Karthika Brahmotsavam Simha Vahanam

Karthika Brahmotsavam Simha Vahanam 2015, Tiruchanoor Temple

The Goddess Padmavathi Devi, who is also believed to be the incarnation of Chenchu Lakshmi-the famous tribe girl in Narasimha Avatara who appeased Ugra Narasimha to come to His normal state with Her splendid beauty, took pleasure ride on Simha Vahana in Yoga Narasimha Avatara on Thursday evening.

Narasimha is often visualized as half-man and half-lion, having a human-like torso and lower body, with a lion-like face and claws. He is known primarily as the ‘Great Protector’ who specifically defends and protects his devotees in times of need.

The Narasimhavatara is considered to be fourth incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. The Lord appeared as Ugra Narasimha to kill demon Hiranyakasipa and protect Prahlada. At this juncture the heat emanated from Him was unbearable. Even the celestials were affected by it and they all prayed the Lord to calm down. As the Lord could not be pacified, they then sought the help of Prahlada, on whose request the lord has given up his Ugra state to some extent. The deities later prayed Goddess Mahalakshmi, who took the guise of a tribal woman-Chenchu Lakshmi and pacified the Lord with Her eloquent love. After this the Lord became Yoga Narasimha.

In the evening, the Goddess took a pleasure ride on ‘Simha Vahanam’ around the four streets encircling the temple, representing the manifestation of ultimate power-Yoga Narasimha Murthy. The deity was on this carrier, which makes one think that She is symbolically on a mission to slay the demons and rescue Her believers.