Yoga Narasimha Perumal Temple, Narasingam

Narasingam, a village 8 km from Madurai on the Melur road, takes its name from the Yoga Narasimha Perumal cave temple below the Yanaimalai hills. Madurakavi, also called Marankaari, minister of the Pandya king Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan, began the temple in 770 CE, and his brother Maran Eyinan completed it. It is a good example of Pandya cave sculpture: the image of Narasimha is carved out of the hill itself, with a mandapam in front and a stone shrine to the goddess Narasingavalli before it.

Legend says the sage Romasa did penance here seeking children and asked to see Narasimha; the god appeared in such fierce heat that even the celestials suffered, and he calmed only when Prahlada came and Lakshmi took her place in him as Narasingavalli, turning him into Yoga Narasimha. Another tale says Shiva was freed from sin after bathing in the nearby Chakra Theertham, and a dip there is believed to wash away all sins.