Ferocious Narasimha Temple at Keelapavoor,Tirunelveli
Keelapavoor is a small village 2 kms away from Pavoorthatram located in the route between Tenkasi and Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. This temple is also called Dhakshina Ahobila (south Ahobila) is considered to be 1200-1500 years old. During the renovation work carried out in the temple several inscriptions belonging to the Pandya and Chola kings were discovered.
As per the temple legends, around 300 years ago, the sound of Lions roar used to come from the temple. Devotees then performed abhishekam for the lord with various coolants like coconut water etc.
The main deity is Alermel Manga,Padmavathy sametha Prasanna Venkatesha swami, and Lord Narasimha is carved on the wall just behind the main deity.He is seen in the form of Ugra Narasimha with 16 hands. The scriptures(Pancharatra Agama) talk of 70 forms of Lord Narsimha with different weapons,postures etc. This is one of the forms. Such a fierce Narasimha can be seen only in Ahobila Jwala Narasimha or in Singirikudi near cuddalore.Paanaka (Jaggery water mixed with lemon juice) is offered to the deity in the temple and distributed as prasada. Devotees visit this temple in large numbers to get rid of their problems from enemies (internal and external). On Swati Nakshatra , birth star of the Lord, the temple sees lots of visitors.
Ugra Narasimha has the demon Hiranyakasipu lying on his lap sitting facing east. Out of his sixteen hands six are inside Hiranyakasipu’s abdomen, two arms holding the intestines of the demon king like a garland and the other eight hands holding divine weapons including the Sudarsana chakra (disc) and conch. At his feet are Hiraynakasipu’s wife Kayadu, Prahalada, King Kasi Pandiyan and Narada Maharishi. On the either side of the Lord’s head, there are carvings of hand-fans. His tongue is protruding out with left leg folded and right leg over another slain demon.
While the temple is small, the temple pond is many times bigger. Situated in a green tree filled area, this temple is a must visit.There is a temple for Lord Shiva (Vallipureeshwarar, worshiped by Vaali) in the same village. The Navaneetha krishnan temple is also well known.
Temple Timings: 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM
Temple Priest: Anandan – 9442330643.
