Vazhenkada Sree Narasimha Moorthi Temple is located in Vazhenkada village, Malappuram district, Kerala.The temple’s presiding deity is Lord Narasimha Moorthi, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, known for his powerful and protective form.
Lord Narasimha is not seen in this temple in his fierce “Ugra” form. Instead, he appears peaceful and calm (Shantha Bhava), blessing his devotee, Prahlada. The idol is made of black granite (Krishna Shila) and holds a conch, discus, lotus, and club. Along with Lord Narasimha, the temple also has shrines for Goddess Durga, Lord Ganapathy, Lord Sastha (Ayyappa), and Goddess Saraswati. Though there is no idol of Hanuman, his divine presence is strongly believed to exist within the temple.
The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style, with a tiled sloping roof, Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), Nalambalam (inner corridor), and a Kodimaram (flag post). There is a serene temple pond near the complex, adding a scenic touch. The Sreekovil is simple yet elegant, with beautiful carvings and a wooden structure. The ceilings are low, typical of older Kerala temples, and the temple radiates a sense of peace and sacredness.
The temple is believed to be more than 600 years old, dating back to the 14th century. Initially, the temple was jointly maintained by three Brahmin families (manas): Kongatt Mallisseri Mana, Alanellur Pattallur Mana, and Thamarappalli Mana. Over time, the third family became extinct, and the remaining two continue to oversee the rituals and upkeep. The temple is currently administered under the Malabar Devaswom Board. Despite its modest size, the temple has long been revered as a powerful spiritual center, especially for blessings related to speech and learning.
Long ago, this region of Vazhenkada was covered with thick forests and banana groves, known locally as Kadali Vanam. According to legend, Lord Hanuman, the great devotee of Lord Rama, once came to this forest during his travels.
In this Kadali Vanam, Hanuman is said to have discovered a powerful idol of Lord Narasimha, the fierce and protective avatar of Lord Vishnu. Deeply moved by the divine presence, Hanuman installed the idol and worshipped it with devotion. The idol was of Narasimha in a calm and peaceful form, blessing the child devotee Prahlada. This special form, known as Shantha Narasimha, represents divine protection and compassion.
Over time, the forest around the idol began to fade, but the presence of Lord Narasimha remained strong. The local people who lived near the area experienced miracles and blessings. They decided to build a temple at the very spot where Hanuman had worshipped the deity. Thus, the Vazhenkada Narasimha Temple was born. It is believed that even today, the spirit of Hanuman remains in the temple, silently guarding and blessing the devotees.
Devotees also believe that children suffering from speech problems, especially stammering (vikkal), receive divine blessings here. The combined presence of Narasimha, Goddess Saraswati (goddess of learning), and Hanuman (the master of speech and devotion) creates a powerful spiritual environment. Many families bring their children here for healing. Devotees offer Kadali bananas, silver or gold tongue-shaped offerings, avil nivedyam, and Saraswati ghrutham as part of their prayers for speech improvement and educational success.
The Vazhenkada Sree Narasimha Moorthi Temple celebrates several important festivals throughout the year. The main event is the 8-day annual festival held in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December–January), beginning on the Thiruvonam star, with daily rituals and traditional performances like Kathakali and Ottanthullal. Other key celebrations include Prathishta Dinam in Edavam (May–June), Narasimha Jayanti, Navaratri, and Vijayadashami, which features the famous Vidyarambham ritual where children are initiated into learning. The temple also observes Laksharchana in Thulam (October) and Sreekrishna Jayanti with devotion and offerings.
