Singaperumal Koil

Singaperumal Koil  Padalathri Narasimha Swamy Temple 

Padalathri Temple or Narasimhar Temple is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu located in Singaperumal kovil, Kanchipuram district, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Rock-cut architecture, dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Narasimhar and his consort Lakshmi as Ahobilavalli. The temple is built by the Pallavas during the 8th century.

The main deity here is Lord Narasimhar. This is a beautiful rock cut temple. The temple and even the deity is carved out of a small hillock. Here the Lord is known as Sri Paatalaadri Narasimhar. In Sanskrit Paatalaadri means a reddish hill. The original name of this place itself is Paatalaadripuram. Singa perumal kovil was originally called by various names like Azhwar Narasingadevar and Narsinga Vinnagar Azhwar.

Singaperumal Koil - Sri Padalathri Narasimhar Perumal Temple சிங்கப்பெருமாள் கோவில் - ஸ்ரீ பாடலாத்ரி நரசிம்மர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Vishnu
Moolavar Name	Patalathri Narasimhar
Goddess Name	Ahobilavalli
Location	Singaperumal Kovil
Ancient Name	Paatalaadripuram
Significance	Padalathri (Ugra) Narasimha Sitting Posture with Goddess Lakshmi in his chest, Rock-cut architecture Temple, Built by Pallavas,
Travel Base	Chennai / Kanchipuram

According to temple sources, this temple has been referred in Brahmaanda Puraanam. Lord Vishnu took the form (Avataar) of Sri Narasimha and killed the demon king Hiranyakasipu. At the time of Narasimha Avataar, this place was surrounded by dense forests. A sage called ‘Jaapaali’ was performing Thapas, praying Lord Vishnu. As wished by him, the Lord gave dharshan to him in the form of Ugra (fierce) Narasimhar.

The main sanctum itself is a rock cut shrine on which the deity too is carved out of the hill itself. So, whoever wants to circumambulate around the temple has to actually go around the small hillock as Giri Pradhakshinam. Hence, Giri Pradhakshinam is very popular here.

The main deity is seen here as Ugra (fierce) murthy, holding Paanchajanya (conch) and Sudharsana Chakra, showing Abhaya Hastha in one of His hands. Sri Narasimha Swamy here has 3 eyes and the third eye is shown by the priest while performing Haarathi. The Urchavar here is called Sri Prahalaadha Varadhar. The Goddess here is Sri Ahobila Valli Thaayaar.  The Theertham for this temple is called Suddha Pushkarani and Sthala Viruksham is Paarijaatham.           

How to Reach : S.P koil is 8 km from Chengalpet on the Chennai GST Road. The temple is in the heart of the city. Singapperumal Kovil is about 25 kms from Tambaram and the temple is just 100 meters off the GST Road. Nearest Railway Station is located at Chengalpet. All Sub-Urban Trains from Chennai Beach – Chengalpet stop at Singapperumal Koil Station.