The Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, also known as the Lakshmi Narasimha temple of Javagallu, is a Hoysala-style Hindu temple from the mid-13th century. It is located in Javagal, Karnataka, about 20 kilometres northeast of Halebidu and 50 kilometres from Hassan. This triple shrine temple is dedicated to Narasimha, Vishnu’s man-lion avatar. It was built between 1250 and 1260 A.D. by King Vira Someshwara of the Hoysala Empire.

The Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple has a compact square plan typical of Hindu temple architecture, but the three sanctums share a common mandapa (hall). These sanctums are dedicated to Lakshminarasimha, Sridhara, and Venugopala. It is notable for its lavish artwork, which consists of over 100 intricately carved panels on both the inside and outside. Many of these panels depict legends from the Ramayana.

Significance of Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

This trikuta temple is one of many beautiful temples built during the reign of the Hoysala kingdom. The Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Javagal, like most Hoysala era temples, is built on a jagati (raised platform), with beautiful moulding friezes and sculptures on the exterior walls and lathe turned pillars, sukanasi, and garbha griha on the interior.

It differs from the other temples in that, despite having three shrines, it only has one shikhara. Its outer wall panel sculptures, reliefs, and friezes are folkish, as opposed to the work in other Hoysala temples, which is more intricate, well-planned, and laid out.

History of Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

The Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is missing its foundation stone and inscription. This temple cannot thus be directly dated. The signatures carved into some of the panels, on the other hand, provide information about its date. Some of them bear the signatures of Mallitamma, the renowned 13th-century sculptor known for his exquisite work elsewhere. Such evidence suggests that the temple was completed around 1260 CE.

The architecture of Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

The Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple plan is square, as is typical of Hoysala temples. It is a trikuta (three shrined) temple, with only the middle shrine having a superstructure (tower or shikhara) and a sukhanasi (nose or tower above the vestibule). The three equal-sized shrines are square in plan and linked by a common closed hall (mantapa). The closed hall is preceded by an open porch. The lateral shrines are directly connected to the hall, whereas the middle shrine has a vestibule connecting the sanctum (cella) to the hall.

The lateral shrines have no tower above them and are directly connected to the hall, which lacks a vestibule and its corresponding towerlike projection. This makes the temple appear to have only one shrine from the outside, with bulging walls. In reality, there are three shrines. The central shrine is easily visible from the outside due to its tower and the sukhanasi that protrudes prominently from it. The lower part of the shrines (below the roof) has five projections per side, three on the central shrine and only one on the lateral shrines.

The Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple stands on a platform (jagati), which is common to many Hoysala temples. The platform, in addition to its aesthetic value, is intended to provide devotees with a path for circumambulation (pradakshinapatha) around the temple. It closely follows the temple’s outline, giving it an elevated appearance. The tower over the central shrine, as well as the vestibule, are both intact and highly decorative.

Other standard features in a Hoysala temple are the large domed roof over the tower, which is also the largest sculptural piece in a Hoysala temple (called the “helmet” or amalaka) and whose shape usually follows that of the shrine (square or star shape); the kalasa on top of it (the decorative water-pot at the apex of the dome); and the Hoysala crest (emblem of the Hoysala warrior stabbing a lion) over the sukhanasi. The emblem and kalasa are missing. The kalasa was eventually replaced by a metallic pinnacle.

Facts about Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

• The Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Javagal, Karnataka, about 9 kilometres from Belavadi, 13 kilometres from Halebidu, 40 kilometres from Chikmagalur, and 45 kilometres from Hassan.
• Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is one of Karnataka’s forgotten Hoysala temples and one of Hassan’s most popular tourist attractions.
• The Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, dedicated to Narasimha, a form of the Hindu god Vishnu, was constructed in 1250 AD by Hoysala King Vira Someshwara.
• The Archaeological Survey of India’s Karnataka state division has designated this temple as a protected monument.
• The Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple exemplifies Hoysala architecture from the mid-13th century.
• It is a trikuta temple (three shrines) constructed on a raised platform known as jagati.
• The three equal-sized shrines are square in plan and linked by a common closed hall (mandapa).
• The closed hall is preceded by an open porch. The lateral shrines are directly connected to the hall, whereas the middle shrine has a vestibule that connects the sanctum to the hall.
• Lord Narasimha is accompanied by his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. The other two shrines in this trikuta temple are occupied by two other Vishnu incarnations, Venugopal and Sridhara. However, only the shrine containing Lord Narasimha has a tower above it that is highly decorated.
• The outer walls are adorned with wall images featuring decorative towers above them.
• There are 140 wall panel images, each with attention to fine detail. Notable among them are Rama and Lakshmana, Badrinarayana, and Ananthapadmanabha.
• The outer wall’s base is made up of six friezes. The epic frieze depicts swans, makara, scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, leafy scrolls, horses, and elephants.

Famous Festivals In Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

• Rangada  Habba– Every year in April, in honour of Anjaneya, a fair called the Rangada – habba is held in the temple complex.
• Krishna Janmashtami – Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami, the eighth day of the Hindu month of Bhadra. The celebrations at the Temple begin early in the morning and continue until late at night.
• Holi – This festival is celebrated in the month of  Phalgun (Feb – March). During the celebration, people celebrate with colours and also celebrate and enjoy in temples complex.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a major occasion for celebration in the temple.

Best Time to Visit Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

This place is heavenly and spiritual; you can visit it all year. However, the best time to visit this temple is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

How to Reach Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

By Air: The nearest airport is Bangalore Airport which is 235 Km From the Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

By Rail: Hassan railway station is the nearest station to Javagal, from here you have to take a taxi or local bus to reach the Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.

By Road: This Javagal Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is near Hassan town which is 40 Km Away. This temple is 210 Km Away from the Bangalore City.

Also Read – Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple