Shree Dhaali Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple

Overview

Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple is located at a village called Doddadalavatta, near Madhugiri, in the Tumakur District of the state Karnataka, India. Doddadalavatta lies very close to the border of the states Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The place is popularly known as the “village of temples”. The village houses a number of temples like the Eshwara temple, Maramma temple, Mutyalamma temple, Kerekodi Satyamma temple, Patalappa and Eralakkaiah temples, other than this Laksminarasimha Swamy temple.

About the Temple

Doddadhalavatta village lies at a distance of 38 km from the town of Madhugiri and is around 16 km from Hindupur. The place is also famous for the Red Rubi Stones that are available in plenty here. This place is believed to have had business ties with the Nawabs of Rajastan in the olden times.

The holy shrine of Lord Lakshminarasimha Swamy is historically significant. The shrine is believed to have received the patronage of the Vijayanagara rulers. The village fell under the jurisdictions of Mahanadu, under the Madhugiri kingdom. Madhugiri Kingdom came under the control of the Vijayanagar rulers. A big contingent of army called as Doddadala (Big army of soldiers) was established here in order to protect its borders. It is said that Mahanadu Prabhu of Madhugiri kingship Sri Chikkappa Gowda had named the place “ Doddadalavatta”, in memory of his victory over Palyagar Byrendra of Karehalli. Palyagar had invaded the place, which resulted in the battle of Penugonda. Raja Chikappa Gowda tasted victory in the battle with the help of this border army contingent.

The temple follows the Dravidian architectural style and was built during the rule of Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire in between 1510 and 1530 B.C. The temple consists of magnificent structures like the huge Prakaran, tall Vimanagopuras, Sukanasimantapa, Antarala, Rangamantapa and Bhogamantapa. These structures are well known for its design and architectural excellence.

Lord Lakshminarasimha's Moola vamoorti is a beautifully carved Black stone image. One another stone idol of the Lord was made in the year 1982 and was installed (pratistapana) adjacent to Udbhavamoorti (Moola moorthi).

According to Stala Purana, Lord Vishnu incarnated here as Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy in the form of black stone Udbhavamoorti after giving his Darshan to his disciple sage Dala Maharshi who was under penance for years under a Big Banyan tree. As such the place is came to be known as Doddadalavatta.

Another legend informs us about the construction of a temple dedicated to this deity. Once, Few traders from Hindupur who were passing this place, happened to camp here temporarily. This place was surrounded by dense forest. It is said that unknowingly they used the stone formation of the lord along with other normal stones as a burner stove to cook their food. The food they prepared became red with blood. The Traders were scared to see this transformation. However, the lord appeared before them in the form of a boy and told about their miss deed. He also asked them to build a temple as repentance. The traders did as instructed and hence came this temple into existence.

The temple has stone inscriptions that mentions about the construction of a temple by Sri Chikkappa Gowda known as Mahanadu Prabhu of Madhugiri kingship under Vijayanagara empire. The inscription also reveals of the temple’s Bramhotsava that is celebrated out every year, spanning for duration of five days, starting from Ashada Shudda Dashami till the Pournami.

The Rajagopura is believed to be over 50 feet tall, and was built by Mahanadu Prabhu. This ancient structure stood dilapidated, after which a new Rajagopura of the temple was recently constructed. A Samudaya bhavana has also been built by the local MP, from his M.P. funds.

The temple also has a Kalyani (temple tank) with sufficient water. The teppothsava is conducted every year in this temple, which is celebrated sometime after Bramha ratothsava near this Uyale Kalyani.

To the east of Lakshminarasimha swamy temple is an ancient temple of Lord Eshwara, which is quite famous. This Shiva Kshetra is said to be one of three rarest Eshwara temples in India, which has a Rudrabhoomi (Smashana the cremation ground) adjacent to the temple. This feature is also found in the world renowned Kashi Vishweshwara temple.

Festivals

Bramharatotsava of Lord Lakshminarasimha Swamy is being held every year for five days starting from Ashada Shudda Dashami to Pournami.

How To Reach Shree Dhaali Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple

Road

The nearest bus stop is Doddadalavatta village.

Railways

The closest located railhead is Hindupur Railway Station (Andhra Pradesh).

Airport

The nearest Airport is Puttparthi Domestic Airport.

Temple Address

Shree Dhaali Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple,
Doddadalavatta, Chikkadalavatta Post,
Madhugiri Taluk Tumkur District
Karnataka - 572127.