'Namakkal' or 'Namagiri' is a city and a municipality in Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu. Namakkal is a historic town with reference back to at least 7th century. The name Namakkal derives from Namagiri, which is the name of the single rock formation at the center of the town.Two cave temples at Namakkal were called as 'Adiyendra Vishnugrha' (Sri Ranganatha swamy Temple) and Adiyanavaya Vishnugrha (Narasimha swamy Temple).These Rock cut shrines were built by King '' of Adhiyaman clan descendant. Because of his marriage relations with Pallavas the temples were built of Pallava Architectural style during 7th century.
'Namakkal' is a part of Kongu Nadu or Kongu Desam region of Tamil Nadu which was coveted by both the ancientPallavas and the Pandyas. Namakkal was in the hands of Atiakula King called Gunasila who has marriage with Pallava King. Later the taluk was overrun by the Cholas in the Kongu Mandalam .After the struggle between the Cheras, Cholas and Pandiyas, the Hoysalas rose to power and had control till the 14th century followed by Vijayanagar Kings till 1565 AD. Then the Madurai Nayakas came to power in 1623 AD. Two of the Polygons of Thirumalai Nayak namely, Ramachandra Nayaka and Gatti Mudaliars ruled the Salem area. The Namakkal Fort is reported to have been built by Ramachandra Nayakas. After about 1625 AD, the area came successively under the rule of Muslim Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda Mysore kings and then the Marathas, when about the year 1750 AD. Hyder Ali came to power. During this period, it was a history of power struggle between Hyder Ali and later Tippu, with the British. The Rock Fort in Namakkal is a special feature of the Town. The Fort covers an area of one and half acres of flat surface and is accessible from South-West by a flight of narrow steps. Namakkal was held by Killdhar (Caption) on Hyder Ali until it was captured by British in 1768. For a brief period during late 18th and early 19th century Namakkal was under Tiruchirappalli district of British Rule. Later Namakkal was transferred back to Salem District.
In this temple called 'Arulmigu Narasimha swamy' temple, Sri Namagiri Thayar (Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi) is on the chest of the Lord instead of sitting on His lap.
Once Sri Anjaneya was bathing in Gandaki river, He found a Salagrama in the shape of Lord Vishnu. He flew along with the salagrama and came to this place. He thought of taking a bath but could not as the Salagrama should not be placed on earth. He then saw Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi performing penance and enquired Her. She told him that she wanted to see Lord Narasimha.
Then Sri Anjaneya requested Goddess Sree Mahalakshmi to hold the Salagrama till he returned after a bath. She told that She would keep it down if Anjaneya did not return within a stipulated time. Anjaneya could not come in time. She kept the salagrama down on the earth which Anjaneya could not move. Then the Salagrama gradually grew into a mountain. Lord Narasimha gave darshan to Goddess Mahalakshmi and became 'Sree Lakshmi Narasimha'. From then onwards Lord Anjaneya also stayed here itself.
Here Anjaneya idol who brought Lord Narasimha salagrama is 18 feet tall holding a japamala with the hands and a sword in his waist.
Namagiri Lakshmi Narasimhaswami Temple a beautiful "swayam udbhava" (naturally formed) murti of Lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Narasimha Swami.The ancient cave temple are carved out of an imposing hill.There is a separate shrine for Goddess Namagiri Lakshmi. Namagiri Lakshmi was the family Goddess of the renowned Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujam. Ramanujan credited his acumen to his family goddess, Mahalakshmi of Namakkal. He looked to her for inspiration in his work and claimed to dream of blood drops that symbolised her male consort, Narasimha, after which he would receive visions of scrolls of complex mathematical content unfolding before his eyes. He often said, "An equation for me has no meaning, unless it represents a thought of God. It was in front of Namagiri Narashimhaswami,
Famous Saint Sri Purandaradasa composed the song "Simha Rupanada Sri Hari, Namagirishane".Location:
Visit Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple.
||जय हनुमान ||
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