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Abodes of Vishnu

46. Arulmigu Amruthavalli sameda Azhagiyasingar Temple,Thiru Vellukkai

Mulavar   Azhagiya Singar
Utsavar   Mugunda Nayagan
Thayar   Vellukkai Valli, Amrutha Valli
Kshethram    
Pose & Direction   Sitting pose facing East
Theertham   Kanaga saras, Hema saras
Vimanam   Kanaga Vimanam
Sthala Vruksham    
Paadiyavar   Thirumangaialwar , Pei Alwar
Travel Base   Kanchipuram
Nearest Railway Station   Kanchipuram

Location

The temple is just a kilometer far from Kancheepuram bus stop. This temple is situated South of Tiruththanka and about ½ km West of Ashtabujakaram Temple, Kanchipuram.

History

Of the Avatars-incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Sri Narasimha Avatara is considered great representing his “Protection Readiness” for his devotees. In this Avatar he came to the rescue of his devotee instantly from a pillar. After destroying Hiranya, Lord wanted peace. Velukkai is derived from Vel (desire) and irukkai (place of stay), meaning the place where Vishnu desired to stay, which became Velukkai from Velirukkai. It is believed that the original image of the temple was east facing standing posture of Vishnu as he appeared for Bhrigu Maharishi and later appeared as Azhagiya Singar. As per Hindu legend, once there was an argument between Saraswathi, the consort of Brahma and Lakshmi on superiority. They went to Indra, the king of celestial deities. Indra judged Lakshmi as superior and not satisfied with his argument, Saraswathi went to her husband, Brahma. He also chose Lakshmi to be the superior one. Saraswathi was unhappy with the decision and decided to stay away from Brahma. Brahma did a severe penance praying to Vishnu and did an Aswamedha Yagna. Saraswathi was still angry that the yagna, which usually is done along with consorts, was done alone by Brahma. She tried to disrupt the penance in various ways, but Vishnu interfered in all her attempts. After all the demons were killed by Vishnu, who were sent by Saraswati to destroy the yagna (penance) done by Brahma, she sent Kapalika, a demon. Lord Vishnu took the form of Narahari to kill the demon.

Architecture

The presiding deity is Narasimhar (also called Mukunda Nayaka) is depicted in a seated posture, in Yoga position facing East. The temple is located close to the Tiruththanka temple in Vishnu Kanchipuram. The temple has three shrines, one each for the presiding deity Azhagiasingar, one for his consort Amruthavalli and other for Garuda. This temple has a three tiered Rajagopuram and a single prakaram. There are also shrines to Aandaal and the Alwars. The Vimana above the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Narasimha is called Kanaka Vimanam. Sage Brugu had worshipped Perumal in this temple. Sri Sudarsana Chakarathzhwar the deity of Lord Vishnu’s discus graces from a shrine in the outer corridor-prakara. Sri Garuda Bhagwan in the Narasimha shrine appears with his head slightly on a side as if unable to bear the fury of the Lord. This is a strange and different style of Garuda in this temple. Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple is built in a Dravidian style of architecture and the walls are surrounded with granite. The Pushkarani (temple tank) of Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple is called as Kanaga Saras and Hema Saras Pushkarani.

Timings: 7.00 am to 11.00 am, 5.00 pm to 7.30 pm