Polur Swayambu Narasimhar

This is about another temple visit that is situated on a hilltop.   Polur is a sleepy town 34 kms towards north from Thiruvannamalai. Thiruvannamalai is well known to all being one of the five Shiva Temples each one dedicated to one of the five elements of nature as per hindu mythology.  Accordingly it is land for Kanchipuram, water for Thiruvanaikaval, sky for Chidambaram, fire for Thiruvannamalai and finally wind for Kalahasthi. Polur is having a small hill and on the top of it the self-manifested Narasimhar was found. 

The legend of the temple is that the self-manifested idol of Narasimhar was prayed by none other than the lord of wealth "Kuberan".  Normally in the Hindu culture there will be a stone idol called as "Moolavar" and replica in metal, preferably panchalogam, called “Urchavar".  In this temple the Urchavar was not there. At a later date it was found in the nearby river bed Seyyar. So the speciality of the temple is both Moolavar and Urchavar are only found naturally, but not made by anyone. Having found only the Urchavar the Lakshmi idol, consort of the lord, was made thereafter. The goddess Lakshmi known here by the name "Kanagavalli Thayar". Taking the difficulty into account while climbing the hills, this Urchavar was established in another temple in the middle of the town.  Those who can't climb the hill can have the prayers at the town temple.  

The temple is at the top of the hill with around 800 steps.  The first half of the steps are cemented plain and second half bit steep and made by stones.  On a sunny day I had decided to visit this temple.  I preferred Saturday with two reasons.  First it is auspicious for Lord Narasimhar and second only on Saturday this temple is doing Brahma Muhurtha puja and abhishekam.  It is before sun rise time precisely.  

 The entrance to the temple.

Steep Steps when you are reaching the top

View of Polur town below.

I left Thiruvannamalai at 4.30 a.m. and reached the base of the temple by 5.05 a.m.  With a good motor able road and less traffic even with a normal speed of below 80 kmph I was able to cover one kilometer per minute.  

My belief that I was one of the few persons visiting this temple at this odd hour was belied.  Already there were around 60 motorcycles and a flower vendor doing brisk business.  The path to the temple is well lit and absolutely no issues in climbing just before dawn.  Being difficult to find a person without a mobile now-a-days, in case of necessity the mobile torch will be better enough in case ofpower failure. 

The path well lit 

It took less than 30 minutes to reach the top for me.  It is to be mentioned that I was accompanied by my wife and other relatives who climbed only at a leisure phase.  While climbing the scenic view of the lake by one side and the Polur town on the other side are treat to eyes in that dawn light.  Though monkeys are there, they are not aggressive like other temples. A small stick if necessary, be taken but surely not as help for climbing and getting down.

 The view of the town almost near the top

The lake with water on the other side.

Half the way there is a small cave with no specific mention about the same.  Probably on a rainy day people can take shelter or those who wish to do meditation can do so in this cool covered place. 

Cave well covered where you can meditate or take rest. 

On reaching the hill top, the sight of a small temple, typically Dravidian style architecture welcomes everyone.  The temple is having a small Garudalwar and sculpted Narasimhar idols before the naturally formed Narasimhar at the back.  To the left side of the main temple a small temple for "Kanagavalli Thayar". 

View of the temple at the top

The lamp with the vaishnavite symbol.

It is time for sunrise.

The self manifested moolavar in the background and stone idol in front

This symbol almost 10 feet in height is visible from anywhere below

Kanagavalli Thayar

The much awaited sun rise from the top and the changing canvass of colours by nature gradually welcomed me.  The cool breeze at the top with the colour canvass by nature takes the senses to a blissful stage.  The temple is normally closed by 7.30 a.m., being Saturday it was told by the priest that upto 8.00 a.m. they keep it open.  

Colour canvass by the sunrise.

The best possible by a mobile phone camera.

After the morning rituals, people are lined up for partaking the Panagam (a sweet drink prepared mainly with jaggery and cardamom), followed by Puliyodarai (a rice preparation with tamarind and rice, more specific for vaishanavite temple).

After the darshan I was told by the priest to visit the Urchavar temple in the town.  After about 45 minutes reaching the town temple is not that difficult.  Unlike other temples, here the stone idol or Moolavar is not Narasimhar but Venugopala Swamy.   

Returned back after a quick visit to Polur Narasimhar Swamy temple by 9.30 a.m. to Thiruvannamalai.