This Shekthram is situated in Madras-Bangalore Rail line. Fast  way  is to take brindaavan express/Tirupati express from Madras to Arakonam Junction and take Bus from  there.Bus facility is not very good from Arakonam (you can hire an auto for Rs 125/). Sholingar Railway station is 9 miles from the temple,which is far away from the temple.Don't get down at sholingur station to go to temple. One can take a direct bus from Madras to Thiruththani ( famous Murugan temple town) and from there you can get plenty of buses to sholingur.You have to take an auto from Sholingur bus stand to go to Kondapalayam where the both Narasimhar and Hanuman temle are situated.Thiruvallur divya desam is close to Thiruththani and if you are taking a Cab you can cover that temple also on your return to Madras. Moderate facilities are there for stay.  There  is  a big  Kalyana  Mandapam  for  organized  group  tours,  and  several  "Mess" facilities are there.Sunday,Friday are crowded days in the temple.Beware of fierceful monkeys on your way to hill top. The scenic beauty from the top of the hill is wonderful.Remeber to take a dip in the Takkan kulam. Wonderful tank with full of water for the most of the time in the year.

There are three temples to see.

1. Koil in the town (or in the foot hill)
Moolavar - Not present
Uthsavar - Bakthavatsala Perumal (Thakkaan)
One can have Darshan of Adikesava perumal at the rear end  of  this  temple only on  certain  occasions.  There  are  separate  sannathis  for  Andaal, Azhwaars, Erumbiyappa, and Thottaachaarya.

2. Periya Malai or Kadikaachalam. approximately 500 feet high.
Moolavar : Yoga Narasimhar (Akkaarak kani)
Iruntha sayanam, Veetru iruntha thiruk kolam. ie Perumal is sitting in  the lotus posture (ie. deeply meditating posture). East facing.
Thaayaar : Amirtha Valli
Theertham : Amirtha Theertham, Thakkaan Kulam, paandava theerththam Vimaanam: Simha Koshtakruthi Vimaanam, Simhaagra Vimaanam and hEma kOti vimaanam
Prathyaksham : Saptha Rishis, Vishvaamitrar, Siriya thiruvadi

3. Siriya Thirumalai :200 to 250 feet high.
Deity : Yoga Aancchneyar has Changu, Chakkram in his hands, has four hands.

Sri vishnu purraanam  and paathma puraanam offers details about this sthalam.

  It is believed that Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar came to this palce after hiranya vatham and stayed here for "ever" in this Yoga sayanam posture. It is well kown that  Srinarasimha avathaaram took place at "Sri Ahobilam". However, since munivars requested the presence of Sri Narasimha here on an endless timescale, The LORD Narasimha chose to stay here for ever. This is also confirmed by thirumangai aazhwaar's reference to "thakkkaanai" in his paasuram presented in this article.  Among all the other avathaarams this and the "vaamana avathaaram are the most significant becuase of the fact that they both accomplished the misssion instantly. Many of the LAkshmi Narasimha bakthaas believe that by praying to this LORD (who is an instant acccomplisher), their prayers are fulfilled instantly if not atleast an instant relief is offered without delay by this LORD.  (An analysis is presented at the end of this thala puraanam on narasimha  avathaaram and this shrine's importance as "kadigai" or
instant reliver.).

 It is a belief that, One, would  attain Moksham simply by staying here for one Kadigai  (period  of time) ie approximately half hour in  this  shekthram.  Hence  it  is  named Thiruk kadigai. It is believed that Saint Vishvaamitrar meditated  for  one kadigai on Lord Narasimhar and obtained his title "Brimha Maharishi"  here. The Saptha Rishis and vaamathEvar came to
this  place  and  and  started  penance  to  have darshan of Narasimha Avathaaram, and the Lord fulfilled their  wish  within one kadigai of penance. Hence this hill is known as Kadikaachalam.

 After Sri Raama avathaaram, aanchneYa wanted to go back to sri vaikundam, and serve the LORD there. The Lord instructed anchnEya to goto this place and protect the rishis penance from the oncoming danger. Two demons by name "kaalan and kEyan" appeared as soon as the rishis started penance and started to distrub their effort. Sri hanuman wanted an
instant tool to stop it and Lord Rama offered him his changu and chakram with the help of which Hanuman killed the demons and prevented the tapas of saptha rishis and vaamathEvar .  Hanuman also had the darshan of sri Narasimha in his avathaara
kOlam at the lapse of a kadigai, and along with the rishis, and accepted the order of Lord Narasimha to sit in front of HIM in the small hill  and serve as a  protector for those whoever comes to this hills seeking relief from demons or demon
effects.

 It is believed that Lord Narasimha  asked Hanuman to stay here until the end of the Kali yugam and reach him after that. There is no other place AanchnEyaa has such prominance, ( a hill and temple as his OWN abode) and also with changu
chakram and with four hands.

 Sage Durvaasa once sought the thiruth thuzhaay maalai (ie thulasi garland) of this perumal  and danced with great joy by sporting this "maalai" on his own shoulder and and sirasu. There were many saadhus present at that time  and were witnessing this event. Buthan or mercury one of the Nava grahams was also present in the form of a saadhu and he laughed at this sage's act. Sage Thurvaasa cursed him and lord budhan had to stay here in this sthalam and served all those sages who came with great pleasure to this shrine after taking bath in the paandava theerththam and got his curse (spell) cured or removed.

 On  the  way to hills Garuda Aaaroodar Varadha Raaja perumal sannithi is  there.  It is believed that Kaanchi Varadhar offered  Garuda  Vaahana  Sevai  to Maha Achaaryar known as Thottaachaaryar here. (as he was not able to goto
 Kanchi that year and instead did meditate on this LORD to offer that darshn there itself).  Even to-day this event is observed in Kaanchi and simulatneously here as a "puase" is kept at the entrance of this temple during the bramotsavam and garuda sErvai such that the LORD goes to kadigai for that instant to offer sEvai to thottaach chaaryaa. Similarly "erumbiyapa" was also one of the great mahaans lived in this place and served the LORD. This place is also used to be very fertile like chola naadu and was hence called as "CHola Simha puram" which became sholinga puram later. In pattinap paalai, it is refeerred that, Cholan
karikaalan peruvaLaththaan called this district as "kadigaik kOttam": when he subdivided his kingdom into 48 distritcs. This place is also one of the 74 simhaasanam established by Sri Raamaanuja in his 74 simhhaasanaas outlining the principles of Sri vishitaahthvaitham.

    Similar to Gunaseelam near Trichy, this place is also known for  relief from possessing, Billi Sooniyam, etc. People come here and do  Vratham  for many days, take bath in Thakkaan  kulam  which  is  believed  to  have  the essence of many Mooligais and climb  the  hills  every  day  to  pray  anchaneYaa and Lord Narasimhar and get their "Pini" or "Diseases" or
"Theeraatha nOykaL" cured here.

 This place is also known for the presence of many "Siththars" similar to Thiruvannaamalai, Kollimalai, and Kutraalamalai. It is believed that the administration of this temple is under the Aatheenam  of  Sthala  aachaarya purushaals of Thottaachaaryar Clan.

In "4000" both thirumangai in his periya thorumozhi (naaraayana saptham) and peyazhwaar in imoonRaam thiruvanthaathi (saraangathithvam), offered these paasurams. 1731.

mikkaanai ; maRaiyaay viriththa viLakkai ennuL
pukkaaNnaip pugazhsEr polikinRa ponmalaiyai
thakkaanaik kadigaith thadangunRiNn misaiyiruntha
akkaarak kaNniyai adainthuynthu pOnEnE

    thirumangai aazhwwar in periya thirumozhi

The meanings for "thakkaanai" in azhwaar paasuram confirms that HE styed here for ever. "mikkaanai" confirms that he is ever prevading and "pukkaanai" here means that HE is in every soul and  HE uncovered and inserted the eternal spiritual light within me. "Akkaara kaniyai" means the fruit which is unadeltered sweet 100% and nothing less or more than a sugar. En element of
sugar or a fruit that ripes from the tree of pure sugar (assuming such a tree).

3444.

pandellaam vEnkadam paaRkadal vaikuntham
kondaNG kuRaivaarkuk kOyilpOl vaNdu
vaLankiLarum neeLsOlai vaNpooNG kadikai
iLangumaraNn RaNn viN Nagar

     pEyaazhvaar The Lord who resided in Sri vaikundam, made his presnece available for the bakthaas of boolOga in those places where the beautiful vaNdus are dwelling in the Solai p push pangal of these sthalangal in ThiruvEngadam, Kadikai and thiru viNNagaram (oppiliappan koil)

Manavaala Maamunikal and Erumbiyappaa's Sriman Naathamuni, Sri raamaanuja's Mangalaa saasanam  besides
 

 In the noorettu thirup pathi yanthaathi, it is cited similar to the citation in "4000" for " thiruththip paNikoLvaan", as

"seerruLaal nammaith thiruththi naam munnaRiyaak
kooraRivum thanthadimai koNdathaRkE- nErE
oru "kadikaiyum" manamE uLLukilaay muththi
tharu kadikai maayavanaith thaan"

This malai or hill is also known as "Ekasilaa parvatham" meaning that the entire hill is made of one stone, which is true and one can see that when they visit this shrine. There are unique methods or procedures attributed to each of the 108 sthalam as  "vazhipaatu niyamanam". At thiruppathi having the hair shaved and having a supra paatha darshanam are the "best", in oppiliappan koil observing sravana vratham (without salt) on sravanms is the ideal. In this temple, it is the desire of the LORD that his bakthass climb the steep footsteps (which are similar to the parama patha Sobaanam) and pray the LORD.

. The development of the town was given  a  kick  start  due  to  the construction of two of their divisions by  TVS groups here. Sundaram Fasteners and Lucas TVS manufacturing facilities are  here,  providing  some  capital flow to this town. The  Tamil  Nadu  Govt.  has  proposed  to  develop  and construct the "Manufacturing Technology Park" in consortium with  Singapore
Govt. and several singapore companies, similar to the  software  technology park in Bangalore, here in Sholingar.

    The Lakshmi Narasimha Sabha is an organization believed to  be  founded 21 years back and is in active service to the Lord Narasimhar all over  TN, Andhra, etc. It is founded by Mrs. Yadugiri, a Lakshmi Narasimha  Ubaasagar and a devout Ahobila Mutt  follower. She has composed many slokankaL both on  sankrit and Tamil on this perumall.  She  is  also  a  disciple  of  Singa perumaal Koil Aachaaryar who is himself a Narasimhar Ubaasagar  also.  They do  Bajans  every  Friday  at  their  place  in  "Desikaa"   chaari   road, "Aazhwaar"pettai, Madras. The Panguni Utthiram  is  celebrated  every  year
here in a grand scale. They have executed few projects earlier and one such was a silver peedam for Yoga Narasimhar at sholingar in 1980. I encourage every baktha and Srivaishnavaa to visit the shrine at her residence when they visit
 Madras, India.

The Address:
 Lakshmi Narasimha Sabha
 11, Desikachari Road,
 Aazwaar pettai
 Madras.
 
 

An Analysis on sri Narasimha avathaaram and this shrine at sholingar as the instant reliever.

It is believed that Hiranyakashyup constructed this pillar with his own hands and went for penance seeking brahmaa's blessing to become invincable and indestroyable. The Lord stood up with "prahalaadha" for his satyaagrhaa all through out but when this final encounter took place, Hirayankshup pointed to the particular pillar and asked if the ever prevading LORD is "in" that
particular pillar. The Lord came off and  HE waited untill hiranya kashipu attacked him first. He (hiranyan) only asked for the presence and after seeing that he couldnot stand empty with his ("ego") preconceived notion that he is invincible. HE chose to attack first and Lord Narasimha (will not attack an unopposed man) waited untill opposed physically and  killed him with his bare hands later. The nails are the avthaaram of the vajraayudam here. The Lord's anger caused "thiruk kailaayam" to melt and Lord Shiva came to plead to Lord Narasimhaa and take  shelter there. Lord would not calm down by this appeal (shivaas appeal), and subsequently the dEvaas appealed to maaha lakshmi to request him to cool down, and HE would not calm down either. At last when prahalaadan himslef appeals for mercy and for saving all the three worlds  (otherwise they faced extinction due to his veppam) Lord cooled down and blessed him for his satyaagraham and eka vishvaasam or mahaavisvaasam and bakthi. This is another proof that noone can predict the avathaaramas and the very nature of their course, the avathaaram would take;  except that one can analyse after the avathaaraam and learn from that. Avathaarams are taken as per LORD's
own will and no devaa or Lord shivaa can know about it. karma has no role in it.

 If they had known the outcome, they would not plead for their lives at the height of this avathaaram. Thus by this avathaaram, Lord Narasimhaas's  lesson to us is that Lord is not bound by any demigod's appeal and even Piraati's appeal and HE is the sole authoirty granting "sarNaagathi". Even if "Piraati" has to say that you may delay or offer the saraNaagathi to a soul, LORD will choose to differ piraati's advise and prevail his own descretion and offers saraNaagathi and is not bound by anyone when granting saraNaagathi.

 The second point is if one has to worship LORD Narasimha, here for a specific boon or saraNaagathi, he will offer the
same ATONCE. All the avathaarams has  to live for a finite time in a life cycle before their mission was accomplished. It is believed that people who cannot go their to this shrine can also obtain the same if they meditate on this LORD for a kadikai from whereever they are, and seek a boon or a relief or acceptance of  saraNaagathi. As a  precedance and keeping in view with the above statement for facilitating the worhip of this LORD in kadigai from where we are , I am also presenting the dyaana slokam  of this shekthram which are not available for a public domain normally.

Dyaana slokankaL
1.
"Simha mukE roWdra roobinyaam
abaya hasthaankitha karuNaamoorthE
sarva vyaabithamm loka rakshanyaam
paapa vomOchanam "thuritha nivaaraNam"
lakshmi kadaaksham sarvaabeeshtam
anEham thEhi "lakshmi narasimhaa"

   Yadugiri padmanaaban
2.
"Ugram veeram mahaavishnum
jvaalantham sarvathoMukaam
naarasimaham beeshanam bathram
mrithyum mrithyum nammam yaham"

 Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, thiruk  kadiyilankumaran thiruvadikalE saraNam

   Modified from SrI Sampath Rengarajan's original article that appeared in Bhakti list archeives in 1996.