Presiding Deity: Mukundanayakan, Azhagiasingar
Also called: Azhagiasinga Perumal
Goddess Mother: Velukkai Valli
Vimanam (Tower): Kanaga Vimanam
Holy spring: Kanaga Saras, Hema Saras
Sung by: Managalasasanam by Peyazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar
Scriptural name: Thiruvelukkai
Place: Kancheepuram
District : Kancheepuram
Sage Bruhu had the Darshan of the Lord in this shrine.
History:
Of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Narasimhavathara is highly respected in the Vaishnavite world. It is in this avathar, the Lord appeared instantly to protect Prahladha from the cruelties of his father Hiranya, showing how concerned was he with his devotees.
The word Vel means desire. After killing Hiranya, Sri Narasimha yearned for peace and chose this place. Hence the name Velirukkai, which in course of time changed as Velukkai.
While Brahmma, the God of Creation was performing a Yagna; the demons came and threatened to spoil it. Brahmma appealed to Narasimha who came out of a cave named Hasthisailam and drove the demons. They were lost in Kancheepuram during the chase. The Lord stayed in Kancheepuram as Yoga Narasimha facing the west. The Lord is also known as Aal Ari and Mukundanayagan.
Reputation:
Of the 108 Divya Desas, Kancheepuram is one. According to Scriptures, Sage Bruhu had the Darshan of the Lord below the Kanaga Vimanam in a standing position facing east. Peyazhwar, in his hymns, compares this shrine equal to Kumbakonam Uppiliappan and Tirupathi temples, which is an ample testimony for the reputation of the shrine.
Swami Desikan has praised the Lord of this temple in his Kamashikashtakam, which if recited daily would bring all benefits showered by Lord Narasimha. This is also known as Kamashika Narasimha Sannidhi. Sudharsana Azhwar has a separate Sannidhi in the temple. Garudazhwar in front of Narasimha appears with a bend of his head as if not able to bear the heat of the Lord..
The Temple is open from 7.00 to 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 to 7.30 p.m. The temple is about a kilometer from Kancheepuram bus stand. Temple contact No. 044-6727 1692. Nearest railway station is Kancheepuram and the airport Chennai.
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