Kathir Narasimha Perumal-Devar Malai

06 February 2022, Plava varusha, Thai-24, Sunday ;

This temple is located about 65kms, west of Trichy and 35kms South East of Karur. This temple is the 2500 years old and renovated from time to time by the erstwhile kingdoms of Nayakars, Pandiyas,etc. Kathir Narasinga Perumal temple in Devar Malai, a temple which dates back to Hiranyavadham and whose construction dates back to the Nayak period. 

The “Moksha theertham” is nearby the temple with idols of Sri Rama, Seetha Devi, Sri Lakshmana and Sri Hanuman in its walls. By taking bath in Moksha theertham (also called as Brahma (or) Aakasa theertham), is believed that all the Dosham related to Sani are cleared.

Quick Facts 

Moolavar: Kathir Narasinga Perumal.The presence of “Thri Nethra” (third eye) is a rare manifestation.

Thayar: Kamalavalli Thaayar ( Separate Sannidhi)

Sthala vruksham: Vilvam

Temple time: 7am-12noon and 5pm-7pm

History: After Hiranya Samhara, furious Lord Narasimha came to this forest area of Devar Malai, where he was intercepted by the Devas and Maharishis who were assembled  here in large numbers. The Devas brought sacred water and performed Abhishekam on Narasimhaswami, in an effort to bring down His anger. Having pleased by Devas prayers, Lord Narasimha sat down at this place and blessed the devotees here in a Jaya Veera King like majestic Posture with his right feet placed on the ground and the left leg in a folded position. His left hand is in a posture inviting the devotees while his right hand is in Abhaya Hastham posture blessing the devotees. This is referred to as the Veerasana Kolam of Lord Narasimha. The Sacred water here is believed to liberate those with Pitru Dosham. 

The Structure of the temple

There is no Raja Gopuram at the entrance. There is a separate Sannidhi for thayar with a separate Deepasthambam where lamps are lit on special occasions. The holy shrine built as per the “Agama Sasthras” comprises of the Mahamandapam, Artha Mandapam and Karuvarai separately for the presiding deity Sri Kadhir Narasinga Perumal and Goddess Kamalavalli thaayar, the Urchava Mandapas, the majestic Dwajasthambams, the idols of Lord Lakshmi Narayana Perumal and Mahavishnu, separate Sannadhis for Sri Garudalwar, Sri Ramanujar, Sri Nammazhwar and Sri Bairavar etc.

Inscriptions 

At the entrance of the Thayar Sannidhi, there are old inscriptions that describes the Sthalapuranam. Nayaks, belonging to the Kurivarkothram in Bellary, came here to Palayam, 5kms West of this temple. After capturing Puliyur by their killings of Vengals, they were the first among the Nayaks who made their entry into this region. Pandyas were very impressed with the Nayaks and presented them with lands. Nayaks, who were grazing cows, would bring the cows every day to this forest area of Devar Malai. 

Once, when a cow herd went to the forest with the cows for grazing, amused to notice that a boy was drinking milk direct from the cow. When he was chased, the boy disappeared. Stunned at this incident, the cowherd sat there near the banyan tree while the cows returned to Palayam. When Vathipala Muthappa Nayak came there, he tapped the cow herd and instantly found a divine light. Digging this place, they found sacred water pouring out and realised that Lord Narasimha had come there to enact the drama of drinking the milk from the cow. The delighted Nayaks built this temple, and the grand granite structure that is present today belongs to the Nayak period construction. The Moolavar deity is said to date back to over a 1000years. The Nayaks who then went on to rule large parts of Tamil Nadu had many of those places named as Palayam ( Palayam Kottai, Raja Palayam etc) but the Palayam near Devar Malai is said to be the first of the ‘Palayams’, marking their entry into this region.

Swarna Bairavar Sannidhi at the Northern side is special at this temple similar to the idol seen at Thadi Kombu temple near Dindigul. 

Festivals:

1.Navarathri Kolu for Thaayar

2.Vaikasi -10 day Brahmotsavam

3.Purattasi -Saturday

4.There is a special Abhishekam on the Ashtami day at this temple

5.Pradosham and Amavasya days are also special at this temple 

6. Special poojai on Swathi every month

How to reach Devar Malai: Devar Malai is Located 65kms-West of Tiruchirapalli on the Thogamalai-Palayam route and 35kms-South of Karur off the Karur-Dindugul Highway, which is 5kms East of Palayam. Buses from Trichy runs for every one hour on the Devar Malai route (buses going towards Palayam/Pallapatti) as early as 4am in the morning. One should get down at Kuruni Kalathapatti and walk 1km North to reach the temple.

Devar Malai can also be reached by taking the Karur- Dindigul bus (old Dindigul road) and get down at Palayam. From Palayam, one can take an auto to Devar Malai temple Car from Trichy.