Rock cut temple of Narasimha at Madurai, Othakadai
Temple Name : Yoga Narasimhar Temple, Othakadai, Madurai
City, State and Location : Yaanamalai Othakadai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Prime Deities of the temple : Sri Narasimha and Mahalakshmi . Mahalakshmi is known as
Narasinghavalli
Antiquity/Historicity : Around 5000 Years – It is a rock cut temple carved out of the Yanamalai Hill.
There are several inscriptions which mention the history of the temple.
Temple Highlights: The entire Yanamalai hill is considered as a form of Lord Narasimha. Hence there is no separate flagstaff (Kodi Maram) in this temple. Since the hill is considered as sacred, . Girivalam (circling the entire hill) during Full Moon Day is an important event. Usually, in Narasimha temples the utsava idol would be Srinivasa or a similar form. This would be the only Narasimha temple where the utsava idol is also Narasimha. Lord Narasimha’s incarnation happened during the Pradhosha period (between 4.30 PM and 5.30 PM) of Krishna Pakcha Chathurthi (fourth day from the Full Moon Day). Special Abhisheka pujas are performed to Sri Narasimha during this period for improvement in studies and business.
Temple Timings: 7 AM to 12 Afternoon , 4 PM to 8 PM
How to reach : a) Take a mini bus from Mattuthavani (Madurai Central Bus Stand) bus terminus to Othakadai. b) Take an auto-rickshaw from Mattuthavani Bus terminus or Madurai Central Railway Station to Othakadai. Approximate fare would be Rs. 150 from Madurai Railway station and Rs. 80 from Madurai Central Bus Stand.
Mythology of the Narasimha temple: According to the Sthala Puranam, known as Koodal Manmiyam, sage Romasa had installed the Narasimha idol in a cave in the hill. And the 87th chapter of the Uthara Kandam of the Brahmanda Puranam says the sage did penance on the banks of the tank called Padma Thadagam, as it was filled with lotus flowers, near the Gajagiri Kshethram (the present Yanaimalai) seeking progeny, and wanted the Lord to appear in His Narasimhavatara.The Lord appeared as Ugra Narasimha and the heat that emanated from Him was unbearable. Even the celestials were affected by it and they all came to Gajagiri Kshethram and prayed to the Lord to calm down. The Lord could not be pacified and then they sought the help of Prahlada, whose arrival quietened Him to some extent. They prayed to Goddess Mahalakshmi, who also took Her abode in Him as Narasingavalli, after which He became Yoga Narasimha. The Lord later granted the boon sought by the sage.
Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
