Lakshmi Narasimha Navaneetha Krishnan Temple

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have a darshan of Lord Narasimha (who is the fourth incarnation of Mahavishnu).

In order to realise his dream, he performed a ‘yagna’ in a place which is now

called Nanganallur. The flames of agni from the yagna reached the Almighty

reclining on the serpent bed. The all-pervading cosmic protector decided to

grant the wish of the sage by appearing before him. Thus, Lord Narasimha, the

epitome of love and compassion, appeared before the sage, sporting sanku and

chakra (conch and disc) and Lakshmi seated on his lap. The sage, on seeing the

dazzling effulgent image of God became ecstactic and stood speechless.

Jamadagni, not satisfied with enjoying the divine form of the Lord, wanted

mankind also to worship Lord Narasimha. Thus, he appealed to God to bless the

devout multitude in the same celestial form. The cosmic couple, Lakshmi and

Narasimha, consented to reside there

to bless the devotees. With no trace of ‘Ugraha’, Lord Narasimha assumed the

form of ‘Shanthamurti’ with Lakshmi. The flames from the agni reached the abode

of Mahavishnu - Sri Vaikuntam. The ‘deepam’ radiated from the sacred fire was so

intense that this place became ‘holy’ and was called ‘Dakshina Deepalayam’ since

it is situated south of the Vindhyas. Thus Dakshina Deepalayam came to be called

‘Nangai Nallur’, as Nangai denotes Mahalakshmi. Since Mahalakshmi resides in

this area, Nangainallur later on became Nanganallur. In MMTC Colony, there was

a spiritual congregation which wanted to build a temple for Lord Krishna and

formed a ‘samajam’ called Sri Krishna Bhakta Jana Sabha in 1974. It chose an

area (koil maniyam) and installed Lord Krishna made of paper mache in a spot

where the temple now exists. S V

Santhanam and M Venkatapathy Naidu were responsible for acquiring the sprawling

ground. The members had an inkling about the presence of some icons buried in

the same area. Even though they had tested the soil, they waited for a ‘divine

intervention’ to progress on the temple. Subburaman and Siva Sankaran roped in

a Namboodhri from Kerala to perform a ‘Ashta Mangala Prasnam’. The divine order

was obvious through the prasnam. It revealed some strange indications. Some

startling discoveries were also made. The answer will be revealed next week.

Lakshmi Narasimha Navaneetha Krishnan Temple – 2 The 'prasnam' performed by

Narayana Unni Namboodri of Kerala revealed that a place of worship had existed

1,500 years ago and the presiding deity was Lakshmi Narasimha and a divine

congregation comprising Lord Navaneetha Krishnan, Sri Lord Rama and Lord

Sinivasa. A fire had destroyed the temple and all the icons got buried. The

divine utterance (prasnam) also suggested that 'Bhoomi Samharshanan' should be

performed. It gave a clear picture of the original layout of the temple, the

mutilated icons along with the pooja items that would be found. Thus, the

sacred bell (mani), camphor stand, etc., were unearthed. Consequently, the

members of the Sri Krishna Bhakta Jana Sabha contacted the Central

Archeological department and A K Seshadri of the department helped them in the

process. Inscrutable are the ways of

God! The findings during excavation matched the declaration of the 'prasnam'.

The archeological department said the shrine should have existed before the

Chola period and there was also a stone inscription. Further exploration

unearthed an icon of Mahavishnu. The members of the samajam, thrilled at the

happening, thought it best to seek the advice of the Sage of Kanchi,

Paramacharya. Known for his prophetic vision, he at once blessed the members on

their 'divine endeavour'. Thus on April 25, 1974, Sudharshana Homam, Sri Sukta

Homam and Bhoomi Pooja were performed on a grand scale. The Paramacharya had

blessed the members with a 'Sudarshana yantra' which was kept in the homam for

some time. This yantra was

consecrated by him during the installation of the Lakshimi Narasimha icon.

Another erudite Sanskrit scholar, Tirukallam Sri Narasimha Raghavachariar,

performed sthala pooja for the temple. Then the construction of the temple was

undertaken in full swing by its members. In order to pool funds for building

the temple, spiritual discourses and music concerts by luminaries were

arranged. The samprokshanam (consecration) of the temple was performed on

December 14, 1974, which coincided with the Tamil month of Karthikai, the day

being Sunday. Karthikai month is referred to as 'Kan Thirantha' month for our

Lion God Narasimha. Karthikai Sundays and Fridays are sacred for Narasimha. His

indelible message is crystal clear. The Almighty will manifest Himself when He

wants to. Probably, he was waiting for an opportune moment to come out! Savants

and pundits performed homam for five days preceding the samprokshanam. A large

number of devotees gathered to have holy communion with Lord Narasimha during

the consecration ceremony. In order to sustain running the temple, the members

instituted the 'Pidi Arisi' thittam by which members would offer rice and money

for the daily offering to the Lord. Lakshmi Narasimha Navaneetha Krishnan

Temple – 3 The sanctum sanctorum of the Lakshmi Narasimha temple is designed

in the form a pillar. After all, the Lion-God manifested Himself from a pillar!

The tall dwajasthambam – flat mast - which stands as a sentinel at the

entrance, was gifted by Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanam. In 1976, a separate

shrine for ‘Veera Anjaneyar’ was consecrated. After a ‘Koti Archana’ (chanting

of one crore mantras) was performed to the Lord from 19/06/1978. When this

mammoth holy event was in progress, kalasa tirumanjanam was performed to

appease the Almighty. It reached a crescendo during ‘Swathi’, the birth star of

Narasimha, when the alankara tirumanjanam was done with sanctity. The

samprokshanam (consecration) to other shrines which make the divine

congregation complete, was performed. Lord Navaneetha Krishnan, dancing atop

the serpent Kalinga - Kalinga Narthana Krishna - mesmerises the devotees with

his bewitching smile. While Lord Krishna’s shrine is on one side of Narasimha,

Lord Rama and His divine set-up is on the other side. A petite icon of Garuda,

Vishnu’s mode of transport, stands in front of Narasimha with great humility,

paying obeisance to his Master. Have you heard of ‘America Anjaneyar’? A

butter-clad icon of Anjaneyar opposite Lord Rama’s shrine has graced his

devotees by sending them overseas. People longing to go abroad pray for his

abundant blessings here. The Lord of Seven Hills waits in a separate enclosure

to bless the devout multitude. Azhwars who extolled Maha Vishnu in the nectar

filled verses of ‘Nalayira Divya Prabandham’ wait with folded hands ready to

have a darshan of the Lord.

The only mystic poetess, Andal, poses coyly behind the Lord in a separate

shrine. ‘Sanjeevi Anjaneyar’ attracts young and old alike on all days. The

religious preceptor Ramanuja, who enunciated Visishtadvaita’ philosophy, and

Sarva tantra Swatantara Vedanta Desika, known for his erudition, a

personification of Sanskrit, are seated effulgently on both extremes inside the

temple premises. The ‘Sudarshana Azhwar’, seated imposingly in a chariot shaped

shrine, looks as if the God is just waiting to soothe the tormented souls.

Another unique feature is that the ‘prayoga chakra’, which was unearthed, is

called ‘Prarthana Chakra’ here. Devotees pray fervently by placing their hands

on this charka. It is believed that the Almighty will grant them their wishes.

Kannadi Maaligai (Hall of Mirrors),

which is a recent addition, is a connoisseur’s delight. The small gopuram which

forms a canopy over the ‘Kannadi Maaligai’ has intricate designs painted on it.

Paintings of Gods and Goddesses decorate the outer walls. The temple, which

looked bare without a gopuram, emerged into full view on September 6, 2001. The

consecration of the towering gopuram was performed by the present pontiff, the

45th Jeeyar of the Ahobila Mutt. To be continued LAKSHMI NARASIMHA

NAVANEETHA KRISHNAN TEMPLE - 4 Nanganallurvasis are blessed to live in the

midst of temples which are steeped in spiritual history and holy activities.

The illustrious and

well-known Sanskrit scholar, Mukkur Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan, performed a couple

of 'yagnas' in this temple. The temple resembled a veritable Narasimha's domain

during that time. Devotees thronged to have a rendezvous with the Lord and the

spiritual preceptor - Mukkur Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan. Since the presiding deity,

Narasimha, incarnated at dusk, that time is worshipped as 'Pradosha Kalam'.

Thus, the pradosha worship is undertaken by the temple authorities. Narasimha

maha mantra is recited by Vedic scholars. Hearing, if not reciting, acts as a

balm to the battered minds declares a devotee who is a regular visitor during

the pradosha time. The 'Maha Pradosha', which occurs twice a month, attracts

the devout multitude from far-off places. Special pooja is done to the Lord and

His congregation. It is festive time throughout the year, starting from

Narasimha Jayanthi, which is celebrated for five days; it reaches its crescendo

on the birthday of the Lord. 'Sudharshana Jayanthi' is celebrated during the

Tamil month of Aani for a couple of days. The five -day 'Pavithra Utsavam'

during Aadi is a visual treat when the idols are garlanded in silken yellow

threads. The mischievous makkan wallah gains importance during Krishna Jayanthi

in Aavani when uriyadi is witnessed by young and old with great enthusiasm. The

10-day Navarathri festival creates a divine aura as the daily thirumanjanam for

the Lord is followed by alankaram (decoration) making the devotees reach sublime

heights. The chanting of slokas reverberates in the atmosphere. Karthikai month

is very significant as it 'Kanthirantha masam'. People surge to have a holy

communion with the Lord. The month of Margazhi is identified with the Almighty

- 'Mathangalil Naan Margazhi'. Andal, the mystique poetess, is

propitiated and her 'Tiruppavai' is recited with fervour and devotion by

everyone. 'Vaikunta Ekadesi' is also observed fervently. Special thirumanjanam

is done for the Lord and He ascends his mode of transport, the Garuda, to bless

his devotees. Thus, 'Garuda Seva' witnesses the milling crowd to have a darshan

to the Lord. Pongal during the month of Thai witnesses many activities. The

'Thiru Kalyana Utsavam' is followed by the renowned Saradu Utsavam. The sacred

yellow thread tied by the groom to the bride during the time of wedding

'muhurtham' is called 'saradu'. Innumerable threads adorn the Goddess, which

are blessed then and distributed to the devotees. People flock the temple to

get this 'saradu'. The 10 day Brahmotsavam transforms the temple into a

'Paradise on earth'. The Lord mounts different 'vahanas' and devotees are

enraptured by the beautiful vision

of the Almighty. Lord Rama's birthday, 'Rama Navami' is, as usual, observed with

great sanctity. Panguni Uthiram, the celestial wedding of Mahavishnu with

Mahalakshmi, takes place to the accompaniment of nagaswaram and the chorus

rendering of 'unjal pattu' by women. The rituals are conducted by the priest.

The members of the Sri Krishna Bakta Jana Sabha are involved in social service

as well. They conduct medical camps and help the physically and mentally

handicapped. Annadhanam is also done and 'go samrakshanam' (looking after the

cows) is undertaken. They want to preserve and promote our priceless treasure,

Vedas, by conducting spiritual discourses. Temples are intrinsic to Indian

culture. Visiting the places of worship vouchsafes bliss and solace. The

members of the Krishna Jana Baktha Sabha are: 1. M.K. Srinivasan 9. D.

Jagannathan 2. K. Siva Sankaran 10. K.Seshadri 3. C.S. Subburaman 11.

Chakravarthi Srinivasan 4. R.S. Krishnan 12.

R. Sunderarajan 5. S. Raghavan 13. Gopala Chakravarthy 6. M. Lakshmanan

14. M.S. Srinivasan 7. S.V. Santhanam 15. N. Narasimhan 8. M.

Venkatapathy 16.

Veeraraghavan 17. R.Raman Address : Lakshmi Narasimha Navaneetha Krishna

temple MMTC Colony, Nanganallur, Chennai - 61

www.ahobilamutt.org/nangai/nangai-temple.html My special thanks to S. Raghavan,

secretary, for providing information about the temple. Concluded part 1

part 2 part 3 part 4 part 3

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