DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | CholaNaadu |
CholaNaadu | 22thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Lord
Vishnu who undertook the Narasimha Avataram at Ahobilam (Andhra Pradesh), once
again displayed the Narasimha Avataram to saptha rishis, who undertook penance
at Sholingur. Hence, this is said to be the one of the most sacred of “Divya
Desams on the Hill” in Tamil Nadu. Located about 90kms west of Chennai (and about
25kms from Arakkonam and 40kms from Tiruttani), atop a hill on a single stone
is the Lord Narasimha Divya Desam in Sholingur, also called Chozha-Simha-Puram
and Thiru Kadigai. This is also referred to as UtheeCheerangam (North
Srirangam).
There
are two temples of significance here- the Yoga Narasimha temple at Periya Malai
(the big hill) and the Yoga Chathurbhuja Anjaneyar temple at Chinna Malai (the
small hill).
Like
Tirupati, this is also on top of a hill. It is located at an altitude of 750
feet. And, one has to climb 1305 steep steps to reach the temple. After 800-odd
steps, there are a few rather steep curves. Once we negotiate these, there we
come to final 100-odd steep and straight steps, leading into the temple. One
has to walk the steps to arrive at this temple. There is no other
transportation mode to reach this hill temple. You have to really sweat it out
physically to have an audience with this Lord! Many attempts by well meaning
people to provide a bus route and other means of transport have come to a
naught. Devotees, young and old alike, make a slow step-by-step climb to savor
the ultimate pleasure of having the glimpse of Lord Yoga Narasimha, seated ever
so comfortably in a yogic posture. East of this Sannidhi in another hill is the
Yoga Anjaneya Sannidhi (one has to climb another about 406 steps to reach the
Sannidhi atop the chinna malai).
Sage
Vishwamitra, who undertook penance here, was blessed with ‘Brahmma Rishi’ by
Lord Narasimha, within 24 minutes (One Kadigai/ One ‘Naazhigai’). Following the
foot steps of the great sage, Saptha Rishis too undertook penance here at
Sholingur wanting a darshan of the Narasimha Avataaram and hoping to get the
darshan within 24 minutes!! Hence, it is believed that one who stays here for
24 minutes will attain Moksham. During his rule, the great Chozha king,
Karikaala Chozhan, called this region Thiru Kadigai.
Kadikachalam
is the name of this temple. Kadigai means 24 minutes. Lord Narasimha, it was
said, had granted seven rishis moksha (liberation from this world), when they
meditated for a Kadigai.
Narasimha
is the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the Dasavathara. Lord Narasimha,
after slaying the demon, Hiranyakashipu, in the Narasimha avatar reached this
hill to bless the saptha rishis, who were doing penance at the Kadikachalam
hill. The sapta (seven) rishis are: Vasistha, Kasyapa, Athiri, Jamadagni,
Gautama,Bharathwaja and Viswamitra. They did penance at this hill for a Kadigai
(24 minutes), prostrating before Lord Narasimha. Lord Narasimha protected his
devotee Prahalada after slaying demon Hiranyakashipu and reached here straight
from Ahobilam (in Andhra Pradesh) and granted moksha to these Maharishis. Hence
this place came to be called as Kadikachalam. Those who worship this Lord for a
Kadigai, they will be blessed by this God. It is also believed that Sage
Viswamithra meditated here for a Kadigai and obtained the Brahma Rishi title.
Kadikachala Kshetra Mahatmiyam is described in Brahma Kaivartha Purana.
This
temple is also among the 108 Divya Desams (Vishnu shrines). Tirumangai Azhwar
has called Lord Narasimha as Akkarakani (nectar).The Vimanam or the temple
tower is known as Hemakoti Vimanam. The Goddess (big) of this temple is known
as Amirtha Valli Thayar. She blesses the devotees with boons (yielding,
prosperity, longevity and happiness). The utsava (small) Goddess is known as
Sudhavalli thayar. The unique feature of this temple is that Lord Yoga
Narasimha (big deity) on the hill-top is seated in a yoga asana with Salagrama
Hara (necklace) and Chaturbuja (four arms). HE holds Sanka (conch) and Chakra
(discus) on two arms. The other two arms signify a meditative posture. Lord
Narasimha, it is said, opens his eyes from HIS meditationonly during the Tamil
month of Karthigai, which falls on November-December months, and blesses his
devotees. Hence, HE has delegated HIS authority to Goddess Amirtha Valli
Thayar, who grants instantly boons to the devotees who come to this temple.
Stories
are aplenty in this little hamlet on how devotees were cured of various
diseases and other evil spirits. Goddess Amirtha Valli comes in the dream of
devotees who stay here on vrath (seva) for a few days. Often, SHE cures their
disease and fulfils their wishes. As we hear such incidents from a few
devotees, we stand literally frozen. One has to see to believe. They have
unquestionable faith in this Lord. Many visit this temple quite frequently with
their family to show their gratitude to the Lord who has fulfilled their
wishes. These hill temples are located at Kondapalyam, near Sholingur. Many
frequently visit this temple and stay in choultries and other rooms available
at the foothills.
It
is customary for the devotees to take a bath in the temple tank known as Takkan
Kulam also known as Brahma Tirtham. It is round-shaped and a very big tank.
People take a dip here before starting to climb the hills to have a darshan of
the Lord. There is also a temple for Hanuman or Anjaneya in this place. It is
also atop a hill. One has to climbaround 400 steps to have a darshan of Hanuman.
Steps here are also equally steep.
Hanuman
has four arms (chatusbuja) with a Sanka and Chakra in two arms. Here Hamuman is
known as Yoga Anjaneya. HE is also seated in a yogic posture with a Jap Mala
and Jap Sanka and meditating upon Lord Narasimhan.Lord Rama Patabisheka is
engraved on his Krida (crown) of Hanuman. Lord Hanuman here protects devotees
and grants them various boons. Nowhere else in India is Lord Hanuman seen with
Sanka and Chakra given by Lord Narasimha himself to protect the devotees.
Hence, a visit to this temple will definitely ensure devotees a prosperous
life.
As
we climb the big hill, it is really a tough experience. The overhead steel
shade makes the climb somewhat less difficult. You can see many peddling
eatables and water bags and making a living out of selling. You see monkeys
freely moving around all the way, as though they are asserting their tenancy
right. Unmindful of the heat, they roam around the steps looking to pounce on
soft targets. Sure enough, they do mange to find their targets. Well, devotees
appear unmindful of the aggressors and give up very easily. After all, these
monkeys pounce on them to find their food. Many carry sticks to ward off the
threat from monkeys! More often, the monkeys win over men! Since Lord Hanuman
lives here, HIS family of monkeys also has its dwelling place in these temple
hills. They are very tricky customers. From plucking the fruits to scaring away
devotees and fighting with their colleagues they evoke a range of emotions
(fear, excitement, anger and what not). They are quite efficient in plucking
the flowers adorned by female devotees on their heads. Hence, many visitors
dont keep flowers on their head. The monkeys, however, keep away when we say
Rama to protect ourselves. Anjaneya (and HIS family) is the foremost disciple
of Lord Rama.
The
Utsava (small) deity is known as Bhaktavatsalar. HE resides in the plain (not
in the hills). There is a separate temple in Sholingur town for the small deity
Bhaktavatsalar with Goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side. It is an old
temple dating back to many years. This place was previously known as Chola
Simha Puram. It later came to be known as Sholingapuram. This utsava deity is
brought to the hilltop only a few days in a year - during Narasimha Jayanthi,
the birth star of the Lord Narasimha; when hoisting the flag or the
Dwajaarohana (Chitirai Utsavam) during Brahmotsavam (performed for ten days)
every year; and during the Kalyana (Vivaha Mahotsavam) in March known as
Panguni Uthiram. The divine marriage of Goddess Sudhavalli Thayar with
Bhaktochitar is performed in the hilltop. The Lord is also brought back during
the Dwajaavarohana or while bringing the flag down on the ninth day, a day
before the finish of the Brahmotsavam festival. There is also a sannadhi for
Adi Keshava in the Sholingur town temple.
Interestingly
enough, Sholingur has one more temple at the foothills near the Takkan kulam.
This temple is a link between Kanchipuram Varadaraja and a Swamy known as
Dottacharya. Swamy Dottacharya had done essential service to the Lord at the
Sholingur hills. Dottacharya Swami used to visit Kanchipuram Varadaraja Swamy
every year. He was unable to do so once because of ill health. He felt very sad
and recited five slokams composed on Lord Varadaraja. At that point of time,
the Brahmotsavam festival was going on at Kanchipuram. Lord Varadaraja was
seated on Garuda Vahana.While Swamy Dottacharya chanted the slokams, Lord
Varadaraja disappeared from the Garuda Vahana at Kanchipuram even as the
Pujaris stood stumped. Lord Varadaraja appeared on the banks of Takkan Kulam
(temple tank) in front of Dottacharya Swami. Hence, a temple was built here.
This event dates back to nearly 400 years. After giving darshan to Dottacharya
Swami, Lord Varadaraja re-appeared at Kanchipuram and the Pujaris were
overjoyed. It shows the benevolence of the Lord towards his devotees.
Utsava
deity Bhaktavatsalar comes in a Girivalam once every year at Sholingur. This
takes place on the third day after Pongal in the month of Thai (January). Many
devotees - young and old - go in girivalam at this time. It is indeed an
exhilarating experience as it continues into night and ends the next morning.
The Lord visits each and every small hamlet located around the hills. The
devotees welcome the Lord with fruits, flowers, coconuts and garlands during
the occasion. All along, one could see a festive atmosphere. While Lord
Bhaktavatsalar travels these places, devotees follow HIM during the girivalam
overnight and reach the temple at Sholingur town the next morning.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Yoganarasimhar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Amruthavalli |
|
Theertham |
Brahma Theertham |
People worship here to
resolve mental disability, witchcraft and incureable disease. For conjugal
problem, sterility and marriage impediments, the devotees offer prayers and are
alleviated from their distress.
Various
festivals are celebrated in the temple, with the Chittirai Brahmotsavam during
the Tamil of Chittirai (during April - May),
Karthigai Thiruvizha during November - December and Narasimha Jayanthi
during Vaikasi (May - June) being the most prominent.
HOW
TO REACH:
Sholingur
town is located in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. Vellore is the district
headquarters and is about 43 kms away from Sholingur. The nearest metro is
Chennai, about 120 km south-east. A famous pilgrimage centre in the vicinity of
Sholingur is Thiruttani, 25 kms away. ( Home to Lord Murgua, who is again
seated on a hilltop).
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Yoga Narasimha
Swamy Thirukkoil,
Sholingar,
Vellore,
Tamil Nadu - 631102.
LOCATION:
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