Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu, represents the divine aspect of protection and righteousness. The legend of Narasimha Avatar revolves around the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who had gained immense power through severe penance. Despite his tyranny, his son Prahlada remained a devout devotee of Lord Vishnu. Angered by Prahlada's devotion, Hiranyakashipu attempted to kill him multiple times, but each time Prahlada was saved by divine intervention.
Finally, Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlada to prove the existence of Lord Vishnu. In response, Prahlada declared that Lord Vishnu existed everywhere, even in the very pillar of their palace. Angered by his son's unwavering faith, Hiranyakashipu struck the pillar with his mace. Suddenly, Lord Vishnu emerged in the form of Narasimha, a half-man, half-lion incarnation, to protect his devotee.
Festivals
The Temple has a number of festivals. The important ones are :
Panaka Vazhipadu
Offering Panakam to Narasimha represents a gesture of devotion & bowing down to the divine and a reminder that even the most dominant beings must ultimately succumb to a higher power.
Narasimha Jayanti
Narasimha Jayanti, also known as Narasimha Chaturdashi, is a Hindu festival celebrated to commemorate the appearance day of Lord Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It usually falls on the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu lunar month of Vaishakha, which typically occurs in April or May.
Contact Address: Vakkom Narasimha Moorthy Temple, Angavila, Trivandrum
