Lakshmi Narasimhar temple, Pazhaya Seevaram, Kanchipuram

The Lakshmi Narasimhar temple in Kanchipuram, India has been built in the year 1231 and it comes under the list of important temples to visit in Tamil Nadu. Situated at a distance of 45 km from Chennai, it is dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi. This temple is also popular as Pazhaya Seevaram. The most distinctive feature of this temple is its Vijayanagara architecture. It was built during the reign of Kulothunga Chola III and his successor Rajendra Chola III.

Highlights of the temple

Pazhaya Seevaram features an ancient temple dedicated to Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar in a beautiful setting. This temple is situated on a tiny hill near the Palar River. The three rivers Palar (Ksheera Nadhi), Cheyyar (Bahu Nadhi), and Vegavathi (Saraswathi) are reported to converge here to form the Triveni Sangamam. It is revered in the same way as the Ganges is.

Padmagiri is the name of the hill on which the temple is built. The hill can be ascended through a motorable road. The temple is not on the peak of the hill. On the climb up the hill, the temple can be found in a few hundred meters at the midpoint. 

Kanchipuram is famous for its temples and this temple is one of the most important ones. The main deity here is Lord Vishnu as Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar. It is said that the presiding deity of this temple is Swayambu Lingam (self-manifested Lingam). 

The presiding deity of this temple is Lakshmi Narasimhar and it was built by the Chola dynasty in the 7th century AD. The idol in the sanctum sanctorum of this temple has four hands with a conch, discus, mace, bow, and arrow. In the left hand, there is a lotus and the right hand holds a mace. This symbolizes Sreeranga Maha Meru where Lord Vishnu sleeps on Sree Padma (Lotus).

The temple also has shrines for Lord Indra, Shridevi, Lord Brahma, and Lord Shiva. There are also shrines to Lord Muruga in different forms like Karthikeya, Andal, and Subramanya. The main shrine dedicated to Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar faces west while the other shrines face east.

Holier than Prayag

The confluence of three rivers, Palar, Cheyyar, and Vegavathi — also marks the location, and the three rivers may be seen merging at the site from the temple on the hillside. According to Sri Narasimha Sundara Bhattacharya, the temple's octogenarian priest, Dakshina Prayag is a far holier spot than the Triveni Sangamam or Prayag in the north. This is because, while all three rivers are not visible to the human eye in Prayag (river Saraswathi is Antharvahini, running underground), the three rivers may be seen at the confluence in Pazhaiya Seevaram.

Pazhaiya Seevaram Parivettai

Apart from its holiness as a result of the three rivers' confluence, Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram visits the hill temple on the day after Sankaranthi for what is known as "Pazhaiya Seevaram Parivettai".

Parivettai is held in practically all Vishnu temples to commemorate the Lord's victory over evil powers. After the original wooden idol of Atthi Varadar was damaged hundreds of years ago, the current Moolavar idol of Lord Varadaraja at Kanchipuram was sculpted out of a rock, according to legend. Lord Varadaraja is believed to be carried to Pazhaiya Seevaram every year on the day after Sankranthi when thousands of devotees congregate for Vana Bhojanam and Aradhana.

Lord Varadaraja, who leaves his dwelling at 10 p.m. on Sankranthi day, is taken all the way to Pazhaiya Seevaram hamlet at the foot of the hills, escorted by devotees including those reciting Azhwars' Paasurams and Vedas. At noon, he arrives at the Narasimha temple in the middle of the hilltop and then ascends the 140 steps to the Varadaraja Mandapam atop the hill.

He stays in the mandapam till 4 p.m. when the Thirumanjanam (holy bath) and Aradhana rituals take place. Later, the Lord arrives at the Narasimha Shrine, and both Gods are carried to Thiru Mukkoodal, on the opposite side of Palar, where Lord Srinivasa's temple, known as Appan, is located. Darshan is given by the three Gods, as well as the Lords of two additional temples. Later, Lord Varadaraja and Narasimhar return to Pazhaiya Seevaram, and Lord Varadaraja begins his walk back to Kanchipuram late at night, arriving the next morning.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple will be open from 7.30 am – 11 am and 4 pm – 6.30 pm.

How to reach The Lakshmi Narasimhar temple

If you are traveling from Chennai then the best way to reach Kanchipuram is by road. You can enter through any one of these routes depending on your convenience.

By Bus/Car, the route will be Tiruvallur – Chengalpattu – Arani – Thiruverkadu (via Polur)

From Chennai via Guindy – Koyambedu – Tiruvallur High Road – Nellikuppam – ECR Road (via Vandalur).

From Chennai, local trains play via Chennai Central Railway Station – Guindy – Anna Salai (Mount Road) – Tiruvallur High Road– Nellikuppam – ECR Road (via Vandalur)

There are limited parking facilities available. The nearest bus stop is at a distance of 1.2 km from the temple. There are several hotels located in the vicinity of the temple, but it is recommended to stay near Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple, Kanchipuram to avoid commuting trouble.

Taxis, cars, and bikes are available for rent. It is advisable to go by train to reach this destination as there is no airport nearby.

The nearest railway station from Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Pazhaya Seevaram is located a distance of 4 km and the nearest airport is about 44 km away.