The place was originally called as Chozhsimhapuram, which later became Sholinghar. Various scriptures quote the place as Kadigachalam or Thirukadigai as the place is believed to offer blessings to devotees with a worship lasting a Kadigai (24 minutes). Peyazhwar refers the presiding deity as "Vaan Poonkadigai Ilankumaran", while based on legend the presiding deity is also called Bhakotchita Swami. Vishnu Purana and Padma Purana refer this place as Kadigai and since Vishwamitra got his Brahmarishi title here, it became Simhapuram.
Beliefs Associated with Thirukkadigai Temple
Devotees believe strongly that offering prayers will cure problems like mental disability, incurable diseases, and evil influences of witchcraft. Devotees also offer prayers for marriage impediments, marital problems, and sterility. Others believe Yoga Narasimha Swamy fulfills their prayers due to loss in business, poverty, and old age sorrows.
One of the traditional beliefs is that taking a bath in the temple tank will annihilate a person’s Brahmahathi sin. Devotees make offerings of jaggery, rock candy, and plantain fruits. They also offer curd rice and donate clothes, conduct Abishekam, and Pooja.
The devotees undertake Girivlam (circumambulation of the hill) on Pournami (Full Moon day). In the month of Karthigai, devotees take a bath in the temple tank – Chakra Theertham.
The temple has many inscriptions at the foothills and also on the top of the hill. They indicate generous contributions from Kulothunga Chola III Mayuravarman and Seeyagangan. Manavala Mamunigal is believed to have performed enunciation of Thirupavai at this place on the request of his disciple Erumbiappa. The town originally was under the control of Shaivites which is substantiated by the temple ruins near Parappan Kulam, in the valley between two hills. This is where original Sholinghur was situated. Unfinished Nandhis and Sthupas are found in numerous places in Sholinghur.The temple is seen as one of the famous temples of Narasimha and a powerful image of Hanuman.
Sholingur was the scene of the battle between the British and Hyder Ali during July 1781, in which the British won.The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.Religious importance.Thirukkadigai is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Peyazhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples. Peyazhwar describes the place as the one having gardens thronged by a swam by bees.The temple also finds mention in later works by Nathamuni, Thirukachi Nambi, Ramanuja and Manavala Mamunigal. The temple is believed to be one of the 74 seats established by Ramanuja to spread Vishitadvaita. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar. Doddacharya was a Vaishnava saint believed to be the descendant of Mudaliandan. Doddacharya followed the steps of Ramanuja in advocating Vishishadvaita and maintained the temples hailed by the Azhwars. He is believed to have performed lot of miracles and impressed by his work, Achyuta Deva Raya (1529-42 CE), the relative of Krishnadevaraya gave him benovelent donations for maintenance of temples. During festival occasion in the temple like Brahmostavam, Doddacharya is given a special place in processions and also during the Garuda Sevai in Kanchipuram temple. A festival named Doddacharya Utsavam is celebrated during the Tamil month of Masi (February - March). His descendants are believed to administer the religious activities during modern times. The temple is frequented by people with mental illness, who are believed to get cured by the grace of the presiding deity.
Festive image of Doddacharya, one of the proponents of Vishishadvaita philosophy