Sri Viswaroopa Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located in Kattavakkam, a serene village about 10 km from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The main deity here is Lord Narasimha, the fierce Man-Lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In this temple, He is known as Viswaroopa Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. The presiding deity is Sri Vishwaroopa Lakshmi Narasimha, an awe-inspiring figure standing nearly 25 feet tall from the base to the hoods of Adisesha.”
The temple follows the traditional Dravidian style of architecture with a simple yet elegant design. The entrance has a small gopuram (tower), and the sanctum is beautifully constructed with detailed stone carvings. The sanctum (garbhagriha) is where Lord Narasimha and Goddess Lakshmi are enshrined. The Lord’s posture here is unique and spiritually powerful, seated with crossed legs in a yogic position.
The Lord is majestically seated on the Aadhara Peetam, Koorma Peetam, Padma Peetam, Anantha Peetam, and Yoga Peetam. As described in the sloka, the Lord displays an “Atiprasanna Vadhanam”—an extremely pleased and broadly smiling face, radiating compassion and a willingness to respond to the prayers of devotees. He is seated in a Yogic posture, with his consort Lakshmi on his left lap, embracing him with her right hand and holding a lotus flower in her left hand.
The Lord wields the Sudarsana Chakra in his back right hand and the bow and arrow in his back left hand, symbolizing the glory he would achieve in a later Yuga as Kodanda Rama in the Rama Avatara. His two front hands are in the familiar Abhaya Hastha (gesture of protection) and Varada Hastha (gesture of boon-giving). Lord Narasimha, also known as Athirudra, appears in this divine form with three eyes, the third eye located on his forehead.
The Lord has twelve Vajra Dhamshtras (diamond-like teeth), which represent the *27 stars* across the *12 zodiac signs. The **Navagrahas* (nine planets) are unified within the divine facial features of the Lord:
* *Moon (Chandra)* in His *left eye*
* *Sun (Surya)* in His *right eye*
* *Mars (Chevvai)* on His *forehead (third eye)*
* *Venus (Shukra)* on His *nose*
* *Jupiter (Guru)* on His *upper lip*
* *Mercury (Budha)* on His *lower lip*
* *Ketu* in His *right ear*
* *Rahu* in His *left ear*
* *Saturn (Shani Bhagavan)* on His *tongue*
This sacred integration makes *Simhapuram* a powerful *Navagraha Parihara Sthalam*—a place to seek remedies for planetary afflictions.
The Lord’s form embodies *six avatars* of Maha Vishnu, and His divine weapons reflect *four avatars*:
* The *Koorma Peetam* symbolizes the *Koorma (Tortoise) Avatar*
* *Vajra Dhamshtram* signifies the *Varaha (Boar) Avatar*
* *Vajra Nakhams (nails)* represent the *Narasimha Avatar*
* The *bow and arrow* represent both the *Parasurama* and *Rama Avatars*
* The *Chakra (Sudarsana)* denotes the *Krishna Avatar*
The Lord holds the divine weapons—Vajra Nakhams, Vajra Dhamshtram, Chakra, Bow and Arrow—which were used during His *three incarnations* to destroy demons and to grant *liberation (Shapa Vimochanam)* to *Jaya and Vijaya*.
Additionally, Sri Viswaroopa Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy’s divine form reflects the unique features of the *Nava Narasimhas* of *Ahobilam Divya Kshetram*:
* The *Chakra* in His hand reflects *Chatravata Narasimha*
* *Vajra Dhamshtram* represents *Kroda Narasimha*
* *Vajra Nakham* symbolizes *Jwala Narasimha*
* The majestic face resembles *Ahobila Narasimha* and *Bhargava Narasimha*
* The *Atiprasanna Vadhanam* (pleasant face) is akin to *Malola Narasimha*
* The *bow and arrow* recall the form of *Karancha Narasimha*
* His *Yogic posture* signifies *Yogananda Narasimha*
* His *beautiful eyes*, which respond to every devotee’s prayer, reflect the compassionate gaze of Pavana Narasimha.
As per temple lore, after slaying the demon Hiranyakashipu, Lord Narasimha was still in a fierce and uncontrollable form. To calm Him down, Goddess Mahalakshmi embraced Him. At that moment, Lord Narasimha took a peaceful and all-encompassing (Viswaroopa) form, seated in yogic posture with a smiling face. This divine moment is what is believed to be captured in the idol at this temple. The name “Viswaroopa Lakshmi Narasimha” signifies His all-pervading cosmic form and His consort, showering blessings and peace on devotees.
The main festivals celebrated at Sri Viswaroopa Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple include *Narasimha Jayanthi* in Vaikasi (May–June), *Vaikunta Ekadasi, and **Lakshmi Narasimha Utsavam*, during which special abhishekams, alankarams, and prayers are offered. These occasions attract devotees seeking divine blessings, peace, and protection.
