The Hill Temple is located at Avaniyapuram, 25 km from Vandavasi, en route
Arani and Cheyyar Dam in
Vellore District. It is a hill housing two deities, Narasimha and Venkateswara.
After climbing 70 steps, one can reach the first deity, Lord Narasimha, and another 114 steps lead to Lord Venkateswara. Lord Narasimha is found in a small cave (technically known as kudavarai koil). At the entrance is a three-tier Rajagopuram. Lord Hanuman is seen at the entrance.
In the same hill is the idol of Yoga Narasimha, at a higher altitude where Lord Venkateswara is housed. Lord Narasimha is in a sitting posture with Goddess Lakshmi seated on his left thigh. His left arm is around his consort and his right hand is in abyaha hasta position (pose of showering blessings by indication in hand). His upper hands hold the chakra and the conch.
An exclusive feature of the temple is that the Goddess has the face of a lioness. The utsava idol (procession idol) of Lord Narasimha also has the face of a lion. He has four hands and is accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side. There is also a tiny idol of Narasimha Moorthy in the shrine. Near the Narasimha Temple is a separate shrine for Alarmelmangai Thayar. Five Narasimha moorthies looking similarly are found in the Pancha Narasimhar shrine. There are also idols of Adhi Sesha and Kalinga Nardana Krishna.
At the Lord Venkateswara Temple at the top, the presiding deity, Lord Vishnu, is standing armed with chakra and conch. A separate cave like enclosure is seen in the shrine of Lord Venkateswara where one can see Lord Varadaraja and Perundevi Thayar. Lord Ranganatha is seen on his serpentine bed with Ranganayaki Thayar. Besides, Yoga Narasimha is in a sitting position along with Amirdavalli Thayar.
Festivals celebrated here are Srijayanti, Diwali and Vaikunta Ekadasi. Lord Venkateswara Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October) and parivettai utsavam in
Panguni (March/April).
