Singri Koil
SINGRI KOIL is a village, situated at a distance of about twenty kilometers from
Vellore. One can approach this place from Kizvallam/Kannamangalam. The tiny village
is famous for the shrine of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy on the top of the hill.
Kannamangalam is around twenty-one kilometers from Vellore and one has to take the
road on the right to reach Singri Koil which is around eight kilometers from
Kannamanglam. On both sides of the road, one can see a beautiful paddy field which
will be feast to the eyes. The sight of the temple on the hilltop will fill your
heart with happiness when seen from the distance. The Gopuram which is seen from a
distance is called ‘kali gopuram’ [meaning empty tower or tower of wind in
Tamil] by us. When we were young we used to climb to the top and play in the
‘kali gopuram’. Today the rocks had come closer therefore to prevent any
eventualities they had closed the path leading to the gopuram.
Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
The temple is on a small hillock, which is nearly a hundred feet high and can be reached after climbing about 50 steps. Small rivulet will be flowing on the foothill. One had to cross the rivulet to step onto the hill is a nature’s gift to enter the temple clean. During the rainy season, the water flow in the river will be heavy. The small temple on the top of the hill mainly consists of big sanctum sanctorum of Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha and sannidhis for Lord Garuda and Lord Anjaneya.
The shrine is around a thousand years old. The inscriptions around the sanctum sanctorum testify to the fact that this temple was built by Nandhi Varman. Apart from having the darshan of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, there are lots of pilgrims who visit this temple to take the blessings from Sri Bala Anjaneya also.
Unique Sri Lakshmi Narashimha Swamy
The main deity Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha is seen in the sitting posture with four hands — two hands hold the conch and the disc, His third (left) hand is on his lap, and the fourth (right) hand is around the waist of Goddess Lakshmi. The image of the Lord is nearly six feet in height. Goddess Lakshmi is seen here sitting on the right lap of the Lord, unlike the other temples where She is situated on the left lap of the Lord. Thirumanjanam is performed on every Swathi Nakshatram, which is the birth star of Narasimha.
Ancient temple and Sri Bala Anjaneya
The shrine is around a thousand years old. The inscriptions around the sanctum sanctorum testify to the fact that this temple was built by Nandhi Varman. Apart from having the darshan of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, there are lots of pilgrims who visit this temple to take the blessings from Sri Bala Anjaneya.
Sri Bala Anjaneya
The shrine for Sri Lord Anjaneya is built separately on the northeast corner of the complex. Since the Lord is seen as a child, He is known as Sri Bala Anjaneya. The Lord is seen in the Anjali hastan, though the idol looks small the ‘keerthi’ of the Lord resounds in the surroundings. He is worshiped here as a deity who bestows parenthood for childless couples. Many couples from Vellore onwards come here to get the blessing of the Lord.
Location of the temple: "Sri Lakshmi Narashima Temple, Singiri, T Nadu"
Experience
Next time when you are planning to visit Vellore or nearby, visit this unique temple at Singri where Lord Narashima is seen with His consort on his right lap. And carry the blessings of Sri Bala Anjaneya also.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [July 2011]
Updates: [Jan 2025]