Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Bhadravati, Karnataka
It is so disappointing when you travel all the way to a temple and find it locked. Obviously shows that my planning wasn’t good. We reached around 4.30PM at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati and saw the lock on the door staring back at us. It would open only at 6.30, that is 2 hours later we were told.
All we could do was pradakshina (circumambulation) of the temple. The simple pradakshina we did kept us captivated for long. The wall panels of the temple are engraved with such rich detailed sculptures.
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The construction of this temple by Hoysalas dates back to 13th century. King Veera Narasimha, grandson of King Vishnuvardhana, built this temple.
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Bhadravati
Lakshmi Narasimha is a trikuta temple, meaning temple with 3 shrines. The whole temple stands on a 3 feet high Nakshatra style (star shaped) platform.
The engravings though are not as rich as I saw in Amrutheshwara Temple nevertheless stunning and worth feasting your eyes on. The first collage has the exterior of Garbhagudi. It is the abode of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha idol, one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu.
The temple has idols of Lord Sri Krishna, Lord Purushottama, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Sharadamba along with the deity the Lord Narasimha.
The temple has mukhamantapa at its entrance, open hall with black shiny pillars. There is a closed central hall with no windows. This connects the mukhamantapa with the three sanctums. The outer wall has two sets of carvings. The lower panel at our eye sight level has carvings of Gods and Goddesses accompanied by performing musicians.
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – Architecture
This temple is constructed using soap stone, and they do feel soapy when you touch them. The stone can be scratched with bare nails, though I never experimented this.
Some selected idols on the wall panel are worshiped by locals. They apply oil, turmeric, vermilion etc to the idols. I don’t know whether their prayers are heard and desires fulfilled or not, but they have successfully managed to damage the soft stone features.
In addition to excessive devotional feelings, there are also a set of people who involve in vandalism here. It saddened me to see the deliberately damaged idols.
The temple complex has a huge banyan tree. Several idols are placed around it.
Legend of Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
The temple is situated on the banks of River Bhadra. There is an interesting story how this part of Karnataka, Bhadravati was formed.
Lord Vishnu, taking the avatar of Varaha (wild boar), rescued Bhudevi (Goddess Earth) from under the sea where she was held captive, from the clutches of Hiranyaksha demon. When Varaha lifted Earth supported by his sharp tusks, the two trenches formed gave birth to the rivers Tunga and Bhadra.
Below are a couple of collages of the sights around this Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.
Location of the Temple in Bhadravati
Lakshminarasimha Temple is located in the old town area of Bhadravathi. It is now maintained by the Archaeological Department of Karnataka State. Once you are in Bhadravathi, you can avail any local transport to reach to this temple.
Since we were on our own, in a car, we had to ask local people for the final direction to the temple.
Other Hoysala temples nearby are Amruteshwara Temple near Tarikere and Sri Chintamani Narasimha Sri Rameshwara at Koodli, the place where Tunga and Bhadra merge to form Tungabhadra.
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i wish we could preserve our history and culture in a better way. we have so much to see in India but little do we pay attention to such beautiful sites..
Great architecture. 🙂
Wonderful place.
Nice… I had lived in Bhadravathi at one time & had not visited the temple. Your post motivates one to visit.
Amazing Architecture and interesting Narration, Indrani.. Well presented!
Glad to know about this Hoysala temple.
Amazing architecture and a lovely place to see! Thanks for sharing to us!
Never heard about this temple.
Thanks for sharing.
Would you know the technical name of Soap Stone?
Hi Anuradha, so happy to see you in my blog.
Regarding soap stone I found this in wiki: Soapstone (also known as steatite, or soaprock) is a talc-schist., which is a type of metamorphic rock.
Great information with pictures Indrani, I hate it when people damage things in the name of prayer. No one is taking any steps there?
That story of Varaha is really interesting. Beautiful temple and you have captured it so well 🙂
I was unaware of this temple. This time when I travel to my native, will not miss to visit this. Thanks Indrani
Great aesthetics! Beautiful carvings.
It’s better early to come before opening time than missing the whole thing itself.
I know… it is so disappointing — visiting some place and not being able to get in.
I love the walls of Hoysala temple. So ornate!!
Beautiful captures of the temple Indrani! Its so sad to see the carvings damaged!!
It is disheartening to see that we don’t have any value of our rich heritage and we leave no stone unturned to destroy it more 🙁
Beautiful temple !!
Hello, beautiful images of the temple. The carvings and details are always amazing to me. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!
These beautiful carvings have survived well…….wonderful architecture too!
Thanks for sharing this.
A lovely description with beautiful pics. I’ve the same question in my mind as Mridula.
No we didn’t wait Ravish!
Really love Indian temples at least for the architecture…
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing.
This is a beautiful temple with such lovs.ely carving
We sadly don’t value our heritage 🙁 Did you manage to wait till the temple opened?
No we didn’t wait Mridula. 🙁
Beautiful temple. Sad you could not get in . Wonder what the insides would be if the outsides are so beautiful
great pics
Great pics and narration! Thank you Indrani:)
such a excellent article
Its unfortunate, we can not preserve our rich heritage well. Your pictures caught it perfectly.
Soap stone! Had no clue about such a thing till date. Temple has some stunning architecture!
Temple looks beautiful. Nice story for the rivers.
Hello Indrani, I think it is not the first time you mention vandalism and damage to temples you have visited in India. So sad, stuff like this happens. I have also visited places when they are closed. Plus, I have been led to believe that a place is closed when it was really open (but there was a scam involve din that one).
Beautifully captured and a fascinating tale as always!
Amazing sculptures and carvings ! One gets awestruck gazing at these real gems !
Thanks for sharing..nice post.
Really sad to see damages. Nice pictures.
Lovely architecture 🙂
Nice guide, and great pictures
I didn’t know about soap stone 🙂 It’s a beautiful temple… the architecture is super…
Such amazing architecture!
Nothing irritates me as much as deliberate damage to beautiful works of art. I laughed at your opening sentence as I had begun this week’s post with ‘timing is everything when you travel’. . ..
I agree Jackie… timings cannot be ignored or overlooked. 🙂
Thanks for you visit and comment. 🙂
Sad to see the damage — particularly that is done in the name of belief, but what history!! Great post for the day, Indrani, as always!! Hope you have a great new week!!
Wonderful to see. Thank You. Namaste
Very sorry to see the damages done in name of belief on these soft stone works… but your photos captured the details so well! Nice collage makes on the surroundings