Thirukadigai temple

DIVYA DESAMS - 64/108 - THIRUKADIGAI

Name of the Divya Desam : Yoga Narasimhar temple

Location : Sholingur, North Arcot Dist

Moolavar (Presiding Deity) : Sri Yoga Narasimhar

Thayaar (Consort) : Amruthavalli Thayar

Thirukkolam (Posture) : Vettrirundha (Sitting)

Thirumugam (Facing) : East

Mangalasasanam (Hymns sung by) :

Peyazhwar, Nammazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar

Sthalapurana (Brief History) :

As per legend, upon the completion of the purpose of Ramavataram, Sri Rama intended to leave the mortal world here; desirous of being with him, Sri Hanuman accompanied Him here. Saptharishis who were desirous of having a darshan of Lord Vishnu here, were troubled by the demons.

With Sri Rama's blessings Hanuman vanquished the demons. Rama provided the saptarishis with a vision of Narasimha Avataram and an elated Hanuman bearing a conch and discus that had been given to him by Rama stood on the nearby hill.

As per another legend Sage Vishwamitra worshipped Lord Vishnu for a 'kadigai' (represents fraction of time, approx 30mins) and earned the title Bhrammarishi. Hence the name of this place is Thirukadigai. It is believed that Budhan (Mercury) worshipped here and was relieved of a curse that had been placed on him by Durvasa muni.

About the temple:

Kadikachalam Hill (Big hill) with 1305 steps enshrines Yoga Narasimhar in a seated posture facing east; Amruthavalli Thayar blesses from a separate sannadhi.

The smaller hill with 407 steps enshrines Yoga Anjaneyar, with four arms, two holding a conch and a discus. This temple has two towers and the Hanuman theertham and the Rama theertham. The Pandava theertham is situated at the bottom of this hill.

In the ground temple, the festival image of Bhaktavatsala Perumal is enshrined. There is also a shrine to Adikesava Perumal here. It is said that even during the time of Karikal Cholan, this region of Tamilnadu was referred to as Kadikaikkottam.

It is believed that even being here for a Kadigai would liberate one from the cycle of births and deaths and hence the name Kadikachalam.

Swamy Dhottachar (nephew of Sri Ramanujar) used to worship Lord Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram on the third day of Brahmotsavam every year. Once during the festival he was sick and could not visit Kanchi and thus missed the Seva. Dhottachar got thoroughly worried, offered prayers to Lord Varadharajar sitting on the banks of Brahma Theertham at Sholinghur.

Lord Varadarajar of Kanchi, pleased by the prayers of Swamy Dhottachar, appeared before him on Garuda Vahanam (enroute to the big hill - Yoga Narasimhar shrine). This incident resulted in a ritual called Dhottachar Seva performed on the third day of Brahmotsavam at Kanchi Varadarajar Temple.