Veera Narasimha Temple

Veera Narasimha Temple – Thanjavur

Veera Narasimha Temple in Thanjavur- Tamilnadu is one of the three temples which are revered as 108 Divya Deshams together. This is a huge Deity of Lord Narasimha with his consorts on either side. Perhaps a rare sight amongst the temples of Bharat.

Veera Narasimha Temple which is in Thanjavur is one of the three temples of Thanjai Mamami Kovil Divya Desham. The temple is glorified by Bhootathazhwar and Tirumangai Azhwar.

In this divya desham temple there are five deities of Lord Narasimha i.e Sri Veera Narasimha in the Garbha griha, Sri Yoga Narasimha in the mantapa, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha in the prakara of Neelamegha Perumal Temple, Sri Abhayava Narasimha on the Garudazhwar’s vimana
and Kambada (Khambathi) Narasimha on the pillars of Thayar’s temple.

Mahalakshmi is seated on the right-hand side of Lord Narasimha in the prakara of Neelamegha Perumal Temple. Hence Lord is known as Valavandhai Narasimha. It is said that Mahalakshmi chose to be on the right-hand side due to the anger of Lord Narasimha. Those devotees who are short- tempered must worship Mahalakshmi of this temple to get peacefulness.

On the vigraha of Chakrathazhwar or Sudarshana, instead of Sudarshana Dev, there is the Deity of Lord Maha Vishnu. This is the only such vigraha in the world.

Origin of Veera Narasimha Temple

After obtaining nectar from the ocean of milk, Sage Parashara poured it in Manimutha river. He then built his hermitage on the bank of the river and began performing tapasya. Three demons named Thanjaka, Thandaka and Tharakasura who had been granted boons by Lord Shiva, began to harass the sages.

Parashara Muni advised them to stop such tormenting and reform themselves and be good personalities. But demons did not heed his advice.Parashara Muni approached Lord Shiva and requested him to kill them. Lord Shiva sent Mother Kali to kill these demons. In the meantime, the demons had drunk the water of Manimutha river and had become immortal.

Hence Mother Kali could not kill them, and the demons continued their atrocities towards the sages. Sage Parashara then appealed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu immediately rode on his Garuda and came here. He assumed the form of Lord Narasimha and defeated Thanjaka who had assumed the form of an elephant.

Thanjaka begged the Lord to spare him and requested Lord Narasimha to stay in that place and bless devotees. He also requested the Lord to name the place after him. Since then, the place came to be known as Thanjakanur and eventually Thanjavur. It is also called Thaniaiyazhi.

Thandaka hid himself below the earth. Lord Vishnu took Varaha Avatara and killed the demon. Tharaka was killed by Kali Devi. After vanquishing the three demons, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Neelamegha Peruma and gave darshan to Parashara Muni. He graced this place in three forms. These three forms are worshiped in three separate temples.

Brahmotsava is performed grsndly in this temple during the months of April, May and June.