Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur

Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur is in the Sholingur village of Vellore district. It is one among the 108 Divya Deshams and very famous for Lord Yoga Narasimha and Sri Yoga Anjaneya Swamy. Pey Alwar and Thirumangai Alwar have sung four pasurams in the praise of the Lord here. They revered Sholingur as Thirukkadigai. Ramanujacharya considered Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur to be one of the seventy-four seats to spread Vishitadvaita.

Although Sholingur is famous for Yoga Narasimha Temple Sholingur, there is an ancient swayambhu Shivalinga temple in the town and another temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Outside the town, at a distance are two prominent hills which host the temples of Lord Narasimha, Bhakta Hanuman and Mahalakshmi Thayar known as Amirthavalli. The Deity of Mahalakshmi was installed and worshipped by Kubera. Sapta Rishis had undertook penance here.

As we enter the town, we can see two hills – Peria Malai i.e the big hill, where Lord Yoga Narasimhar resides, and Chinnamalai i.e, small hill where Lord Anjaneya Swamy resides. The village at foothill of these two hills is known as Kondapalayam, Konda means hill and palayam means town. These hills are considered very sacred by devotees. On every Karthika Purnima day, devotees perform pradakshina of the hill to pay their respects.

Why the name Sholingur

Once a Chola King built the temple for Shivalinga and named it as Choleshwara temple. Over a period of time the town came to be known as Chola Lingapuram, later Chola-singapuram (refering to the city of Lord Narasimha) and in due course of time as ‘Sholingapuram’. Now it is known as Sholingur. The ancient name of the town was Thirukkadigai or Ghatikachalam.

Ghatika means span of time, and achalam means which is stagnant, i.e is hill. Here Lord Narasimha gave darshan to Prahlada Maharaj and Sapta Rishis in a short span of time and granted them moksha. Devotees also believe that Lord Narasimha gave darshan to Sapta Rishi for 24 minutes. Hence any devotee who offer prayers to Lord Narasimha for 24 minutes is rid of all the sins.

There is another version of the history related to these 24 minutes of worship. Sage Vishwamitra was performing tapasya in various places for a very long time, to acquire the designation of brahma-rishi. However when he visited this place and performed penance just for 24 minutes (1 kadigai), Lord Narasimha blessed him. Following his footsteps, Sapta Rishis also performed tapasya here.

Deities in Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur

The garbha-griha of Sri Yoga Narasimhar is atop the big hill. It can be accessed by climbing around 1300 steps alternatively ropeway. Lord Narasimha is seated in the yoga posture and facing east. He is adorned with garland embedded with shaligrama stones. Goddess Amirthavalli i.e, Lakshmidevi who is also facing east is worshipped in another shrine. Garuda deva is standing in front of Sri Yoga Narasimhar.

The Lord is in a very peaceful mood in Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur. Thirumangai Azhvar revered Him as Thakkar i.e., the Lord in very peaceful form. Seeing the Lord, Azhwar also called Him as Akkarakani, a very sweet fruit. Thirumanjanam or abhishekam is performed for the Moolavar only on Fridays and on Narasimha Jayanathi day.

There is a small window in the wall opposite to Lord Narasimha, through which Lord gives darshan to Sri Yoga Anjaneya Swamy. On the small hill, Sri Yoga Anjaneya resides. One rarely has darshan of Bhakta Hanuman in the yoga posture. He is seated with shankha and chakra in his upper hands, facing west. He receives abhisheka on every Sunday.

Why Anjaneya is having four hands?

In older times King Indradyumna was ruling Vadamadurai. While he was hunting in the forest, suddenly a deer crossed the road. He chased the deer and reached a place where stood a herd of deer. The deer which he chased was tired and looked at the hunter with eyes filled with tears knowing its end had come. At that time a female deer pleaded the king for the life of the male deer. This touched the heart of the King who gave up hunting – a meaningless cruelty.

Once King Indradyumna was fighting the demon named Kumbhodara. To help the king kill the demon, Lord Indra had given him his chariot and Vajrayudha. The other demigods also gave him their weapons to kill the demon. While the battle ensued, Lord Narasimha requested Anjaneya to help the king. Bhakta Hanuman had assumed four arms to help the King. He continues to give darshan to his devotees in the same form.

Another version suggests that towards the conclusion of Rama avatara, when Lord Rama was ready to depart to Saketa Dham, Hanuman wanted to accompany Him. But Lord Rama directed him to go to Sholingur and protect sapta rishis from the disturbance created by the demons. At that time He had given shankha and chakra to Hanuman.

Some devotees also believe that Hanuman was given shankha and chakra by Lord Narasimha to kill Kala and Keya rakshasas. After that Lord Narasimha instructed Bhakta Hanuman to be situated in this place with four hands and continue to bless devotees till the end of Kali-yuga.

Devotees offer prayers to Lord Yoga Narasimha and to Lord Yoga Anjaneya for curing of problems like mental disability, incurable diseases, and evil influences of witchcraft. Devotees also also offer prayers for removal of marriage impediments, marital problems, sterility and other problems too.

Temple Complex of Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur

Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur undertook development during the reign of the Vijayanagara empire. From the inscriptions of 14^th Century and 17^th Century found nearby, decipts that the temple is very ancient. Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur is in the midst of the town with a Kalyani and Chariot. Swami Dhoddachar is the main responsible person for the development of Sholingur. Sri Acharya Swami, a renowned educationist with the help of Vijayanagara Kings abolished the forest and established the present Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur.

Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur, popularly known as Big Hill Temple is situated exactly in the Kondapalayam village of Sholinghur. There are seven mantapas which are situated in between the foot hill and the entrance of the temple. The Raja gopuram is facing North direction and it consists of 5 Storeys and 7 Kalashas. We can see a big Bali Peetam and flag mast at the northern side. A four pillared Dhuvatha Sarathana Mandapam is at the outer corridor of Lord’s shrine. One has to have darshan of Amirthavalli Thayar first and than Sri Yoga Narasimhar.

Tirthas of Sholingur

There are many sacred tirthas around this town. The important one is Brahma tirtha. It is considered as very auspicious to bathe in this tirtha on Thursdays. When Lord Shiva tore off one of the five heads of Brahma the latter came to this place, dug a pool for his daily bath and worshipped Lord Yoga Narasimha swami till the fifth head of Brahma grew again.

Although the water of Brahma tirtha is potent enough to make one sinless, it also cures many illnesses of people who take bath. The water is assessed by King Institute and certified as a mineral water which is good for health.

Brahma Tirtha is found en-route to hill. It is told that 108 Tirthas reside in Brahma tirtha. It is also known Thakkan Kulam. It has twenty-five steps to get down. Sri Varadaraja Swamy Temple is situated on the banks of this tirtha. Teppostava and Theerthavari to Perumal is celebrated here.

Hanumantha tirtha is on the way to the temple of Lord Anjaneya. It is believed that Anjaneya dug this tirtha. Valmiki rishi is said to have performed penances at one of these tirthas for 87000 years and after that only Lord Narasimha Swamy ordered him to compose Ramayana.

There is another tirtha named as Chakra Tirtha. By bathing in which brahma-hatya dosha is warded off.

Festivals Celebrated in Sri Yoga Narasimhar temple Sholingur

Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur celebrates Brahmotsava festival in the Tamil month of Chaithra (April-May), Narasimha Jayanti during Vaikasi (May-June) and Karthigai Thiruvizha in November-December.

During the Brahmotsava festival, the Utsava Deities of Sri Yoga Narasimhar and Amirthavalli Thayar go around the streets surrounding the temple in the grand decorated chariot.

Karthika month is specially celebrated here as special pujas are performed throughout the month. Large crowds throng the temple during this month.

Temple Timings of Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur

Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur and Sri Yoga Anjaneya temple is open throughout the year everyday, Morning from 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM and evening from 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM.

How to reach Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur?

The best way to reach Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur is to join Tondainadu Divya Desham Yatra by Tirtha Yatra and get your tour organized. All the arrangements are taken care while you focus on worshiping the Lord.

By Road: Sri Yoga Narasimha temple Sholingur is well connected by roadways. It is 225 kms from Bengaluru, 105 kms from Chennai and 70 kms from Tirupati. Taxis are available from these locations.

By Rail: Sholingur railway station is the nearest railway station but frequency of train is less. Arakkonam railway station is also nearest the railway station. It is well-connected with important towns of India.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Tirupati apart from the Chennai airport. Private taxies are available from these airport locations.

Best time to visit Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur

Although you are welcome to visit Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple Sholingur throughout the year, you may plan your visit from November to February. Remaining part of the year is hot. There are 1300 steps to climb, however a shade is constructed over these stairs. Ropeway and dolis are also available.