1-Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple – Divya Desam

Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple in  Sholingur is a famous pilgrimage spot in Vellore District in the State of Tamil Nadu in India and one of the 108 Divyadesham (Lord Vishnu temples), with Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy, the 4th Avatharam of Lord Vishnu (Sriman Narayana) as the presiding deity and Sri Amirthavalli Thayar as his consort on top of a 450 foot hill called periya malai (big hill). This Divyadesham is also known as Gatikachalam and Thirukkadigai.. Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam Temple of Lord Vishnu .

The Big Hill Temple has a north facing 5-tiered Rajagopuram (main tower) and 7 kalasams (decorative pots) at the top. A big bali peetam (platform) and Dwajasthambam (flag post) is to the north. The Town Temple where the Utsavar (processional deity) can be seen has no separate flagpost.  A four-pillared mandapam is in the outer prakaram (corridor) of the Perumal shrine. East facing goddess, Amrithavalli Thayar is first worshipped before moving on to the sanctum.

A mandapam leads to Lord Narasimha Perumal’s (Vishnu) shrine and two Dwarapalakas (guards) are at the entrance. Yoga Narasimhar can be seen seated in the sanctum in a yoga posture wearing Chalakkrama with the Sun and Moon at his feet. The other names of the Perumal are “Thakaan” and “Akkarakani”. Akkaram means Money and Wealth.

A frieze depicting the ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu is beautifully depicted. The icons of Lakshmi Narasimhar, Aadiseshan, Chakrathalvar, Kannan (Krishna) and Garudalvar are placed on a wooden Platform.

Festivals

Festivals celebrated in Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple include the Chittirai Brahmotsavam (April – May), Avani Pavitrotsavam (August – September purifying event), Margazhi Padi Utsavam (December – January), Navaratri (Dusshera), Kartikai (November – December), the girivalam on the 2nd 3rd days of Thai and Mukkoti Dwadasi. Worshipping on Thursdays is considered of significance here.

Temple Pooja Daily Schedule

Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple remains open between 8 am to 5.30 pm

How to reach

By Air

Nearest Airport: Chennai

By Road

Sholingur is around 120 KMs from Chennai (Guindy) near Arakkonam. Several routes are there to reach Sholingur. As direct buses to Arakkonam are less from Chennai, we can try via Tiruttani or Kanchipuram.

By Rail

Nearest Railway Station: Sholingur station.