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Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
- Devarayanadurga,Karnataka
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Overview
Devarayanadurga is a village in the Tumkur district of Karnataka. The place is quite popular for the Lord Narasimha temple located here. The village lies amidst lush green trees on all sides, that appeals to both pilgrims as well as mountain climbers.
About the Temple
Devarayanadurga is basically a hill stations which houses the famous Yoganarasimha and the Bhoganarasimha temples at an altitude of about 3940 feet. This temple is believed to be quite an ancient one, built by Kanthirava Narasaraja I, and is about 2000 years old. The temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple stands as the finest example of the Chola’s architectural brilliance.
Legend and Stories
According to Legends, the divine creator of this universe, Lord Brahma is said to have built this temple. Brahma Deva had performed severe penance to please Lord Vishnu for thousands of years. Moved by Brahma’s prayers, Lord Vishnu decided to manifested here in the form of yoga Narasimha Swamy.
This place is also popularly known as Karigiri. One other Legend associated with this place, informs us that sage Bhirgu cursed Gandharva brothers, Devadatta and Dhanunjaya that they take the form of a mountain and an elephant respectively. The name “Karigiri” is derived from two words namely “Kari” and “Giri” which means elephant and mountain in Kannada respectively. This place is also called Kusumadri. It is said that Gods showered the Kusumam (flowers) on Shri Maha Vishnu after he destroyed a demon named Pundarika. Thus the hill got to be called Kusumadri.
The Yoga Narasimha Swamy temple has a sacred pond located next to it, called the Kalyani Theertham. A sacred stream of water is believed to run through the Lord the deity’s feet. This holy stream water can be seen by the devotees through the “Shri Padha Theertha” entrance.
Goddess Lakshmi Devi's shrine is found next to the main sanctum of Sri Lord Yoga Narasimha Swamy. The Bhoga Narasimha swamy graces along with Sri Lakshmi Devi in a temple at the foot of the hill . There is also a popular belief that sage Durvasa, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva himself, is said to have installed this “Bhoga Narasimha’s” idol at the hill foot. Lord Bhoga Narasimhar is also the “family deity” of the Mysore kings.
The place was known by different names, during different era. It was originally named Anebiddasari, and later as Jadakana Durga, after a chief named Jadaka. When the Mysore King Chikka Devaraja Wadeyar captured the place, the place was renamed as Devarayanadurga. According to Legends, the place was under the control of a local a chief thief named Andhaka or Lingaka. The chief was outpowered by a prince named Sumati, whose father Hemachandra was the king of Karnataka and ruled from the town of Yadupattana. Upon conquering the place, the Prince is said to have established the city of Bhumandana, near the present day Nelamangala. He also made the place his residence to take care of that particular part of his father’s kingdom.
Under the Hoysalas, there seems to have been, a town on the hill, called Anebiddasari or the cliff from where the elephant fell. An elephant, which the sthala purana describes as a Gandharva, suddenly appeared before the town to the great dismay of the people and after causing considerable damage, the elephant tried to walk up the steep rock on the west, it slipped, fell back and was killed.
The Vijayanagara kings used the same name for this place under their reigns. A large tank called Bukkasamudra, was created from which the River Jayamangali gets its water. Ancient remains of olden town town can still be traced at this site.
Festivals
Shri Bhoganarashimhaswamy Jathra, is the annual temple festival that is celebrated during the months March to April. This is the day when the sacred Ratha (car) of Shri Bhoganarashimhaswamy is pulled by the devotees. Narasimha Jayanthi is yet another festival that is celebrated here during the month of May. A large number of devotees gather here during this time of the year and construct temporary shelters to feed the devotees with panakam, (jaggery water with cardamom flavor) buttermilk and free food.
How To Reach Shree Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
Road
The nearest bus stop is the Bangalore bus station.
Railways
The closest railhead is Devarayanadurga railway station.
Airport
The nearest Airport is the Bangalore International Airport.
Temple Address
Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple,
Devarayanadurga, Tumkur,
Karnataka - 572140.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Salvation
- Wealth
- Relief from diseases
- Purchase of vehicles
- Gain Knowledge
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.
Timings
The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM. And 5:00 PM to 8.00 PM