Singaperumalkovil

Vaishnavite Temples, Chengalpet Taluk

God

Padaladhri Narasimhar, facing east

Goddess

Ahobilavalli Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Garuda, Aandal, Anjaneya, Lakshmi Narasimha, Ramanujar, Manavala Mamunigal, Vishwaksenar

The lord at Singaperumalkovil is a rock cut image in a cave. He is about 8 feet tall and is seen in a seated posture with four hands. The top two hands hold the conch and Discus. The lower hands show Abaya Mudra and rest on the thigh. Lord Padaladhri Narasimhar is seen with a third eye on his forehead, a feature of Lord Shiva. The processional deity is Prahalada Varadhar. The temple tank of Singaperumalkovil is situated south-east of the temple. The single prakaram goes around the temple climbing slightly to cover the rock behind the sanctum. The rays of the sun are said to strike the Lord’s feet in the months between December and February. An Azhinjal (Alangium salvifolium) tree is here behind the sanctum which is considered very holy. The name of the lord, Padaladhri, refers to one with fiery red eyes and as big as a mountain.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Sudhdha Pushkarini

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Parijadham (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis)

History

Singaperumalkovil was originally called by various names like Azhwar Narasingadevar and Narsinga Vinnagar Azhwar. The original temple is believed to have been built as a rock cut temple by the Pallavas. Inscriptions from the Chola period (10 – 11th Century CE) are found here at Singaperumalkovil. The oldest of them is from the period of Rajaraja Chola (985 – 1016 CE) mentioning a gift of 26 sheep for the perpetual lighting of a temple lamp.

Legend

Singaperumalkovil has been referred in the Brahmaanda Puraanam. Lord Vishnu who in his Narasimha Avatar killed Hiranyakashipu gave Darshan in his Ugra (fierce) form to Sage Jaapali here at Singaperumalkovil.

Directions

Singaperumalkovil is about 48 kilometers from Chennai and the temple is located just off the Highway going to Chengalpet right inside the village of Singaperumalkovil.

Stay and Food

Restaurants are available on the Highway near Singaperumalkovil.

Vaishnavite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples