Yoga Narasimhar Velachery

Vaishnavite Temples, Chennai District

God

Yoga Narasimhar, facing west

Goddess

Amirthavalli Thaayar, facing east

Other Gods

Aandal, Chakrathaazhwar, Kothandaramar, Anjaneya, Naagar, Bakthavatsala Perumal with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi (processional deities), Vedanarayana Perumal, Azhwars

Yoga Narasimhar Velachery is a small temple with entrances from east and west. The temple and the main deity face west and the Rajagopuram on the western entrance is 3 tiered. The original temple had been damaged vastly and the renovation work had been going on for several years which was completed in 2016. A banyan tree is found with Nagars on the right side of the Dwajasthambam. The shrine consists of the Sanctum, Arthamandapam, and Mahamandapam. The main deity Yoga Narasimhar is a large idol and is in sitting posture facing west. There are several depictions of Narasimha around the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum. Prahalada (upon whose prayers the lord took Narasimha Avatar to kill his Asura father Hiranyakashipu) is seen in front of the main deity instead of the usual Garuda. In the newly constructed outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum you can see the nine forms of Narasimha (Ahobila, Jwala, Malola, Krodha, Kaaranja, Bhargava, Yoga, Chatravada and Paavana Narasimhas). In the outer niches of the sanctum sanctorum are Matsya Avatar, Lakshmi Narasimha, Lakshmi Varaha and Lakshmi Narayana.

Vimaana – Vedapuri Vimanam

Holy water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Yoga Narasimhar Velachery temple is believed to have been constructed during the same period of Dhandeeswarar and Chelliamman temples during the Chola Era. Stone inscriptions mentioning the contributions of Rajaraja Chola, Pallava King Dhandi Varma have been found here. A bronze idol of Veda Narayana from the Pallava period predates the recorded times of this ancient temple.

Legend

Lord Narasimha is believed to have given Darshan to Prahalada here at Yoga Narasimhar Velachery. The presence of Veda Narayanar here is also connected to the story of retrieval of the lost Vedas mentioned in the Dhandeeswarar Temple.

Directions

Yoga Narasimhar Velachery is in the center of Velachery main road. Parking here is a problem.

Stay and Food

Chennai has many hotels and restaurants across all tiers. Velachery bypass road has many restaurants.

Vaishnavite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples