Parrikal

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Parrikal is a small village about 40 kilometers from Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. Parrikal is famous for its ancient temple which houses Shri Lakshmi Narasimha (the fourth avatar of Vishnu). Lots of Madhva Brahmin families of the Shri Vyasaraja Mutt(Sosale) order owe allegiance to Parrikal Lakshmi Narasimha as their Kula Devata (God being worshiped ancestrally). Lore has it that the idols here are very ancient prathisthapane (installation) dating back to 1500 BC.

[edit] History

Very little is known about the history of this holy place. It is believed that idol of Shri Lakshmi Narasihma the 4th avatar of Vishnu which has been consecrated was made by lord Brahma himself. As per the Purohit (Brahmins who perform the daily rituals at the temple), the Chola kings had great reverence towards this temple.

Off-late the temple is under the temple endowments department of Tamil Nadu. There is a meal scheme at the temple, where devotees are provided with free lunch.

[edit] Transport

Parrikal is about 28 kilometers from Villupuram, which is about 150km from Chennai. The best way to reach Parrikal would be to hire a cab at Chennai and drive towards Villupuram and then take a right turn opposite to a large idol of Shri Hanuman. Parrikal is about 3 km from the Chennai-Villupuram highway.