Perumal in a south-facing Bhujanga Sayana posture

Thaayar: Thirumaa Magal Nachiyar

Temple Time: 7 a.m.-12 noon and 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Important festivals: 10-day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi and 3-day Avataara Utsavam in Maasi.

How to reach the temple

Sirupuliyur is about 15 km south of Mayiladuturai near Kollumangudi off the Mayavaram-Tiruvarur Highway. One can get down at Kollumangudi and take an auto (Rs. 30) to reach this Divya Desam.

The above story featured in The Hindu Friday Features on 10th December 2010

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/12/10/stories/2010121050580300.htm

Araiyar Sevai - Saving a rare Art

Changing Times - From Thirukurungudi Araiyar to Infosys Araiyar

One of my first temple stories was on the Araiyar of Srivilliputhur in early 2007. In the time that has passed, India has seen a severe slowdown. Broadly, the country seems to have come unscathed as can be seen from the frantic hiring by the IT companies.

This is no IT story, though as you will see at the end there could be an IT connection to this!!!

Its that time of the year when the renowned Araiyar Sevai, a visual song and dance enactment of the ‘Paasurams’ that has been performed at Divya Desams for over 1000 years will be seen at its best. The Tamil Calendar month of Margazhi will see Pagal Pathu and Era Pathu Utsavams in Vaishnavite temples where the Araiyars present the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham during the 21day festival.

A ritual that was once performed in several Divya Desams is now down to three in Tamil Nadu- Srirangam, Srivilliputhur and Azhvaar Thirunagari (near Tirunelveli).

Origins
The Araiyar originated in Thirukurungudi, a Divya Desam 40kms from Tirunelveli. Legend has it that the Lord used to listen to Araiyar’s Abhinayam hiding behind a wall in Bashyam Street (South Mada Street). In recognition of this significant event, one still finds the name of this street in Tirunelveli’s Gazette.

Who are Araiyars
Araiyars (King of Music) are descendents of Nathamuni, who is said to have introduced the Araiyar Sevai. Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam himself gave the Araiyars the right to perform the unique musical chanting at the temples and presented them with the cone-like cap, two cymbals and the sacred garland (which they wear around their neck when they perform).

The Araiyars first recite the Paasuram, they then explain its inner meaning and finally perform the Abhinaya, a unique art/dance performance with their hands and legs explaining the Paasurams with special musical effect.

The Araiyar Sevai requires a deep knowledge and understanding of the Paasurams. It is not an easy art, as can be seen from the fact that it takes nearly 20 years to learn and perfect the ‘Abhinaya’.

One of the special ‘Araiyar Sevai’ occasions that is of particular significance is during the Paghal Pathu (10 days) and the Era Pathu (10 days after Vaikunta Ekadesi), when one is treated to a real spectacle with the Araiyars enacting the ‘Story of Andal’ growing into a young beautiful girl through their Abhinaya.

Will Araiyar Sevai become a thing of the past?
Between the slow down and the recovery, we are possibly seeing a dramatic change in the lifestyle of Araiyars.

One Araiyar is now flying high, literally – he has become a pilot, another has just completed BE in Computer Science and might soon land up a job at one of India’s high profile IT companies.

50years ago, they took up jobs as teachers in Schools. Today, they are moving into high pressure jobs in Corporates.

Of worry is the fact that only a handful of Araiyars are keeping this most difficult art going and even they seem to be giving into the lure of the financial world. It is possibly true that they have lived a financially insecure and unstable life for several decades without any form of support, either from the temple or elsewhere.

And hence, the next generation of Araiyars will move to cities like Madras and it is quite possible that we may soon see a deterioration in the enactment of the paasurams, the beginnings of which were seen last year at the Prabhandham Festival in Srirangam where the Araiyars fumbled with the Paasurams and forgot the steps!!!

Araiyars by location vs Araiyars by Profession
In centuries gone by, Araiyars used to be known by the place they belonged to. Hence, you would find a Thirukurungudi Araiyar, Srivilliputhur Araiyar, Thirukannapuram Araiyar, Srirangam Araiyar and so on.

Some time in the near future, they could be known by 'Infosys Araiyar' and 'Pilot Ariayar'.

In some sense, it is a shame that we are losing sight of history, not just the society at large but also those few sacred people who offer their divine services at temples.

In many ways, it is a reflection of the direction that the world is headed towards – A materialistic way of life is the standard norm and not the exception anymore.When one looks back in time, we will find that we have come through lot more difficult phases in history (did we not see the duels between Azhvaars and Nayanmars, did we not protet Srirangam from the Islamic invasion) and hence we should be able to get through this testing phase as well.

Meter Gauge Trains

Over the next year or two, we will sadly see the end of meter gauge lines in Tamil Nadu bringing to end an era where people travelled in smaller compartments, by slower trains, stayed under the bulbs ( lighting) and sat on wooden seats!!! And yet did not seem to complain.

Its another matter that no more do we drink water from the village pumps on the rice fields of Thanjavur or Nellai or travel by cycle rickshaws in Madras and hence not having meter gauge trains seems to be yet another obvious sign of development!!!

With the last phase of gauge conversion (meter gauge to broad gauge) currently taking place, there are only a few sections in Tamil Nadu that still officially remain meter gauge- Madurai-Coimbatore (now Podanur) section, Mayavaram- Tiruvarur, Madurai- Bodi, Tirunelveli- Ambasamudram-Tenkasi and Shengottai-Quilon.

Possibly in 2011-12, we will see the end of meter gauge lines in Tamil Nadu and one more nostalgia of the 'Black & White' days will get into the history books.

Below is a photograph of a meter gauge train moving towards Madurai from Dindigul in its final days ( this section too has got converted to broad gauge)

Cycle Rickshaws

A photo that brings old memories - CycleRickshaws/Entyce
The Rickshaw man fighting it out for survival



Cycle Rickshaws used to be a oft used mode of transport in the 1970s in Madras and other parts of Tamil Nadu.

I made a few cycle rickshaw trips in the 1970s in Madras.

And the school uniform in most of my early school years were from entyce, which forms the background to this photograph.

In the last two decades people have not taken a liking to either of these with few exceptions like this one on West Chitrai Street Madurai.

Given this scenario, it is heartening to note that Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival, the annual festival that celebrates 'Madras that was' in the month of Margazhi, has taken up the cause of the cycle rickshaws in their own little way by organising Heritage trips around Mylapore on the cycle rickshaws.

If not for anything, it will at least take people back to the good old days when they did not feel it odd or shy to travel on a cycle rickshaw discussing on the way all kinds of things with the rickshaw man ranging from the latest MGR movie to political developments in Tamil Nadu and from the local Ranji Trophy match to Sunil Gavaskar scoring 36runs in 60overs under our own Venkataraghavan's captaincy in a World Cup match.

Periya Thirumozhi Thiruvallikeni

This is the only verse in his Periya Thirumozhi where Thirumangai Azhvaar refers to all the four brothers and Sita.

பரதனும் தம்பி சத்ருக்னனும்
இலகுமனோடு மைதிலியும்

இரவும் நன் பகலும் துதி செய்ய நின்ற
இராவனந்தகனை எம்மானை

குரவமே கமழும் குளிர் போழிலூட
குயிலோடு மயில்கள் நின்ற ஆழ

இரவியின் கதிர்கள் நுழைதல் செய்தரியாத்
திருவல்லிக்கேணி கண்டேனே


Thirumangai says that he found here at Thiruvallikeni the handsome Lord Rama surrounded by his three brothers Bharatha, Satrugana and Lakshmana with Sita by his side, amidst cool groves where birds sing and peacocks dance...

Interestingly, Thirumangai also adds that the huge trees here make it difficult for the Sun to pierce into this place.

Karanja Narasimha Ahobilam

Lord provided darshan to Anjaneya in a special form with bow in hand, chakra and as Narasimha


Located 6kms from Lower Ahobilam en-route to Ahobila Narasimha Divya Desam (Singavelkundram) is the Karanja Narasimha temple in Upper Ahobilam, west of the Garudathri Mountain and part of the Nava Narasimha temples in Ahobilam.

The Story

Wanting darshan of his favourite Lord, Anjaneya undertook penance under the Karanja tree at this place.

To test the sincerity of Anjaneya, Lord Narayana appeared before him in his Half-Lion –Half Man Narasimha form. Anjaneya was disappointed not to be blessed by Lord Rama himself.

When Narasimha tried to convince Anjaneya that he was the same as Rama and was only in a different form, Anjaneya dismissed this suggestion saying his Lord was handsome and was one with the bow in hand. And that what he was seeing in front of him was one with very long nails in a fiery posture.

Anjaneya threatened to continue his penance till he had darshan of Rama. Pleased with his devotion for Rama, Narasimha provided Anjaneya darshan in a special form with a bow in his left hand ( like Rama), with Adisesha on top and holding the chakra ( like Narayana) and the half lion-half man Narasimha Avatar, thus convincing Anjaneya that Narayana, Rama and Narasimha were one and the same.

Hence, at this temple one finds Karanja Narasimha with a bow in hand and with a chakra. Anjaneya is seen in a standing posture with folded hands with his face turned towards Karanja Narasimha.

600 Year Old Mandapam
There is a 600 year old 100 pillar mandapam where from the First Jeer of Ahobila Mutt is believed to have delivered lectures.

Priest : Ramesh Bhattar @94418 02368 or Veeraraghava Archagar @ 96032 27118
Temple Time : 9am-4pm

How to reach
From Lower Ahobilam, one can take a share auto (Rs.10per head) to reach this temple
Individual Auto from Lower Ahobilam will cost Rs.60-75/-

Triplicane and Mylapore reference by Thirumangai

மீன் அமர் பொய்கை நாள்மலர் கொய்வான்
வேட்கையினோடு சென்று இழந்த

கான் அமர் வேழும் கை எடுத்து அலற
கரா அதன் காலினைக் கதுவ

ஆனையின் துயரம் தீரப் புள் ஊர்ந்து
சென்று நின்று ஆழி தொட்டானைத்
தேன் மலர் சோலை மாட மா மயிலைத்
திருவல்லிகேனிக் கண்டேனே

Thirumangai in his Periya Thirumozhi verse on Thiruvellikeni talks about
Mylapore and Triplicane in one go indicating that there were big groves and mansions
in Mylapore.

Interestingly, he states that the Lord resides in Mylapore and that he has seen Him in Triplicane, an indication of the history of these two locations in Madras and how they were referred in the same breath in those days.