Prasanna Venkatesa Narasimha Perumal Temple of Saidapet

In the congested locality of Saidapet, Chennai, stands a remarkable temple that transports visitors to a distant sacred site. This magnificent temple, Prasanna Venkatesa Narasimha Perumal Temple, features a wooden chariot standing at an impressive height of thirty-six feet, adorned with exquisite wooden carvings. A splendid large pond and a colossal six-tiered Raja gopuram embellished with fascinating stucco images add to the allure of this place.

The east-facing sanctum enshrines small images of Vishnu named Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal, flanked by his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. In the same shrine, there is also a small Panchaloha icon of Narasimha, sporting a human face known as Azhagiya Singan. Consequently, the temple bears the name Prasanna Venkatesa Narasimha Perumal, paying homage to both deities.

In a separate shrine within the Ardha mandapa, Rama is enshrined, flanked by Sita and Lakshmana. As the temple was originally dedicated to Rama, the place was known as Raghunathapuram. The holy pond adjacent to it is still referred to as Raghu Teertha. According to legends, the stone image and the metal icon of the presiding deity were discovered later and added to the original Rama temple. However, the authenticity of such tales remains uncertain. The architectural features of the temple suggest that it can be attributed to the Vijayanagara period of the 16th century.

Within the temple complex, we find two separate shrines dedicated to Alarmel Mangai and Andal, adorned with beautiful vimanas atop and mandapas at the front. Additionally, the temple houses various other deities and saints, including Hanuman, Sudarshana, Alwars, Ramanuja, Pillai Lokacharya, and Manavala Mamuni.

A grand Maha mandapa and an additional Mukha mandapa can be found within the temple premises. The style of sculptures in the Mukha mandapa indicates its construction in the 1900s.

Facing the main shrine, one can observe a tall lamp post, a flag post, a bali peetha, and an awe-inspiring Garuda.

Adjacent to the temple, there is a Ramanuja mandapa, built in 1901, featuring a newly installed icon of Ramanuja.

Opposite the Raja Gopuram, a small temple houses a sculpture of Hanuman with folded hands, radiating serenity and devotion.

Happy travelling.