Narasimhar with blood stained sharp nails and Bhaktha Hanuman with a sword and a garland!

Namakkal Anjaneyar temple is located in Namakkal town and is constructed in the dravidian style of architecture. The legend of the temple is associated with Lord Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu appearing for Hanuman and Lakshmi. The idol of Anjaneyar is 18 ft tall, making it one of the tallest idols of Hanuman in India. The idol is carved out of a single stone and believed to be existing from the 5th century. The Agamam (rules for performing pooja) followed in this temple is "Sri Vaikhanasam".

Legend of this temple says, while Sri Anjaneya was bathing in the holy river Kandaki in Nepal, he got a sacred Saligrama stone. As the stone was in the shape of Lord Vishnu, Anjaneya was carrying it through the sky through this place. He had to take bath, but could not as the Saligrama should not be placed on earth. He then found Goddess Mahalakshmi doing penance in this place. Mother told Anjaneya that she wanted to see Lord in the form of Narasimha and hence doing penance. Anjaneya requested mother to hold the Saligrama till he returns after bath. The mother Mahalakshmi agreed on a condition that he should return on time, but Anjaneya could not complete it. So, she placed the Saligrama on the ground and it grew into a mountain. Lord Narasimha appeared before Mahalakshmi and stayed here as Lakshmi Narasimha. Anjaneya also stayed here itself then.

The temple is located on the foot of Namakkal hill on the road from Namakkal to Salem. The temple has a flat gateway tower with a pillared hall leading to the Sannidhi which houses the image of 18 ft Anjaneyar axially facing the Narasimha shrine in the foothills, 430 ft away. There is no roof over the sanctum and Anjaneyar has a unique iconography sporting a sword in his waist and holding a garland made of Saligram.

The speciality of Lord Narasimha here is, the idol has sharp nails used to kill demon Hiranyakasibu and there are blood stains in the palm of Lord. There is Sun, Moon, Brahma, Sanathanar, Janaka around him. As the Lord is Kudavarai Moorthy, there is no Thirumanjanam (Abishekam) for him. It is performed to the Urchavar only. Generally, Mother Lakshmi is seen sitting on the lap of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. Here Mahalakshmi has a place on the chest of the Lord. Sri Namagiri Thayar (Mahalakshmi) has a separate shrine facing east here. Those who wishes to become a mathematics pundit comes here to worship Goddess Namagiri Thayar.

The paintings of Sri Ashtapura Narasimhar, Vaikunda Perumal, Sri Varahar and Ulagalandha Perumal (Lord who measured three worlds in three steps) are the ones which devotees should not miss to see here. The major festival of the temple is the fifteen-day Panguni Uthiram festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March - April) when the image of presiding deities are taken around the streets of the temple. Devotees pray Lord Anjaneya here for academic success, child boon and successful marriage life.