Prathyangira Devi Temple was built for the Goddess Sri Prathyangira. The temple is situated in Sholinganallur, Chennai. Sri Prathyangira Swamigal founded this temple in 1998, and they performed its kumbhabhishekam in 1999. After that, the varahi amman temple was open to being visited by the devotees until now.
The Insights of the Temple
The temple is constructed facing East, and it has an entrance from the North. Kerala architectural style can be seen in the made of the temple and its 2 tier Rajagopuram. There is the shrine of Sri Varahi Amman immediately after the entrance from the North.
Around the shrine of Sri Varahi Amman, there are sub sannadhis of Sri Manthira Varahi amman, Sri Akarshana Sarabeswarar. Sri Samunda Patrakali, Sri Indradevi, Sri Nagaraja Dharbar with 108 nagars, Sri Neela Saraswathi, Sri Sani Bhagwan, Sri Iyappan, Sri Uchishta Ganapathy, Sri Lakshmi Hayagreevar, Sri Siva Sakthis, Sri Annapoorani, Sri Mahalakshmi, Sri Iyswarya Eswar ( Stucco ) with Kuberan, Sri Dakshinamurthy, Sri Balamurugan, Sri Panchamuga Anjaneyar, Sri Gayathri, Sri Kala bhairavar, Sri Durga, Sri Suryan, Sri Agni bhagwan ( Stucco ), Sri Abirami sametha Amirthakadeswarar, Sri Sorkarshana bhairavar, Sri Karkodaka Swamy ( Both Stone and Stucco), Sri Heramba Ganapathy, Sri Dhanvantari, Sri Rishi eswar, and Sri Lakshmi narasimhar & Garudan.
In the varahi amman temple Pratyangira Devi is sitting in Sukhasana; her mount is a lion on which she is sitting fiercely in Sukhasana, keeping her right leg down. She holds a soolam in her right hand.
Worshipping Sri Prathyangira Devi removes all the obstacles and fears from one’s life. Every day pujas are conducted in the temple to worship the prime Goddess. At significant festivals, the priest organizes special pujas and such days attract a large crowd as well. These special pujas mostly take place on Navaratri Days and Onam; they serve Annadhanam on Sundays.
Legend of Devi Prathyangira
The legend about the creation of Devi Prathyangira says that she was created to calm down Narasimhar. It is related to the legend of Prahalad and his demon father, Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu was the demon king and Prahalad was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu.
Being of demonic nature, Hiranyakashipu never wanted his son to worship any Lord. Hiranyakashipu took many steps to convince his son Prahalad not to worship Vishnu. However, Prahalad was full of compassion and devotion for Lord Vishnu, and he didn’t listen to Hiranyakashipu.
One day the demon king was so in fury that he asked Prahalad that where is his God. Prahalad smiled and answered that God is in everything. This irritated Hiranyakashipu even more that he thrashed a pillar and asked Prahalad that if his God was in that pillar. Prahalad smiled and nodded in affirmation; meanwhile, the Fierce form of Lord Vishnu appeared in the avatar of Lord Narasimhar.
The Lord lifted Hiranyakashipu in his hands, put him on his lap, and tore his chest with his bare hands. However, Narasimhar was still fierce, and he got uncontrollable in his anger. Then to pacify Lord Narasimhar, Goddess Prathyangira was created. When The Devi sat on the laps of Sri Narasimhar, he became calm and went back to heaven.
Mantras and Shlokas of the Goddess
“Sarabeshan Rekkaiyaal Vandhavale Potri, Seeriya Simha mugam etravale Potri, Narasimhan Ugiram Thaniththavale Potri, Engal Annai Sri Prathyangira Potri”.
“Val Vinaigal Yaavaiyume Theerpavale Potri, Engal Annai Sri Prathyangira Potri”
Bhairavar Manam Niraindhai Potri
Ashta Nagam Konda Kali Thirisuli
Mantram chanted in Sri Maha Prathyangira Homam:
Om Ksham Krishna Vasase, Simha Vadhane, Maha Vadhane,
Maha Bhairavi, Sarva Shatru Karma Vidhdwamsini,
Paramanthra Chetini, Sarva Bhootha Dhamani,
Sarva Bhoothaam Pandha Pandha, Sarva Vignyaan Sindhi Sindhi,
Sarva Vyadhir Nikrindha Nikrindha, Sarva Dhushtaan Paksha Paksha,
Jwala Jihwe, Karaala Vakhtre, Karaala Dhamshtrey,
Prathyangire Hreem Swaaha.
Slokam – 1
Aparaajithaayaicha Vidhmahe
Shatru Nishoodhinyaicha Theemahi
Thanno Prathyangirayai Prachodhayaath :
Slokam – 2
Ugram Veeram Maha Shakthim
Jwalantham Sarvathomukham
Prathyangira Bheeshanam Pathram
Mrityum Mrithyum Namaamyaham
Slokam – 3
Amma Prathyangira, Devi Prathyangira
Sathyam Prathyangira, Sarvam Prathyangira
Shozinganalluril Vaazhum Prathyangira
Valvinaigal Theerkum Annaiye Prathyangira
Sri Prathyangira Gayatri Mantra:
Om Aparajeethaya Vidhmahey
Pratyangiraya Dheemahi
Thano Ugra Prachodhayaath…
Om Pratayangiraya Vidhmahey
Sathrunisoothiniya Dheemahi
Thano Devi Prajothayaath
Temple Timings and Contact
Varahi amman temple remains open from 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs. On Sundays, the temple closes on 13.00 hours instead of 12.00 hrs.
Contact Numbers: 044-24501404, 24501716, 9444691404.
Temple Website: http://www.sholinganallurprathyangira.com/
How to Reach?
Once you reach Sholinganallur Junction, which is on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), the temple remains at a distance of 1 KM. The temple is situated on the banks of the Buckingham canal, between old and New Mamallapuram roads.
