The Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is the foremost temple of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins in and around Thalassery. The Temple is located in the heart of Thalassery town, in the Kannur district of Kerala. The temple and the prathishta faces North which is a unique feature. The temple was established in 1831 A.D.

The Garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum is where the Main idol or Moola Vigraha is placed. The Garbha Griha in the temple is a ‘Bahu-vera Vidhana’ i.e. more than one idol is installed in the same Garbha Griha. Garbha Griha has a three-tiered “Simhasana” or throne on which the deities are installed.

On the topmost level in the center is Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, flanked by Sri Pattabhi Narasimha and Veera Vittala on either side. On the second tier are Lord Kodanda Rama along with Sri Lakshmana and Sita Devi, on either side of this group are Lord Hayagriva, Lord Varadaraja with his consorts, and Gopalkrishna. On the lowermost tier is Lord Venkataramana along with his Divine consorts Sri Devi and Bhoodevi. On either side of this group are Sri Hanuman and Sri Garuda. The saligramas and Naga devatas are installed on a separate Peetha below the Simhasana. The idol of Lord Venkataramana is used as the Uthsava Vigraha. The temple complex consists of an outer ‘prakara’ or quadrangle which includes the shrines of Sri Hanuman, Sri Ganapathy, Sri Lakshmi & Sri Vitoba-Rakhumai. It also contains a Copper clad Dhwaja Stambha or Flagstaff on which the temple flag is hoisted during Brahma Rathotsava. A shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is located near the temple pond.

Lord is worshiped in the Temple as per Dwaitha traditions. All the Aradhana is done by hereditary Goud Saraswat Brahmin priests, who have performed the services for generations. Only these priests have the right to touch and offer services to the Lord. This set of Archakas are called Bhat.

Source: Wikipedia