- Durga
Devarayanadurga Temple
- Tumkur,Karnataka
- View on map
- Tell us about this temple
Overview
Devarayanadurga is a place in Tumkur district which is famous for its temples dedicated to Lord Narasimha. The place is a favorite with both pilgrims as well as mountain climbers. The hills with lush green trees on all sides make the climbing a lot enjoyable.
On the hilltop are perched two popular Devarayanadurga Temples, the Yoganarasimha and the Bhoganarasimha Temples. These temples are visited by pilgrims all through the year. The Bhoganarasimha is at the base of the hill while the Yoga Narasimha is perched at the top of the hill.
About The Temple
The temple is said to be around 2000 years old. The architecture is an example of Chola rulers’ patronage for art. The temple, built in the Dravidian style of architecture, faces east and is said to have been constructed by Kanthirava Narasaraja I, king of Mysore. From the inscriptions numbered Tumkur 41 and 42, we learn that the enclosure and tower were repaired in 1858 by the Mysore king Krishna raja Wodeyar III.
Bhoganarasimha temple is at the base of the hill and Yoga Narasimha temple is on top of the hill. On the third elevation stands, facing east, a temple of Narasimha, known as the Kumbhi. This Narasimha temple consists of a Garbhagriha, a sukanasi, a navagraha and a mukha mandapa and is similar to the plan of the temple below. In addition to the temple there are three sacred ponds or Kalyani here known as Narasimha-teertha, Parasara-teertha and Pada-teertha.
There is another temple, said to be older than Lakshmi Narasimha swami, dedicated to Hanuman, also known as Sanjivaraya, who stands with folded hands. Higher up above is a small shrine of Garuda. On Easter hill are located travelers bungalow and other guest houses.
Legend and Stories
The place was originally known as Anebiddasari then as Jadakana Durga after a chief named Jadaka and finally as Devarayanadurga after its capture by Mysore king Chikka Deva raja Wodeyar.
Legend has it that a robber chief named Andhaka or Lingaka had his stronghold here, and he was subdued by Sumati, a prince, whose father, Hemachandra, was the king of Karnataka and ruled from Yadupattana. After accomplishing the task, Sumathi is said to have established the city of Bhumandana near the present Nelamangala and taken up residence there for the protection of that part of his father’s kingdom.
Under the Hoysalas, there seems to have been, on the hill, a town 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 doing considerable damage, tried to walk up the steep rock on the west; it slipped, fell back and was killed.
Under the Vijayanagara Kings, the use of the same name continued, and a large tank called Bukkasamudra, was formed from which the river Jayamangali has its source. Remains of the embankment and of the adjacent town can still be traced.
Festivals
Car Festival in Devarayanadurga is an annual festival and held during somewhere in the month of March/April.
On this day the chariot/Ratha of Sri Bhoganarasimha swami is pulled, and on this festival devotees from all over Bangalore, Tumkur and surrounding areas flock to see the beautifully adorned God.
Narasimha Jayanti is an annual celebration of Narasimha incarnation and it takes place during the month of May when thousands of devotees gather and many shelters are built to serve them with summer drinks like Panakam, buttermilk and free food is given to all devotees coming to get a glimpse of the lord.
How to Reach Tumkur
Airport
The nearest International Airport from Tumkur is Bengaluru International Airport, Bangalore, roughly one and a half hour drive from Tumkur. It is well connected to a spectrum of cities like Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Kozhikode through Indigo, Go Air, Air India and Spice Jet etc.
Railways
The town has its own Railway Station named as Tumkur Railway Station. It is well connected to major cities like New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Ajmer and Mysore via Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express, Chennai Hubli Express, Ajmer-Mysore Express and Mysore-Ajmer Express.
Road
There are KSRTC buses plying from Majestic bus station every fifteen minutes to Tumkur. From Tumkur you have to take another bus to Devarayanadurga.
Temple Address
Devarayanadurga Temple,
Tumkur,
Karnataka.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- To have a bright future
Shlokas
Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Maatrirupena Sansthitah Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaktirupena Sansthitah Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaantirupena Sansthitah Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namo Namah
Meaning -Goddess Durga is omnipresent and a personification of the universal mother, who is omnipresent and who embodies power and energy. Oh great mother, who also embodies peace, I bow to you, mother, I bow to Durga and I bow to Shakti.
Ayi Giri Nandini Nandita Medini Vishva Vinodini Nandi Nute Giri Vara Vindhya Shiro Adhi Nivaasini Vissnnu Vilaasini Jissnnu Nute Bhagavati He Shiti Kannttha Kuttumbini Bhuri Kuttumbini Bhuri Krte Jaya Jaya He Mahissaasura Mardini Ramya Kapardini Shaila Sute
Meaning -I offer my salutations to the mountain's daughter, who fills the world with joy, who is praised by Nandi, who lives on Vindhya's summits, who gives joy to Her brother Lord Vishnu and who Lord Indra praises, Oh Goddess who is Lord Shiva's consort and who created abundance. The destroyer of the demon Mahishasura, the one with beautiful hair and the mountain's daughter, victory to you.
Madhu Kaittabha Vidhvamsi Vidhaatr Varade Namah Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi
Meaning -Oh Devi Durga, we salute you for destroying Madhu and Kaitabha and granting Lord Brahma the boon of protection. Please bestow on me spiritual beauty, victory and glory and crush my inner enemies.
Mahissaasura Nirnaashi Bhaktaanaam Sukhade Namah Ruupam Dehi Jayam Dehi Yasho Dehi Dvisso Jahi
Meaning -We salute Goddess Durga who destroyed Mahishasura, the demon, who bestows a lot of happiness on Her devotees. Please bestow on me spiritual beauty, victory and glory and crush my inner enemies.
Timings
The temple is open from 6AM to 9PM.