FAQS

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1	According to several people. Narasimha avtar is an Ugra ( ferocious, angry ) avtar, of the 9 avtars taken by Lord Vishnu. Is the Lord present in a benign state and in which of the temples is he in a benign, calm state?

a. The calm and serene personification of the Lord is present either as Lakshmi Narasimha or Yoga Narasimha. b. There are several Lakshmi Narasimha temples in the country c. However The Lord as Yoga Narasimha is present inly in a efw temples. Of these Sholingur, being a hill temple, is the most famous.

2	Why is the Sholingur temple among the more famous shrines of the Lord Narasimhar?

a. Since the Lord is supposed to have manifested himself, at the behest of the 7 rishis who prayed here, it is believed anyone who prays for a kadigai ( 24 minutes) can attain the Lord's blessings b. Anchaneya wanted to attain the status of the next Brahma, and hence he is in deep penance at Sholingur. The Lord has entrusted Anchaneya to ensure His devotees wishes are fulfilled c. The salubrious place and the weather helps people forget their worries as they climb the two hill temples. They repose full faith in the Lord during the ascent d. Three of the Alwars have sung praises about the Lord in tyheir pasurams. e. On account of these facts and legend about the temple, it has attained prominence

3	Is Sholingur one of the 108 divya desams?

Yes. The Alwars have sung about the glory of Sholingur and the Lord here.

4	Being a hill temple, does one need to observe strict code of dress and worship to seek the Lord's blessings?

According to scriptures, the mere thought of the Lord is sufficient to reach him, while climbing the hill. The Lord is a very friendly Deity who is eager to extend his grace to devotees, and hence there are no specific rituals or codes of worship that needs to be practiced, in order to visit the temple

5	Why is Anjaneyar in such an exhalted status here?

Anjaneyar has been personally appointed by the Lord in Sholingur. Since the Lord is in meditation, he has provided his Shankh and Chakram (conch and discus) to Anjaneyar has his second pair of hands, thereby empowering him. Lord Anjaneyar has been apprised by the Lord he can attain Brahma status at the end of Kaliyuga. Until the, Anjaneyar has to take care of the Lord's devotees. According to mythology, Anjaneyar is Rudhramsam ( he traces his lineage to Siva since his Anjaneya's mother Anjani, was a Siva devotee and had begotten Anjaneyar through her penance to Lord Siva). Sholingur is the only place where Anjaneyar is Vaishnava-vamsam, since he has been personally appointed by the Lord to take care of His devotees ( while the Lord is in penance). The Lord has also advised Anjaneyar the role of protecting His devotees is more important than the post of Brahma that Anjaneyar was aspiring for

6	What does Thirukadigai mean?

The association of Thiru implies the Lord's consort is accompanying Him. Here it is Lakshmi as Amruthavalli who has married the Lord, and helps the devotees earn the Lord's blessings. The Lord's blessings can be invoked by praying at the temple for a Kadiigai ( a unit of time, approx 24 minutes), the place is called Thirukadigai.

7	As part of the blessings in the sanctum sanctorum, water is splashed at the face of the devotees. What is its significance?

There is a practical reason and a sentimental reason. Since its an arduous climb of 1305 steps, over 750 ft high, its soothing and refreshing to have the holy water splashed on the face. It is believed that the Holy water from the Theerthams ( water bodies) has medicinal properties. Hence it is offered as prasadam, as well as the Lord's blessing to the devotee.

8	Is it true that mental disabilities, disorders are cured, by visiting the hill temples?

The location and surrounding of Sholingur has several medicinal plants and herbs. The air is also salubrious and has curative properties. Hence climbing the hill thinking of the Lord, breathing the medicinal air, and meditating, provide intrinsic medicinal value. In addition the divinity pervading the temple site enables devotees surrender themselves to the Lord. Miracle cures have been recorded in the temple site, and till date several disabled, mentally handicapped people have benefited from miracle cures.

9	Why are monkeys allowed in the temple premises?

One of the hallmarks of the temple site is its harmony with nature. The flora and fauna of the region are well preserved. As part of the heritage, the monkeys that are present in large numbers in the hills, are perceived as beings blessed by Anjaneyar.

10	What is seva?

The worship of the Lord and gaining his blessings are called Sevai.

11	What is Kattiyam?

They are the holy verses that describe the Lord. The Doddacharya family are the hereditary temple priests who are nominated to recite these verses during the Thirumanjanmas and other auspicious functions in the two hill temples.

12	How old is the temple?

Recorded history dates the present temples post renovation, to 1500 AD. The Alwars 5 - 8 AD have sung about the temples. While the earliest date of the temple is recorded over 1500 years ago, only the Lord's icon was atop the hill. The icon of Lakshmi was located enroute to the climb to the big hill. Around 1500 AD, the Lord's consort was relocated to the hill top, next to the Lord's sanctum sanctorum.

13	Who are Dhoddacharyas?

Doddacharya was born as the son of Periyappan, a descendant of 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 Srirangam. He learnt several of the preaching's of Saint Ramanuja during these morning walks, He did penance for 12 years and Sri Sudarsana appeared before him and showed the cave in the hill where the idols of Sri Narasimha and His consort were kept. Even now one can find in the second four-pillared mantap on the hill, the images of Doddacharya and Sri Sudarsana on two pillars. Like Ramanuja, Doddacharya took all steps to propagate Visishtadwaita and maintain the temples, sanctified by the Azhwars' 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. Their family resides near the town temple. The current Dhoddacahryar, the 23 rd generation, is dedicated to the cause of sharing the glory of the Lord to all His devotees, in an interesting, informative manner.

14	Can one perform religious ceremonies in the temple vicinity?

Yes. There are marriage halls and event managers who can help perform ceremonies nearby to the hill temples.

15	Can one perform ceremonies to the departed souls here?

Yes. Several rituals both for departed souls and for seeking deliverance from curses can be performed here. It is advised that devotees seek the advice of the doddacharya directly, to know more about these matters.

16	How can one make contributions to the temple?

please write to info@doddachary.org You may also ask any specific personal questions directly to the doddacharya, in a separate mail ID

17	Are there convenient transport facilities from the nearest airport, railway station to the temple?

Yes, there are convenient transposrt facilities from nearest aiport- Chennai and other rail way stations. (Click Here to go to the Directions Page to reach Sholingur)

18	Is the climb strenuous and only for the physically fit?

Any person with a desire to see the Lord can climb the temple. Any time, any day, any month, ( between morning 7.30 am and evening 8 pm) is good to climb the hills. For peole who are unable to climb, there are "Dholi services" ( equivalent of palanquin bearers who carry the devotees on a rigid basket, supported on shoulders. Two or three bearers carry the basket in which the devotee is seated. By normal walk it would take about 40 - 50 mins to climb the Big Hill and about 20 mins to climb the small hill. The entire flight of steps to the big hill is covered with a tin shed, providing much needed protection from the heat, especially during summer months ( march - june). It is mandatory to climb the hills barefooted or as exceptions, with plastic or rubber slippers. Leather or animal hide is to be avoided. There are several places to rest during the climb.