Singiri Koil is a small town, situated at a distance of about
25 km from Vellore and is off the main road from Vellore to Polur. It is an
exclusive shrine for Lord Lakshmi Narasimha and is believed to be at least
1,000 years old.
This 10th century shrine is said to have been built by the local
chieftain, Rajavarman, at the behest of Lord Narasimha, who appeared in his
dream. The temple is not one of the 108 divya desas, neither is it one of the
`abhimaana sthalas.' It is not included in the 108 kshetras visited by Ramanuja
either. Yet it has been visited by millions of devotees. The temple is on a
small hillock, which is nearly 80 to 90 feet high and can be reached after
climbing about 50 steps.The main idols in the sanctum sanctorum is that of Sri
Lakshmi Narasimha. The Lord is seen in a sitting posture with four hands — two
hands hold the conch and the discus, His third (left) hand is on his lap and
fourth (right) hand is around the waist of Goddess Lakshmi. The image of the
Lord is nearly six feet in height.
The Lord with Goddess Lakshmi seated on his right lap is a unique
spectacle. This inimitable posture of the Lord and the Goddess is the main
attraction of the Temple. Thirumanjanam is performed on every Swathi
Nakshatram, which is the birth star of Narasimha.
There is a separate shrine for Sri Lord Anjaneya, who is known
here as Sri Bala Anjaneya. The idol is one foot high. Bala Anjaneya, who
appears like a small child is believed to bestow the boon of parenthood on the
childless. The temple also has a separate shrine for Sri Garuda. Narasimha
Jayanthi, Vaikunda Ekadesi, Ratha Sapthami, Tamil and English New Year and
Purattasi Saturdays are celebrated at this temple at Singri.
Pooja’s
& Festivals: Special pooja’s performed on every Swathi
Nakshatram
Distance:
Vellore
bypass – Kaniyambadi : 25km
Kaniyambadi
: 7km