Arulmigu Lakshminarasimma Swamy Temple
அருள்மிகு லக்ஷ்மிநரசிம்ம சுவாமி திருக்கோயில்
Lord Laxmi Narsimha Swamy · Parikkal, Tamil Nadu
Ancient
About the temple
One of the four prominent sacred Narasimha Kshetras of central Tamil Nadu (Parikkal, Singirikudi, Poovarasankuppam, Anthili); holy site where King Vasantharaja prayed to Narasimha to destroy the demon Parakalasura, giving the town its name "Parikkal"; world-renowned as the premier parihara sthalam for overcoming fears, negative energies, and legal disputes. Traditional belief: Complete neutralization of all eight types of severe planetary doshas (Ashta Dosha Nivarana), destruction of evil eye and enemies, peace of mind, and financial recovery.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 20:30
- Established
- 10
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Lord Laxmi Narsimha SwamyGoddess ValliHanumanGaruda Alwar
- Deity form
- Rare and peaceful (Shanta) 6-foot tall stone vigraha of Lord Narasimha with Goddess Lakshmi seated on his left lap, with the Lord embracing Mother Lakshmi with his left arm while holding Shankha and Chakra
- Religious tradition
- Vedic Pancharatra Agamic Tradition & Ashta Dosha Nivarana Heritage
- Sanskrit name
- श्री लक्ष्मीनरसिंह स्वामी मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Parikkal Narasimhar Temple, Shanta Narasimhar Temple Parikkal, Ashta Dosha Nivarana Sthalam
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM
- Break timings
- 12:30 PM - 04:30 PM (Monday to Thursday)
- Special days
- Narasimha Jayanthi, Swati Nakshatram, Vaikunta Ekadashi: 04:30 AM - 11:00 PM
- Festival timings
- Open continuously till 11:00 PM on Swati Nakshatram and festival days
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 07:00 AM
- Midday aarti
- 12:00 PM
- Evening aarti
- 06:00 PM
- Night aarti
- 8:15 PM
- Special aarti days
- Every Swati Nakshatram, Saturdays, Ekadashi, Purattasi Saturdays
- Ritual schedule
- Nitya Thiruvaradhana, Thulasi Archana, Sudarshana Narasimha Homam, Swati Thirumanjanam, Sahasranamarchana, Mangala Harathi
- Pooja timings
- 06:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:15 PM
- Abhishek timings
- Thirumanjanam performed on Swati Nakshatram and Saturdays at 07:00 AM
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- King Vasantharaja of the Chola vassal lineage; expanded by Vijayanagara Emperor Krishnadevaraya
- Architect / builder
- Traditional Tamil stone sthapathis
- Construction materials
- Solid dressed dark granite, brick-lime vimana, brass flagstaff
- Historical events
- King Vasantharaja was plagued by demonic hordes led by Parakalasura; he performed intense yajna; Lord Narasimha manifested with Lakshmi on his lap in Shanta Swaroopa, slaying the demons and blessing the king
- Renovations
- Renovated under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department with new entrance mandapam, marble flooring, and modernized queue corridors
- Archaeological importance
- Crucial Narasimha temple preserving authentic medieval epigraphs and Shanta Narasimha iconography
- Legends
- Goddess Lakshmi embraces Lord Narasimha with maternal tenderness, completely pacifying his Ugra (fury) after the destruction of evil
- Inscriptions
- Stone inscriptions in Tamil dating from the 11th to 16th century recording grants of village lands and perpetual lamps by Chola and Vijayanagara rulers
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Circa 1000 - 1550 CE
- Structure
- Walled rural temple complex with five-tiered entrance Rajagopuram, pillared navaranga, inner sanctum, Kanakavalli Thayar shrine, and sacred temple tank
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Five-tiered 60-foot entrance Rajagopuram embellished with stucco sculptures of Narasimha Avatara and Vishnu legends
- Mandapa
- Pillared Navaranga hall supported by carved granite columns depicting Dashavatara and Vaishnava saints
- Sculptural features
- Magnificent 6-foot stone idol of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha embracing Goddess Lakshmi; standing Kanakavalli Thayar; carved stone Garuda and Hanuman
- Artistic elements
- Intricate ceiling medallions, embossed silver sanctum frames, and brass oil lamps
- Construction technique
- Interlocking monolithic granite block masonry of durable Chola-Vijayanagara design
- Unique features
- The compassionate "Shanta Swaroopa" posture of Lord Narasimha holding Mother Lakshmi in gentle embrace, removing all fear of the ferocious lion incarnation
Festivals & events
- Festival calendar
- Vaikasi Swati (Narasimha Jayanthi), Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi
- Special celebration days
- Every Swati Nakshatram (monthly), Saturdays, Ekadashi
- Cultural events
- Devotional bhajans, Carnatic music concerts, and Harikatha during Narasimha Jayanthi
- Annual events
- Parikkal Lakshmi Narasimha Maha Rathotsavam drawing over 100,000 devotees across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
- Peak crowd season
- October to February, every monthly Swati Nakshatram, and during Purattasi month
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 100+ Vehicles
- Parking fees
- Approx. 20-50 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer
- Prasadam
- Vibhuti/Kumkum.