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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Narasimhaswamy Temple
| image = File:நாமக்கலில் உள்ள நரசிம்மர் ஆலயம்.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Image of the temple entrance with [[Namakkal Fort]] in the background
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|11|13|20|N|78|09|51|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| other_names =
| proper_name =
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Namakkal district|Namakkal]]
| location = [[Namakkal]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Narashima|Narasimhaswamy]] ([[Vishnu]])<br>[[Namagiri (goddess)|Namagiri Tayar]] ([[Lakshmi]])
| facade_direction =
| temple_tank =
| tower =
| Poets =
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian]], [[rock-cut architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}

The '''Narasimhaswamy temple''' is a temple located in [[Namakkal]], a town in the [[Namakkal district]] in the South Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. It is dedicated to the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] god [[Narasimha]], considered an [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. The temple displays [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style of architecture]] and [[Rock-cut architecture]] construction.

The legend of the temple is associated with Narasimha appearing here for his consort [[Lakshmi]] and [[Hanuman]]. Based on the architectural features, historians believe that the temple was built between the 6th and 8th centuries by the [[Athiyaman (Sathiyaputhra)|Adiyaman]] kings.<ref>{{Cite web| title=The Namakkal Caves | url=https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Library%20BOOk%20PDF/NAMAKKAL%20CAVES.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031010428/https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Library%20BOOk%20PDF/NAMAKKAL%20CAVES.pdf | archive-date=2020-10-31}}</ref><ref name="jstor" /><ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/29757426 | jstor=29757426 | title=Nr̥siṁha Cave Temple at Nāmakkal: Its Iconographical Significance | last1=Rajan | first1=V. G. | journal=East and West | date=19 February 1999 | volume=49 | issue=1/4 | pages=189–194 }}</ref>

The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].

==Legend==
As per Hindu legend, Vishnu had assumed the [[avatar]] of Narasimha and killed the [[Asura]] king [[Hiranyakashyapu]].<ref name="A">{{cite book|title=Temples of South India|first=Ambujam |last=Anantharaman|page=149|publisher=East West Books (Madras)|year=2006|isbn=978-81-88661-42-8}}</ref><ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web |year=2011 |title=Sri Anjaneyar temple |url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=892 |access-date=4 November 2015 |publisher=Dinamalar}}</ref> Ages passed by, when [[Lakshmi]], the consort of Vishnu, was angry and performing penance because Narasimha did not forgive Hiranyakashyapu. [[Hanuman]] was carrying a [[shaligram]]a image and requested the disguised Lakshmi to hold it until he returns. Lakshmi was not able to bear the weight of the statue and placed it at the place of the temple, which grew into a mount before Hanuman returned. Narasimha appeared before both of them and set his abode at this place in the stone statue.<ref name="dinamalar" /> This the place where Lakshmi got back into the chest of Vishnu and can be seen even today in the main deity's chest. Narasimha is seen here worshipped by the deities [[Shiva]] and [[Brahma]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fdEkDwAAQBAJ&dq=narayana+suktam&pg=PT94 | title=Karnataka's Rich Heritage – Temple Sculptures & Dancing Apsaras: An Amalgam of Hindu Mythology, Natyasastra and Silpasastra | isbn=978-1-947137-36-3 | last1=Chugh | first1=Lalit | date=23 May 2017 | publisher=Notion Press }}</ref>

As per medieval historians, [[Purandara Dasa|Purandarasa]] (1500 CE), a Kannada [[Haridasa]], known as the Pithamaha (grandfather) of [[Carnatic music]] had visited this place and glorified the God by composing a [[Kannada]] song. In front of Namagiri Narashimhar, he composed his famous song "''Simha Rupanada Sri Hari, Namagirishane''".<ref name="Carnatic Songs - simharUpanAda">{{cite web | url=https://www.karnatik.com/c2446.shtml | title=Carnatic Songs - simharUpanAda }}</ref>

==History==

[[File:Narasimhaswamy temple, Namakkal (8).jpg|thumb|left|300px|View of [[Lakshmi|Namagiri Thayar]] Vimanam]]

{{Multiple image
| caption_align = center
| header_align = center
| align = left
| total_width = 320
| width1 = 2636
| height1 = 3216
| width2 = 2636
| height2 = 3216
| direction = horizontal
| image1 = Namakkal Narasimhaswamy temple 1.JPG
| image2 = Namakkal Narasimhaswamy temple 2.JPG
| footer = Sculptural niches on the walls
}}

The temple is believed to be built during the 6th century CE by the [[Pandya]] or [[Satyaputra]] kings in [[rock-cut architecture]]. The inscriptions found in the Ranganatha temple are believed to be excavated in the same Namakkal hill.<ref name="oct">{{cite book |last=Michell |first=George |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GdBbBAAAQBAJ&dq=namakkal+temple&pg=PT398 |title=Southern India: A Guide to Monuments Sites & Museums |publisher=Roli Books Private Limited |year=2013 |isbn=9788174369031 |pages=398–99}}</ref> Historian Soundara Rajan places the date to a pre-Varagunan I (800–830 CE) era in the 8th century.<ref>{{cite book|title=Rock-cut temple styles: early Pandyan art and the Ellora shrines|last=K.V.|first=Soundara Rajan|publisher=Somaiya Publications|year=1998|isbn=9788170392187|page=59}}</ref> Based on the paleography and rock-cut architecture, [[P. R. Srinivasan]] has placed it at 6th century.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

Most historians have compared the temples with similar architectural elements found in [[Badami Caves]] (6th century) and a possible influence. There are a few inscriptions in the temple, especially an undated inscription in [[Grantha script|Grantha Characters]] of [[Sanskrit]] at the Ranganatha temple which are similar to the inscriptions in the [[Ganesha Ratha]] in [[Mahabalipuram]], which is in another cave in the upper part of the hill.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

Some historians have argued that the [[Azhwars|Alvars]] during the Bhakti tradition have discarded Rock-cut images and hence no mention is found in the [[Nalayira Divya Prabandham]] about this temple. But the argument is disproved by other historians who have quoted rock-cut temples like [[Thirumeyyam]] in [[Pudukottai district]] and [[Ninra Narayana Perumal temple]] in [[Virudhunagar district]] finding mention in the canon.<ref name="jstor">{{cite journal|title=Nr̥siṁha Cave Temple at Nāmakkal: Its Iconographical Significance|jstor=29757426|pages=189–194|last=V.G.|first=Rajan|journal=East and West|volume=49|issue=1/4|date=December 1999|publisher=Istituto Italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente (IsIAO)}}</ref> The records of the details of the inscriptions are found in the ''Annual report of Epigraphy -1961''.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

==Location==
[[File:Narasimhaswamy temple, Namakkal (1).jpg|thumb|300px|Replica of the Main Deity Worshiped by [[Shiva]] (left) and [[Brahma]] (right)]]
The temple is located along Namakkal-Salem road in [[Namakkal]] town, [[Namakkal district]] in [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite book |last=India. Office of the Registrar General |title=Census of India, 1961: Madras Volume 9, Issue 1 of Census of India, 1961, India. Office of the Registrar General |publisher=Manager of Publications |year=1965}}</ref> The temple, carved out of a hill, is located in the downhill of the [[Namakkal Fort]], on the western flank of the hill.<ref name="oct" /> The temple has a flat gateway tower and a second entrance, also with a flat gateway leading to the pillared halls.

The main sanctum sanctorum houses the image of Narasimha in sitting posture, called Asanamurthi with [[Four Kumaras|Sanaka]], [[Four Kumaras|Sanata]], [[Surya]], [[Chandra]], [[Shiva]], and [[Brahma]] worshipping him. He is sported with two hands holding the conch and the Chakra.<ref>{{cite book|title=Monkeys, Motorcycles, and Misadventures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EaTrCgAAQBAJ&dq=namakkal+temple&pg=PT65|page=65|publisher=Leadstart Publishing PvtLtd|year=2015|isbn=9789352013777}}</ref> The sanctum is rock-cut and square in shape with a black background.<ref name="jstor" /> The sanctum has three sculpted cells, two pillars, and a verandah in front of it.

There is a panel depicting the narrative of [[Vamana]], who takes water from the Asura King [[Mahabali]] and later grows as [[Trivikrama]] to crush Mahabali under his feet as per the ''[[Skanda Purana]]''. Historians consider this as a deviation from the monoscenic sculptures in temples of [[Kanchipuram]] and [[Mahabalipuram]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Temple Imagery from Early Mediaeval Peninsular India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HOc9RG6MSzgC&dq=namakkal+temple&pg=PA89|pages=|publisher=Ashgate Publishing|year=2012|last=Verma|first=Archana|isbn=9781409430292}}</ref>

The temple has other sculptural relief on the walls of the temple depicting [[Trivikrama]], Narasimha slaying Hiranyakashipu and Ananta Sayana Vishnu.<ref name="oct" /> The temple tank, Kamalalayam, is located outside the temple.<ref>{{cite book|title=RBS Visitors Guide INDIA - Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu Travel Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c2E7CQAAQBAJ&dq=namakkal+temple&pg=PT455|pages=455–6|publisher=Data And Expo India Pvt Ltd|last=Goyal|first= Ashutosh|isbn=9789380844817|year=2014}}</ref> There are similar rock-cut images in the temple halfway up the Namakkal Fort.<ref name="oct" /> Dr. S Vasanthi states that the sculpture of "Ugra Narasimha" in the cave was unknown even to the [[Pallavas]] and [[Chalukyas]] and is a very rare sculpture among the other sculptures in the Cave.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Namakkal Caves |url=https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Library%20BOOk%20PDF/NAMAKKAL%20CAVES.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031010428/https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Library%20BOOk%20PDF/NAMAKKAL%20CAVES.pdf |archive-date=2020-10-31}}</ref>

==Influence on people==
=== Sri Purandaradasa ===
[[Purandaradasa|Sri Purandarasa]] (1500 CE), a Kannada Hari dasa, known as ''"Pithamaha of Carnatic music"'' and is considered as incarnation of [[Narada]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sumadhwaseva.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/purandaradasaru-english.pdf|title=Purandara Daasaru Collection - Paneendra N Gautham. For "Sumadhwa Seva" Group|website=Sumadhwaseva.com|access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.madhvaradio.org/purandara.asp|title=New Page 1|website=Madhvaradio.org|access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref> He had visited this temple and composed a [[Kannada]] song, seeing the beauty of the deities, title "''Simha Rupanada Sri Hari, Namagirishane''".<ref name="Carnatic Songs - simharUpanAda"/>

=== Srinivasa Ramanujan ===
The great Indian mathematician [[Srinivasa Ramanujan]] credited his mathematical findings to goddess Namagiri Mahalakshmi, his family deity or [[Kuldevi]]. According to Ramanujan, She appeared to him in visions, proposing mathematical formulas that he would then have to verify. One such event was described by him as follows:<ref>{{cite book |last=Katz |first=Michael |title=Tibetan Dream Yoga |publisher=Bodhi Tree Publications |year=2011}}</ref>
: {{Blockquote|text="While asleep, I had an unusual experience. There was a red screen formed by flowing blood, as it were. I was observing it. Suddenly a hand began to write on the screen. I became all attention. That hand wrote a number of elliptic integrals. They stuck to my mind. As soon as I woke up, I committed them to writing."|author=Ramanujan}}

Furthermore, Ramanujan's mother sought permission from the goddess for Ramanujan to go to [[England]] in a dream.<ref name=Neville293>{{cite journal |last=Neville |first=Eric Harold |year=1942 |title=Srinivasa Ramanujan |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |volume=149 |issue=3776 |pages=292–293 |doi=10.1038/149292a0 |doi-access=free |bibcode=1942Natur.149..292N }}</ref>

==Festival and importance==
The major festivals of the temple is the fifteen-day Panguni Uthiram festival, celebrated during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Panguni'' (March–April) when the image of presiding deities are taken around the streets of the temple in a temple chariot. The sacred marriage of the presiding deity is also performed during the function.<ref>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=40}}</ref>

In modern times, the Namakkal district administration has identified the temple as one of the prominent tourist attractions in the district.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tourist places|url=http://www.namakkal.tn.nic.in/profile.html|year=2011|accessdate=26 November 2015|publisher=Namakkal district administration, Government of Tamil Nadu|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208113113/http://www.namakkal.tn.nic.in/profile.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="dinamalar" />

== Photo gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Namakkal Fort (8).jpg|Aerial view of the temple and [[Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple|Anjaneyar]] facing the temple
File:Narasimhaswamy temple, Namakkal (5).jpg|View of the Mandapam and Kodi Marram in the temple
File:Narasimhaswamy temple, Namakkal (7).jpg|Sculpted pillared halls leading to the cave sanctum
File:Namakkal narasimhar temple1.jpg
File:"Stone Mandapam of Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple 3".JPG
File:"Details on Narasimha Swamy Temple Entrance Wall".JPG
File:Namakkal narasimhar temple7.jpg
File:Namakkal narasimhar temple8.jpg
File:Namakkal narasimhar temple4.jpg
File:Namakkal narasimhar temple5.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Narasimhaswamy Temple, Namakkal}}
* [http://namakkalnarasimhaswamyanjaneyartemple.org/index.html Home page of Anjaneyar temple] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826150855/http://namakkalnarasimhaswamyanjaneyartemple.org/index.html |date=26 August 2019 }}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Namakkal district]]
[[Category:Abhimana temples of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Hindu cave temples in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Namakkal]]
[[Category:Narasimha temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples]]

Narasimhaswamy Temple, Namakkal - Revision history

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