Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal, facing east
Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal, facing east
Alamelumangai Thaayar, facing east
Anjaneya, Naagar, Pancha Narasimhar, Venkatachalapathi, Renganathatar with Renganayaki, Narasimhar with Amirthavalli, Varadarajar with Perundevi Thaayar
Lakshmi Narasimhar Avaniyapuram is a beautiful hill temple. After climbing the first 30 steps you reach the temple of Lakshmi Narasimhar with Goddess Lakshmi on his laps. The unique feature here is that the goddess is also with a Lion face. In this sanctum sanctorum are also processional idols of Narasimha with his consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi and another Narasimha separately. Thus there are 3 deities in the sanctum. Outside the sanctum and to the left of the main deity are the Pancha Narasimhas (Five different forms of Narasimha), facing south. They are Veera Narasimhar, Hiranya Narasimhar, Ugra Narasimhar, Prajalada Narasimhar and Mangala Narasimhar. These idols represent 5 important 108 Divyadesam temples where the main deity is Lord Narasimha. Around the sanctum is a carving of Lord Anjaneya said to have been installed by Sage Vasishta.
Further up from this shrine after climbng another 60 steps or so is the temple for Lord Venkatachalapathy in standing form. To his right are Lord Mahavishnu in the forms of Renganathar, Yoga Narasimhar and Varadaraja Perumal with their consorts. There are tucked inside the rocks and can be accesses from the circumambulatory passage. Thus at Lakshmi Narasimhar Avaniyapuram, there are a total of Nine Narasimhars blessing the devotees.
As you are about to start your way down, look to your left at the huge rocks on top and you will see the forms of a life sized elephant, a gignatic lion face and the shape of Vinayaka in 3 large rocks. There is a Girivala Path for this holy hill. There is a Thulabaram here to give offerings to the Lord.
Holy Water (Theertham) – Ananda Pushkarini
Vimaanam – Punyakoti Vimaanam
Lakshmi Narasimhar Avaniyapuram is mentioned in the Brahmanda Puranam. The place used to be called Avani Narayanapuram.
Mahavishnu in his Narasimha Avatar is believed to have appeared here as a Swayambu form after the killing of Asura Hiranyakashipu. The original form being a furious one, believed to have cooled down when Lord Brahma performed a Fire sacrifice here. In the process the Lord’s face is believed to have scarred from the fire. His consort seeing this is believed to have also taken the form of a Lion Faced deity to bless the devotees here. Even Garuda here took the same form.The Devas are believed to still worship the lord here at Lakshmi Narasimhar Avaniyapuram as trees in the hill. Sage Brigu is believed to have blessed with the Darshan of the Lord and worshiped him here.
Lakshmi Narasimhar Avaniyapuram is 27 Kilometers northwest of Vandavasi and 15 kilometers before Aarani in the road connecting the two towns. Lakshmi Narasimhar Avaniyapuram is about 22 kilometers south-west of Cheyyar.
None locally. Closest for food would be Cheyyar, Aarani and Vandavasi depending on your travel plan. Stay could be in Kancheepuram.