Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy
Sri Yoga Narashimha Swamy temple at sholingur in vellore District is a famous pilgrimage spot. It is believed traditionally that worshipping the lord at this temple would relieve the devotees from various ailments.
On the main hill, which has 1305 steps and is about 750 feet high, the temple of sri Yoga Narasimhar with goddess Amruthavalli is situated. The temples will be Open between 8 am to 5.30 pm.
Lord Vishnu who undertook the Narasimha Avataaram at Ahobilam (Andhra Pradesh), once again displayed the Narasimha Avataaram to saptha rishis, who undertook penance at Sholingur. Hence, this is said to be the one of the most sacred of “Divya Desams on the Hill” in Tamil Nadu.
Sage Vishwamitra, who undertook penance here, was blessed with ‘Brahmma Rishi’ by Lord Narasimha, within 24 minutes (One Kadigai/ One ‘Naazhigai’). Following the foot steps of the great sage, Saptha Rishis too undertook penance here at Sholingur wanting a darshan of the Narasimha Avataaram and hoping to get the darshan within 24minutes!! Hence, it is believed that one who stays here for 24 minutes will attain Moksham.
Utsava Deity
Swamy Doddacharya
Accoding to legend, Lord Narayana not only took several incarnations in this world to reform the people, but also sent His messengers as preceptors to perform this function. One such preceptor was Doddacharya of Chozhasimhapuram, now known as Sholingur, who lived nearly 470 years ago performing service to Lord Yoga Narasimhar.
At the end of the Rama Avataaram, Anjaneya wanted to join Raama in his abode at Vaikuntam. However, Rama had other thoughts and asked Anjaneya to go to Sholingur to protect the Rishis from Asuras. Rama provided Anjaney with Conch and Chakra.
The temple is believed to be one of the 74 seats established by Ramanuja to spread Vishitadvaita.[8] During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.
Sholingur small Hill(350ft & 406 steps).
Sri Yoga Anjaneyar
Swamy Doddacharyar - Kanchi Varadharaja Garuda Sevai
The Lord showers his blessings on true devotees and has gained the name of Bhaktochitha Swami in Sanskrit and "Thakkan" in Tamil. Amruthavalli Thaayar from uphill visits this temple in Puratasi and stays here with Bhaktavatsala Perumal for two months (Purattasi and Aippasi).
Lord Varadaraja was seated on Garuda Vahana. While Swamy Doddacharya chanted the shlokas, Lord Varadaraja disappeared from the Garuda Vahana. Even as the Pujaris stood stumped. Lord Varadaraja appeared.
Sholinghur, a picturesque town in Vellore district, is most famous for its two hill temples. One for Yoga Narasimhar and one for Anjaneya. In between both these hills housing the Hindu gods is also another ‘Tiny temple’ that has risen to fame for being a ‘Valentine’s Temple’.
The story of this place goes back a few years ago when R. Jagannath, an ardent Krishna devotee residing in Pazhavanthangal, wanted to construct a temple. He chose Sholinghur, where his family still has connections and began work on it in 2011.
Velantine Shri Krishna
Sholingur Town Temple
Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is located at downhills in the Sholinghur Town is also part of Thirukkadigai Dhivya Desam. Since it is located at town, the temple is also called Town Temple. The Temple is located near the Bus Stand. The Temple is believed to be built by Chola Kings. The festival image of Bhaktavatsala Perumal in Thirukkadigai Dhivya Desam is enshrined in this Temple. Adhikesava Perumal is housed in a separate sanctum behind the Utsavar facing east.
It is a known fact that even today it is observed that such abishekam bring rain to this place.
| Month | Festivals |
|---|---|
| Chithirai | Bramothsavam 10 days |
| Vaikasi | Narasima Jayanthi, Vaikasi Garuda Seva, Vasantha Uthsavam, Nammalvar Festival |
| Aani | Summer Festival 3 days. Aani Garuda Seva, Adhikesava perumal, Thiruvona Festival |
| Aadi | Andal Thiruadipora Festival(10 days), Gajendra Motcham, Garuda Seva, Jeshtapishekam |
| Avani | Thirupavithrothsavam. Big Temple 7 days,SriJayanthi |
| Purattasi | Navarathri Uthsavam 10 days. |
| Iyppasi | Dolothsavam oonjal Festival 3 days. Manavala Mamunigal 10 days, Last Friday Deepavali & Vana Bojanam. |
| Karthigai | Karthigai Festival, Festival of light,AnumathJayanthi (Small Hill) ,Thirumangai Alvar Festival 10 days |
| Marghazi | Vaikunta Ekadasi , Pakal Pathu,Rappathu Uthsavam, New year Jan 1, Padi Uthsavam |
| Thai | Andal Thirukalyanam, Western Parivethai, Giri prathkshanam,ThaiPoosam, Float Festival 3 days. |
| Masi | Sri Dhottachariar Annual Birth celebration,Dhavana Uthsavam, MasiFloat Festival |
| Panguni | Telugu New Year's day, PanguniUthram,Thirukalyanam in the BigTemple |
"Gokulaa Lakshmi : Trustees are "shishyas " of Sri vanamamalai Math The Premises (Gokulaa Lakshmi) is blessed by his holiness Sri kaliyan Ramanuja Jeeyar- 30th peethadhipathi of Sri vanamamalai math.
Accoding to legend, Lord Narayana not only took several incarnations in this world to reform the people, but also sent His messengers as preceptors to perform this function. One such preceptor was Doddacharya of Chozhasimhapuram, now known as Sholingur, who lived nearly 470 years ago performing service to Lord Yoga Narasimhar.
Doddacharya was a descendant of Sri Mudaliandan, also known as Dasarathi, who was a nephew of Saint Ramanuja (1200 AD). Dasarathi used to accompany his uncle Saint Ramanuja to the bathing ghat on the Cauvery river, at Sreerangam. He learnt several of the preachings of Saint Ramanuja during these morning walks.
Like Ramanuja, Doddacharya took all steps to propagate Visishtadwaitha and maintain the temples, sanctified by the Alwars' hymns. His descendants are even now looking after the temples on the hills at Sholingur and also Bhaktochita Swami temple at the foot of the hills where the Utsava idols of the hill temple are enshrined.
Sri Mudaliandan and his successor, who was the first Doddacharya, performed several miracles as recorded in holy paces like Kancheepuram, Azhagarkoil near Madurai, Thiruchithrakoodam (Chidambaram), Tirumala and at Sholingur itself. One of the miracles is commemorated even today during the third day of the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam at Kancheepuram when Lord Varadaraja is taken out of the temple, mounted on Garuda. As soon as the Lord approaches the main entrance of the tower, the Lord's image is hidden from public view with two massive umbrellas and "Harathi'' is performed. This is known as "Doddacharyar Swami Sevai''.
Reportedly the Doddacharya who was residing at Sholingur could not make it to the Kancheepuram festival on one occasion. He expressed his inability to the Lord, while standing on the banks of the Brahma Theertham (holy water sources also known as Thakkan Kulam). The Lord, in all His enchanting beauty, sitting on Garuda ( the mystical broad winged bird who flies the Lord) appeared before the Doddacharya, and blessed him. To commemorate this great event, a temple was built on the banks of Thakkan Kulam where the stone idol of Lord Varadaraja mounted on Garuda, is enshrined. Another place where a similar Moolavar idol is found is at the Parthasarathi Temple at Thiruvallikeni (Triplicane). The Lord here has been hailed by Thirumangai Alwar as the one who rushed to rescue the elephant king, Gajendra.
