This article is written based on my first visit to the temple in August 2022 and is meant to provide a basic guideline for 1st time travelers. I have updated it as on 18th June 2024 to include some more information. I plan to do more visits and will be updating this article with more information.
The Yoga Narasimhar Temple in Thirukadigai is revered as the 64th Divya Desam among the 108 Divya Desams. Located approximately 100 kilometers from Chennai and 30 kilometers from Tirutanni, our journey began at 5:30 am from Chennai, reaching Tirutanni by 8 am.
We searched for a breakfast spot in Tirutanni but found few options. Eventually, we settled for the only available hotel. We recommend packing a light breakfast from home to save time and ensure you have enough energy for the intense climb. Climbing on an empty stomach is not advisable, especially for those unfamiliar with the terrain or those with health concerns.
The temple opens at 8 am, and it’s best to arrive at the foot of the hill between 7:15 am and 8 am. At the entrance to the holy hill, we purchased a stick for Rs. 10 to ward off monkeys if you plan to hike by foot. Most recently, an article was published that the rope car facility was being inaugurated, which was not available when I visited.
The monkeys
Monkeys abound at the temple, often in large numbers. They have a knack for taking away anything you carry, aside from your devotion. This serves as a metaphorical reminder that in spiritual life, our desires can similarly be taken away. Monkeys are known to snatch water bottles, cola drinks, flowers, garlands, and food items from visitors.
Observing their behavior is quite fascinating. For instance, if they get hold of a coconut, they first make a small crack to access the water. Later, they break it into pieces to share among their groups.
The 1305 holy steps
Right at the entrance to the steps stands the Anjaneyar Temple, a must-visit before beginning the ascent. The staircase itself consists of precisely 1305 clean granite steps, each sheltered with a roof for comfort. The climb typically takes about an hour and a half at a comfortable pace, with milestones marking every 100 steps along the way.
During the ascent, there are two pitstops offering bottled water and cold drinks, as well as free water stations provided by the temple, which appeared safe to drink. Given the steepness, we made use of both pitstops for refreshment.
Notably, these steps were the sole route to reach the temple. We observed a few swing-type palanquins manually carrying senior citizens, providing an alternative for those unable to climb. But now, the rope-car facility seems to have been open. Kindly explore before you start you hike.
At the temple
Upon reaching the temple, the path to the right leads to the free darshan area, while the left leads to the paid section. Despite our search, we couldn’t locate the ticket counter, so we proceeded to the right. Visiting on Ekadesi day meant there was a queue, but we were able to glimpse Amritavalli Thayar first. Despite the crowd, there was space to linger and admire the goddess a bit longer.
Moving along the queue towards the Sanctum of Yoga Narasimhar, we encountered the rare sight of the Sapta Rishi, meditating and facing the Lord—an unforgettable first-time experience for me. The profound joy of seeing Yoga Narasimhar after climbing 1305 steps was overwhelming.
On the return, we were fortunate to see Amritavalli Thayar once more, this time with fewer visitors, allowing us another peaceful moment with her.
A few highlights of the temple
- Divya Desham – 64th of 108: Recognized as one of the 108 Divya Desams, this temple holds the prestigious position of being the 64th.
- Yogic Posture of Lord Narasimha: The deity Lord Narasimha is seated in a yogic posture, hence the temple’s name “Yoga Narasimhar Temple.” Amrithavalli Thayaar also resides here alongside him.
- Thirukadigai: Vishwamitrar attained the title of Brahma Rishi within one ‘Kadigai’ (24 minutes or one Nazhigai) at this sacred site, leading to its name “Thirukadigai.”
- Darshan of Saptarishis: The Saptarishis (Seven Sages) sought to behold Lord Vishnu in his Narasimha form here. They were blessed with his darshan within the span of one ‘Kadigai’, highlighting the temple’s spiritual potency.
Climb down
After our customary sit at the temple, we began our descent. The view from the top is truly unmissable, and the climb down took us the same amount of time.
During our descent, a thought-provoking question arose from my friend: Do you articulate your wants and desires before praying or visiting temples? In short, yes. Each of us holds varying perspectives shaped by our life experiences. Personally, I recommend exploring the insights in “Prayer Guide” by Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, published by Arsha Vidhya Ashram, for further understanding.
The Yoga Anjaneyar Temple
‘The Yoga Anjaneyar Temple’ is situated in the adjacent hill. It has 400+ steps. More details on that later.
