For
several years the Utsavar icon (the
metallic icon of Lord Narasimhar that
can be taken out of the temple premises
on processions) was missing. The Doddacharya
Swamy did penance for 12 years and Lord
Sudarsana appeared before him and showed
him the cave in the hill, where the
icons of Sri Narasimhar and His
consort were lying buried. The Doddacharya
retrieved the icons and had them reconsecrated
in the Town temple. The Utsavar idol
was consecrated on Sarvadhari varsham,
Panguni masam, Valarpirai panchami.
From records, it is known that the Temple
was renovated in 1588 at the behest
of Swami Doddacharya |
As
the festivals and other rituals for
the icons had not been performed for
a long time, Doddacharya sought the
help of Achyutha Deva, a relative of
Sri Krishnadevaraya, one of the more
powerful kings in the region. The ruler,
impressed by the Acharya's mystic powers,
granted a large chunk of area near Chozhasimhapuram
(Sholingur) and with the help of his
disciples Doddacharya established what
is now known as Kondampalayam and also
expanded the beautiful temple, that
included the shrine of Adikesava. The
Utsava idols ( the icons taken out for
processions) of Sri Thakkan and His
consort were enshrined, in the 16th
century, according to inscriptions found
there. The ruler also granted 64 villages
to the Doddacharya. |