Sholinghur

Sholinghur Sholingur
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	26,597

Sholinghur is a town and a panchayat union under Walajah Taluk in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, India. Sholinghur is very famous for the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. According to legend, Lord Narayana not only took several incarnations in this world to reform the people, but also sent His messengers as preceptors to perform this function. One such preceptor was Doddacharya of Chozhasimhapuram, now known as Sholingur, who lived nearly 470 years ago performing service to Lord Yoga Narasimhar. The current Doddacharya of the 23rd generation is dedicated to the cause of spreading the glory of Yoga Narasimhar through the website http://www.doddacharya.org

Sholingur also has historical significance. It was here that Sir Eyre Coote fought against Tipu Sultan and Haider Ali in the Second Anglo-Mysore War.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Sholingur had a population of 26,597. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Sholingur has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 66%. In Sholingur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

HISTORY OF LORD YOGA NARASIMMAN AND LORD YOGA ANJANEYAR:

The Lord's Glory:#REDIRECT [[#REDIRECT Insert text#REDIRECT Insert text]]

The glory of Yoga Narasimhar in Sholingur, is attributed to four temples in close proximity (two hill temples, a temple at the foot of the hill and a temple in the Sholingur town). Of these, the two hill temples are the more prominent ones. The salubrious location and the legend surrounding this most powerful deity attract thousands of devotees who throng to this hill temple every day. Miracle cures of psychological ailments, couples being blessed with children, upon the Lord's apparition in their dreams, add to the sanctity of the temple.

Anjaneyar protecting the sages:

This holy place (Divyadesam) has legendary association with Ramayana. When Lord Rama was preparing to end his avatara, he asked Anjaneyar (Hanuman) who was beside him, to reside at Sholingur and protect the seven rishis who were doing a penance. Hanuman slayed two demons who were trying to disrupt the sages. The sages (rishis) were praying to gain a glimpse of Lord Narasimhar, who appeared before them within a Katigai (24 minutes). Also sage Vishwamtirar earned his title Brahmarishi upon praying at this site for a Katigai. The Lord also gave salvation to Prahlada in this location. The belief is that praying at the temple for a Katigai would relieve a human being from the cycle of rebirth.

Lord Narasimhar is seated in a yoga posture and is in deep meditation in the Thirmalai, or The Big Hill. The Lord's consort Amrithavalli, listens to the devotees prayers and helps them earn the Lord's blessings. It is Anjaneyar, seated in the nearby hill, who sanctions the blessings to the devotees. His abode in the nearby hill, is called Katikachalam. Consequent to the Lord bestowing Anjaneyar with eternal strength, Anjaneyar is unique here, in that he has four hands, and he is holding the Lord's conch and charka in his extra pair of hands.

At the foot of the Sholingur Big Hill is Varadaraja Perumal Temple. Legend has it that the Lord Narasimhar's consort emerged from a large water tank next to the Varadarajar temple, seated on a thousand petaled lotus, holding a Amritha creeper, symbolizing immortality. Devotees bathe in the water tank before climbing the two hills. The temple in the Sholingur town is called Bhaktavatsala.

The hereditary high priests called Dhoddacharyas, initiate all rituals and prayers in the Big Hill temple and their family resides near the Town Temple. The current Dhoddacahrya, of the 23rd generation, is dedicated to the cause of sharing the glory of the Lord Narasimhar to all his devotees, in an interesting, informative manner, through his renderings of the temple prayers, in this web site, alongside the narration. The purpose is to share with the reader the Lord's benevolent and easy-to-access nature, by merely thinking about Him, visiting His abode at Sholingur, and praying for 24 minutes (a Katigai) at the temple.

The Main Icon of the Lord:

The deity is the incarnation of Lord Narayana ( Lord Vishnu) as Yoga Narasimhar, who gave mukthi to Prahaladha. The principal stone idol of Lord Narasimhar ( Moolavar) appears with a Shankh- Chakram ( Conch shell and Discus), Saligrama Haram ( garland made of of ammonite fossils) , Yoga Peetam (sitting on a Yoga pedestal) , Ghora Dantham ( prominent canine teeth) , long nails and strong hair. Around the Yoga Peetam the 10 avatars ( incarnations) of Lord Vishnu are depicted. On the Lord's chest the icon of his consort Lakshmi is prominent. He gives darsan to the people as Shanthamurthy, a benign and peaceful form of the avatar. He fulfills all the wishes of the devotees who come to pray in this shrine. Consequent to his unbound power to fulfill devotee's wishes he has a second name as Bhaktochitha Swami in Sanskrit and "Thakkan in Tamil. The metallic idol of the Lord (Utsavar idol ), is kept in the town temple, at the foot of the hills .

Thirumangai-Alwar in his Periya Thirumozhi ( compositions) has described the Lord as Akkarak-kani Perumal ( because devotees long to see him again and again and their desire to keep seeing the Lord is never satiated ). The main icon of the Lord, made of stone, is a Swayambhu (self created and manifested itself atop the Thirumalai hill). While The Lord at the Big Hill is called Akkarakani, the utsavar at the town temple is referred to as Thakkan.

The Big Hill Temple:

The Thirumalai Hill (also known as Thirukadikai), (800 feet above sea level) has a flight of 1305 steps, for devotees to climb. There are seven Mandapams, (covered places) for taking rest. The Big Hill temple has 2 prakarams (vestibules) and a 5-tiered vimanam (tower at the entrance).The Thirumalai Hill enshrines Yoga Narasimhar. He is in a seated posture facing east. His consort Amritavalli Thaayar is enshrined in a separate sanctum. The entrance faces north while the shrine face East.The Vimanam over the sanctum-sanctorum of the Narasimhar temple is known as Hemakoti vimanam. The height of the hill is 750-feet and the total area atop is 1.25 acres. The temple, which is at the summit of the hill, is 200 feet by 150 feet in expanse, and faces north.

The Holy Waters:

There are 108 water bodies in the temple vicinity. Of these about 10 are easily accessible. Legend has it that many of these remaining water bodies are subterranean.

The holy water source of Thakkan Kulam (pond) at Sholingur got the name of Brahma Theertham as Brahma did penance on the banks of the tank to get rid of "Anka Vaikalya Dosham when one of his five heads was severed by Lord Siva and he became "Chathurmukan or the four-faced. He got rid of the sin by bathing in the tank and doing penance, praying to Lord Narasimhar. Even now many people perform "Pithru Tharpanam (prayers to the departed souls, that the soul may attain union with the Lord)

The Srinivasa Pushkarini ( source ) is in front of the Bhaktavatsalar temple while the Brahma Theertham ( pond) is on the road leading to the Hill temples. Sesha Theertham, Brahma Theertam are famous for their curative properties. On Saturday mornings to seek the removal of Sarpa dosham or Naga Dosham, women bathe in the Theertham and perform a pooja to the icons of 7 deities kept near the place. The 7 deities are called as Saptakannigai ( literal translation, seven virgins). The devotees are to perform the poojas themselves.

The ritual of taking a dip in the Brahma Theertham, Agni Theertham, Soma Gundam, Padma Sarovaram, Valmiki Theertham and Vajra Theertham and going round Narasimhar's hill is known as "Mahapradakshinam ( circum ambulation of the hill). Devotees perform this ritual, especially during the months of September to January.

According to the scriptures the ritual of taking a dip in the Brahma Theertham, Bairava Theertham, Halavartham, Varaha Theertham, Pundarika Theertham, Gaarudam, Papavinasanam, Amrithakundam, Vama Theertham, Rathna Theertham, Vasishta Theertham and Lakshmi Theertham is known as "Anthra Pradakshinam. But today this ritual is not realizable as some of the water bodies remain untraceable.

Mythology:

The Big Hill temple is also known as Thirumalai or Thirukkadigai. Pei-Alwar refers to the Lord here as "Vann Poonkadigai Ilankumaran".

The Lord directed Anjaneyar to sit atop the nearby Small Hill and bless the devotees till the end of Kaliyuga (4,32,000 years span and started circa 1000 BC)

Sri Vishnu Puranam and Sri Padma Puranam speak about the greatness of this place. Sage Viswamitrar became a Brahmarishi by praying in this place for one "Kadigai". According to legend, the Saptharishis - Arthri, Kasyapar, Vasishtar, Jamadagni, Gautamar, Bharatwajar and Viswamithrar - did penance here to have a vision of Lord Narasimhar. The Lord appeared before the sages in Narasimha Avataram. The Lord provides a Giri Pradakshinam sevai to the 7 rishis, starting on an Eakadasi day and blessing the rishis on a Dwadashi day. Even now during the month of December - January devotees undertake a Giri Pradakshinam along with the Utsavar icon that is taken in a grand procession around the 2 hills, over a 25 kms distance.

According to a few Vaishnavite scholars, Lord Narasimhar comes out of his penance during Karthigai (months of November - December) to bless the devotees. Hence there is a swell of devotees in the two hill temples during this month, especially on Sundays, which is an auspicious day for worshipping Lord Narasimhar and Anjaneyar

The Goddess here is Amritabalavalli or Sudha Valli as She emerged sitting on a thousand petaled lotus, from one of the ponds near Kadikachalam. As She was holding the Amrita creeper in Her hand She came to be known as Amritabalavalli and was married to the Lord on a Friday. Hence the devotees worship the Goddess here on Fridays to obtain Her grace.

Sage Durvasa, who was overwhelmed with joy after getting a tulsi garland from Lord Narayana, began to dance. On seeing this, Budha, one of the nine planets, laughed, and was cursed by the sage. He got relief from the curse after visiting the Hill temple and taking a dip in the "Pandava Theertham

History as recorded post 1100 AD:

The temple gained in stature under the Chola kings who ruled the region, circa 1500 AD. Synonymous with the Lord's name, Narasimhar, the place was called Simhapuram. Upon the Cholas gaining control, it was renamed Chozhasimhapuram Sholingur or CholaSimhapuram is anciently known as Thirukadigai. This fact is evident from the sacred poems of the Third Thiruvanthathi of Peyalvar and from Thirumangai-Alwar. The name of this place is Kadikhachalam as known from ancient legend.Karikal Cholan of Chola dynasty divided his country into 48 divisions of which one is known as Kadigai Nadu. Kadiga is known as the place of Learning.

Inscriptions: This is the only Vaishnava Temple of the Vellore District which is praised by the Alwars in their pasurams (divine verses). Many stone engravings (also known locally as Kalvettu) show its importance. The Chalukkya King (who were ruling the region, what is present day Karnataka) came here to study. Sholingur was also called as Kanchi kadigai. There are many stone inscriptions near the lake and in Kangaikondan Mandapam in the Sannadhi street, one of the streets in the town. The prints of stone inscriptions were taken during 1896 and 1952-53.According to the inscriptions on the temple, it was consecrated during Sarvathari year, Meena lagna (zodiacal orientation during the period), Sudha Panchami day. Archeological survey shows that the two hills are several centuries old. The reports given by them show that during the regime of Sri Veerabhadhra Ramadevarayar and Sri Venkatapathy Devarayar, around 1619 A.D the temples were again renovated.

Siriya Tiruvadi: ( The Small Hill Temple):

The Anjaneyar temple is situated atop a separate 350-feet high hill just opposite the Narasimhar hill (Big Hill). Anjaneya is always looking towards the sanctum-sanctorum of the Narasimhar temple and is offering prayers.

The Temple on the Small Hill enshrining Yoga Anjaneyar, has two towers and two water bodies, the Hanuman Theertham and the Rama Theertham. There are also shrines to Pallikonda Ranganathar facing south, and Kodandaramar facing West. The Pandava Theertham is situated at the bottom of this hill. The Small Hill is popularly called Kadigachalam ( Kadigai + Achalam; Kadigai indicating a period of time and Achalam meaning hill)

The Glory of Anjaneyar:

According to a few Vaishnavite scholars, Anjaneyar is doing penance atop the hill to become the next Brahma. The Lord has reportedly advised Anjaneyar that there is a better service to perform, than becoming a Brahma, which is just a post created for a specific purpose of being a creator of the Universe. Instead, the Lord has advised Anjaneyar, the 4-handed bestower of boons, that by blessing His devotees who visit Him at Thirkadigai, he can remain in the eternal service of the Lord. According to legend Anjaneyar helped Indrathymna Maharaja, one of the kings in the region, to vanquish a demon called Arakkan Nikumban, Kalan, Keyan and saved the kingdom.

Lord Anjaneyar accomplished this task on a Sunday and hence every Sunday is an important day at Siriya Thiruvadi. People take a bath in the Chakkra Theertham of the Small Hill and worship the Lord.

Varadaraja Temple & The Town Temple:

On the banks of Thakkan Kulam at Sholingur, is a shrine with an image of Varadaraja Perumal, seated on the Garuda vahanam.The Utsavar deity at the Sholingur Town Temple is Bhaktavatsalar. The Adikesava Perumal Sannadhi of the Town Temple is also a sacred one. People pray for rain at this sannadi by performing an abishegam, with 1008 pots of offerings which include ghee, honey, oil, fruits. Interestingly for all the water and offerings poured on the deity, there is no outlet inside the sanctum sanctorum. All the offerings get absorbed at the foot of the deity. In the Sholingur Town Temple there are separate sannadhis for Saint Ramanujar, Lord Srinivasar, Lord Narasimhar and the Doddacharya. There are also sannidhis for Andal, and the other 11 Alwars, The Town Temple renovation was funded by Janardhana Raja, a ruler of Karvet Nagar ( near present day Pallipet, in Vellore district), The two people who helped Doddacharya in the renovation were Takka Reddy and Chidda Reddy. Even today their descendants perform kein karai, ( service to the lord ) during the festival periods at the Town Temple. Since there is no Moolavar ( mail icon in the sanctum sanctorum) at the Town temple there is no Dhwajasthambam ( holy flag mast).

The Story of Doddacharyas:

Accoding to legend, Lord Narayana not only took several incarnations in this world to reform the people, but also sent His messengers as preceptors to perform this function. One such preceptor was Doddacharya of Chozhasimhapuram, now known as Sholingur, who lived nearly 470 years ago performing service to Lord Yoga Narasimhar.

Doddacharya was a descendant of Sri Mudaliandan, also known as Dasarathi, who was a nephew of Saint Ramanuja (1200 AD). Dasarathi used to accompany his uncle Saint Ramanuja to the bathing ghat on the Cauvery river, at Sreerangam. He learnt several of the preachings of Saint Ramanuja during these morning walks.

Like Ramanuja, Doddacharya took all steps to propagate Visishtadwaitha and maintain the temples, sanctified by the Alwars' hymns. His descendants are even now looking after the temples on the hills at Sholingur and also Bhaktochita Swami temple at the foot of the hills where the Utsava idols of the hill temple are enshrined.

Sri Mudaliandan and his successor, who was the first Doddacharya, performed several miracles as recorded in holy paces like Kancheepuram, Azhagarkoil near Madurai, Thiruchithrakoodam (Chidambaram), Tirumala and at Sholingur itself. One of the miracles is commemorated even today during the third day of the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam at Kancheepuram when Lord Varadaraja is taken out of the temple, mounted on Garuda. As soon as the Lord approaches the main entrance of the tower, the Lord's image is hidden from public view with two massive umbrellas and "Harathi is performed. This is known as "Doddacharyar Swami Sevai.

Reportedly the Doddacharya who was residing at Sholingur could not make it to the Kancheepuram festival on one occasion. He expressed his inability to the Lord, while standing on the banks of the Brahma Theertham (holy water sources also known as Thakkan Kulam). The Lord, in all His enchanting beauty, sitting on Garuda ( the mystical broad winged bird who flies the Lord) appeared before the Doddacharya, and blessed him. To commemorate this great event, a temple was built on the banks of Thakkan Kulam where the stone idol of Lord Varadaraja mounted on Garuda, is enshrined. Another place where a similar Moolavar idol is found is at the Parthasarathi Temple at Thiruvallikeni (Triplicane). The Lord here has been hailed by Thirumangai Alwar as the one who rushed to rescue the elephant king, Gajendra.

The Role of Doddacharyas Post 1500 A.D.:

Swami Doddacharya (a term implying Senior-most Priest) is the main architect responsible for the development of Sholingur. Doddacharya was born as the son of Periyappan, a descendant of Mudaliandan. He was born on the 10th of February, 1543 and departed from this world on the 3rd of October, 1607. For several years the Utsavar icon (the metallic icon of Lord Narasimhar that can be taken out of the temple premises on processions) was missing. The Doddacharya Swamy did penance for 12 years and Lord Sudarsana appeared before him and showed him the cave in the hill, where the icons of Sri Narasimhar and His consort were lying buried. The Doddacharya retrieved the icons and had them reconsecrated in the Town temple. The Utsavar idol was consecrated on Sarvadhari varsham, Panguni masam, Valarpirai panchami. From records, it is known that the Temple was renovated in 1588 at the behest of Swami Doddacharya

As the festivals and other rituals for the icons had not been performed for a long time, Doddacharya sought the help of Achyutha Deva, a relative of Sri Krishnadevaraya, one of the more powerful kings in the region. The ruler, impressed by the Acharya's mystic powers, granted a large chunk of area near Chozhasimhapuram (Sholingur) and with the help of his disciples Doddacharya established what is now known as Kondampalayam and also expanded the beautiful temple, that included the shrine of Adikesava. The Utsava idols ( the icons taken out for processions) of Sri Thakkan and His consort were enshrined, in the 16th century, according to inscriptions found there. The ruler also granted 64 villages to the Doddacharya. Even today one can find in the second, four-pillared mantap on the hill, the images of Doddacharya and Sri Sudarsana on two pillars. Till date the male heirs of the Doddacharya family are vested with the privilege to lead all rituals to the Lord in the Kshetram.

The Doddacharya had two of his ardent devotees Thakkan Reddy and Siddhi Reddy, implement the renovations to the temples. As a gesture of goodwill the Dhoddacharya bestowed the descendants of Thakkan and Siddhi Reddy, the privilege to carry the Lord's idol around the temple town during Brahmotsavam festival.

Kattiyam:

The glory of Lord Narasimhar's beauty is enshrined in a series of songs that are sung on special occasions. They are a set of verses that describe the Lord's body, His grace, His powers and His protective nature. Every Friday and on the days of ascent of the Lord's star (Swathi) a sacred ceremony is performed at the Big Hill Temple. After the ceremony, the verses are sung by the Dhoddacharya.Likewise on every Sunday a sacred ceremony is performed for Anjaneyar at the Small Hill.The three Alwars of the 10th century have sung praises of the Lord Yoga Narasimhar, in separate instances. These songs are also called pasurams, and they describe the infinite strength and grace of the Lord.Every morning the Lord is awaked by a Suprabhatam, songs that describe His glory.

Blessings:

The Lord's blessings manifest to the devotees in several ways. For couples longing for a progeny, they spend several days in the location, climbing the hill every day until they get a signal from the Lord that they could return home and the boon has been granted. It could be either in the form of a dream, of the Lord wishing them, or when they are in the temple premises, some devotee, not known to them, offers prasadam, or strangely enough, the woman is not able to continue her routine climb, with an onset of a periodic cycle. Some couples get the blessing within a few days, while for others it may extend to 48 days. Reportedly the Lord grants his devotees their wishes, in some form or the other.For devotees with several worries, a devotee not known to them earlier, may provide some form of a simple help like offering food, or befriend them during the climb to the hill. These are indications the Lord is supporting the devotees.

Typically a devotee who spends at least 24 minutes at the temple returns assured the Lord will help dispel or mitigate his suffering or strengthen the devotees resolve to overcome the problems. It's a faith-imbibed strength and resolve that devotees gain, upon climbing the two hills

Festivals

The main festivals are Brahmotsavam, Narasimhar Jayanthi, Navarathiry festival and Hanumath jayanthi. There is also a 10-days Doddacharya festival.

The 10-days Brahmotsavam festival is during the month of Chithirai (April-May). The Thayar ( Lord's consort Amrithavalli ) and Utsavar idols is brought down from the Hill temple to the Town Temple. The festival starts during the ascent of Thiruvadarai star and concludes at the ascent of the Swathi star. Serial No. Month Festival 1 Chithirai

                     (April - May)

Bramothsavam (10 days) 2 Vaikasi

                     (May - June) 	             Narasimha Jayanthi,
                                                    Vaikasi Garuda Seva
                                                    Vasantha Uthsavam
                                                    Nammalvar Festival

3 Aani

                     (June - July) 	
                                                    Summer Festival (3 days)
                                                    Aani Garuda Seva
                                                    Adhikesava perumal
                                                    Thiruvona Festival

4 Aadi

                     (July - August) 	             Andal Thiruadipora Festival(10 days),
                                                    Gajendra Motcham, Garuda Seva,
                                                    Jeshtapishekam

5 Avani

                     (August - September) 	     Thirupavithrothsavam (Big Temple) (7 days),
                                                    SriJayanthi

6 Purattasi

                     (September - October) 	     Navarathri Uthsavam 10 days

7 Iyppasi

                     (October - November) 	     Dolothsavam oonjal Festival (3 days)
                                                    Manavala Mamunigal (10 days)
                                                    Last Friday Deepavali & Vana Bojanam

8 Karthigai

                     (November - December) 	     Karthigai Festival (Festival of light)
                                                    Hanumath Jayanthi (Small Hill)
                                                    Thirumangai Alwar Festival (10 days)

Marghazi

                     (December - January) 	     Vaikunta Ekadasi
                                                    Pahal-Pathu
                                                    Raa-Pathu
                                                    Uthsavam
                                                    New year Jan 1
                                                    Padi Uthsavam

10 Thai

                     (January - February) 	     Andal Thirukalyanam
                                                    WesternPaarivethai
                                                    Giri Prathkshinam
                                                    ThaiPoosam
                                                    Float Festival (3 days)

11 Masi

                     (February - March) 	     Sri Dhottacharya Annual Birth celebration
                                                    Dhavana Uthsavam
                                                    Masi Float Festival

12 Panguni

                     (March - April) 	             Telugu New Year's day
                                                    Panguni Uthram
                                                    Thirukalyanam in the Big Temple

Directions

Sholingur town is located in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu,. Vellore is the district headquarters and is about 43 kms away from Sholingur. The nearest metro is Chennai, about 120 kms south-east. If one were to proceed to Bangalore from Chennaii via NH 4, about 25 kms from Kancheepuram, and just past the town of Kaveripakkam, there is a small road turning to the right, leading to Sholingur. The temple town is about a 30 kms detour from the main Chennai-Bangalore highway. A famous pilgrimage centre in the vicinity of Sholingur is Thiruttani, 24 kms away. ( home to Lord Murgua who is seated on a hill temple).

The nearest railway station is Sholingur along the western line, that goes via Arakkonam junction. There are several west and north-west bound trains that stop at Sholingur or the next nearest railway junction namely Arakkonam, about 26 kms away. There are regular bus services between Arakkonam-Sholingur.

An alternate road route from Chennai is via Tiruvallur, Tiruttani, along the Chennai - Tirupathi - Chitoor route. Past Thirutanni one takes a detour to Sholingur. This is a preferred motor road, from Chennai, as there is less traffic and the roads are good. While coming from Bangalore, along NH 4, past Vellore there are sign boards that show Sholingur. A better route, while coming form Bangalore, is via Kolar - Chittoor - Tiruttani - Tiruvallur. There is a detour to Sholingur about 24 kms ahead of Tiruttani

Chennai (Meenambakkam) is the closest airport. There are several taxi and tourist car services who can help in quick transfer from the airport to Sholingur. If one were to arrive in Chennai after a long international flight, it is preferable to sojourn at Chennai before embarking on a car ride, that can take approx. 3 ½ - 4 hrs to Sholingur from Chennai airport. There are several good 3, 4 and 5 star hotels nearby the Chennai airport. (www.chennaionline.com). Sholingur has one good motel for overnight stay. C.A.M. Motel.

Facilities

Sholinghur has a railway station. The community is 30 minutes away from the station. Sholinghur is easily accessible from Walajah Road railway station and also from Arakkonam railway station. From Arakkonam, Sholinghur can be reached in 40 minutes drive.

The town has one engineering college, the Saraswathi Velu Engineering College.

In recent years, Sholinghur is emerging as an industrial town with Brakes India and associated companies operating from this town. It also houses the famous Indian TVS industrial production unit which employs more than 5000 employees.

External links

• Sholinghur temple website
• Online Hindu Ritual in Sholingur Temple

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