Thirukkadigai Sholinghur Temple

Introduction

The Thirukkadigai Temple lies in Sholinghur, a village in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, and dedicated to Vishnu. There is a granite wall surrounding the entire temple, which is one of the 108 Divya Desams allocated to Vishnu. People worship Vishnu as Lakshmi Narasimhar and his consort as Thirumamagal. The temple is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the state government.

Legend of Thirukkadigai Temple

Legend has it that a Chola king discovered a Shiva lingam and built a temple there. According to the Brahma Purana, the shrine is called Katikachlam and Chintamani. Sri Vishnu Purana and Sri Padma Purana speak of the greatness of the place.

According to legend, Rama, after slaying Ravana of Lanka, wanted to return to his abode. When Anjaneya expressed his wish to accompany Rama, the latter directed him to protect the Saptarishis. Two demons, Kalan and Keyan, caused disturbance to the Saptarishis, by trying to break their penance. Anjaneya tried to fend off the two demons. Narasimha gave him his sacred conch and holy discus to destroy the two as well as other demons. God appeared before the sages as Narasimha. He directed Anjaneya to sit atop the small hill and bless devotees till the end of Kaliyuga.

History of the Thirukkadigai Temple

According to Hindu scriptures, the place was called Kadigachalam or Thirukkadigai, where devotees need to spend just 24 minutes to attain Moksha (salvation). The Saptarishis wanting a darshan (vision) of Narasimha performed Tapasya (meditation) here and received Moksha within 24 minutes. Sage Vishwamitra got his title of Brahmarishi here, and the place was known as Simhapuram. There are several inscriptions at the foothills and the top, indicating generous contributions from the Chola kings. The Shaivites controlled the town, and there are temple ruins, with unfinished Nandis and stupas.

Architectural Importance of the Thirukkadigai Temple

At the top of the hill, devotees climb a flight of 1,305 steps. Narasimha sits in a yogic posture in a shrine facing East and is called Yogi Narasimha Swamy. The temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram at the hill-top. The Vimana (tapering roof) over the sanctum is called Hemakoti Vimanam. There is no Sthalavriksha at the big hill. His consort Amrithavalli Thayar has a separate shrine. This shrine sits on the Periya Malai (big hill) at 750 feet.

The temple of Hanuman is present on Chinna Malai (small hill) at 350 feet. It is called the Anjenayar Swamy Temple. A Temple Tree (Ashoka tree) is present at the small hill, adjoining the temple tank. The image of the festival deity, Varadarajar, is housed in the lower shrine of the big hill.

People refer to the temple tank as Brahmatheertham, as Brahma performed penance to resolve himself of the sin of one of his five heads being cut off by Shiva. The temple tank lies opposite to the temple, outside the main entrance.

Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal, Periyapiratiyar and Bhoomi Piratiyar are found in the Bhoga (dhyanam) stage in the Malai Adivaaram(foothill), also known as Konda Palayam. There are separate sannidhis (sanctums) for Alwars, Andal, Garuda Vahana Varadaraja Perumal, Erumbiyapa and Thotcharyaar.

Religious Significance of Thirukkadigai Temple

Peyazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar revered Thirukkadigai. The temple is one among the 108 dedicated to Vishnu. Ramanuja considered the temple to be one of the 74 seats to spread Vishitadvaita. Doddacharya, a Vaishnavite saint, followed in the footsteps of Ramanuja and advocated Vishitadvaita. He performed a lot of miracles and impressed Achyuta Deva Raya, a relative of Krishna Deva Raya. The latter gave Doddacharya a lot of donations for the maintenance of temples. The temple celebrates a festival named Doddacharya Utsavam during the Tamil month of Maasi. Doddacharya is given a special place in temple processions during Brahmotsavam.

Rituals and Traditions Associated with Thirukkadigai Temple

According to the Vaikasana Agamic tradition, the temple follows the Thenkalai tradition of worship. The priests perform Poojas daily and during festivals. They perform rituals four times a day - Ushathkalam, Kalasanthi, Sayarakshai, and Ardha Jammam. Each ceremony follows three steps – Alangaram(decoration), Neivethanam (food offering), and Deepa Aradhana (waving of lamps).

The temple performs Abishekam for the principal deity and his consort. Priests use ingredients for the Abhishekam, including milk, honey, sugar, and curd, known as Panchamritam, distributed among the worshippers. Devotees serve the deity by creating temporary halls when God goes in a procession. They build stone halls and developed endowments.

Beliefs Associated with Thirukkadigai Temple

Devotees believe strongly that offering prayers will cure problems like mental disability, incurable diseases, and evil influences of witchcraft. Devotees also offer prayers for marriage impediments, marital problems, and sterility. Others believe Yoga Narasimha Swamy fulfills their prayers due to loss in business, poverty, and old age sorrows.

One of the traditional beliefs is that taking a bath in the temple tank will annihilate a person’s Brahmahathi sin. Devotees make offerings of jaggery, rock candy, and plantain fruits. They also offer curd rice and donate clothes, conduct Abishekam, and Pooja.

The devotees undertake Girivlam (circumambulation of the hill) on Pournami (Full Moon day). In the month of Karthigai, devotees take a bath in the temple tank – Chakra Theertham.

Festivals Celebrated at Thirukkadigai Temple

The temple celebrates the Brahmotsavam festival in the Tamil month of Chithirai, during April-May, the Narasimha Jayanti during Vaikasi in May-June and Karthigai Thiruvizha in November-December.

During the Brahmotsavam festival, the temple car housing the festival deities of Narasimhar and Amritavalli goes around the streets surrounding the temple. Priests perform Utsavams in the Sri Bhaktavatsalar Temple. They conduct special poojas for Thayaar on Fridays, and Anjaneyar on Sundays, and in Karthigai month.