Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Sevilimedu

Vaishnavite Temples, Kancheepuram Taluk

God

Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal, facing east

Goddess

Soundaravalli Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Garudan, Baktha Anjaneya, Vishwaksena, Ananda, Vaikuntavasa Perumal, Poigai Azhwar, Nammazhwar, Ramanujar, Vedanta Desikar

Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Sevilimedu is a large east facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram in the east. The entire temple is situated in one large and spacious Prakaram. The main deity is about 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide. The goddess idol is proportionately large at 5 feet tall. The Garuda idol here is large. The temple is considered very important because this is where Varadarajar of Thirukachi is believed to have taken asylum during the Muslim invasions. We came to know that there is a tunnel connecting this temple with the Varadaraja Perumal through which the processional deities were shifted out. A well from which the great saint Ramanujar is believed to have drawn water to perform ablutions to the lord is present today nearby as Saalaikinaru (well on the road). Another feature we were told was there is a large Pallava Era Well about 6 kilometers away, at the bottom of which is a Mantapa. On Chitra Pournami day the water is drained out and the Utsavar idol of Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Sevilimedu, Soundarya Varadar, is taken and kept here for rituals.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Well (Saalaikinaru)

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Sevilimedu was built by Parameshwara Pallava as per stone inscriptions which would be about 1200 years ago. The Mahamantapam in front of the main sanctum was built by the Vijayanagar Kings and dates back to about 16th to 17th Century CE.

Legend

The name of the village is said to have come about because of the servant of the Pallava Queen who lived here and another version is attributed to the Sevvalli (red water lilies) that were found in the ponds here. The processional deity of Varadaraja Perumal Temple visits this temple on Chitra Pournami day as a mark of acknowledgement of the asylum this temple provided during the days of Muslim invasions.

Directions

Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Sevilimedu is about 6 kilometers south of Kancheepuram town in the road going to Vandavasi. Take a left before the Paalar River bridge at Sevilimedu Village to reach Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Sevilimedu.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Kancheepuram.

Vaishnavite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples