Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, also referred to as Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is a 13th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, built by the Hoysala ruler Vira Someshwara. It is located in Bhadravati, Shimoga District of Karnataka state, India. The temple faces east and has three sanctums, one for Venogopala, one for Lakshminarasimha, and one for Vishnu-Puroshottama.

It is notable for its Vesara architecture, as well as artwork depicting Vaishnavism legends and deities, as well as Shaivism, Shaktism, and Vedic deities. Reliefs of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Bhairava, Sarasvati, Brahma, Surya, Harihara (half Shiva, half Vishnu), and others are noteworthy.

Overview of the Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Bhadravati is a historic city that is also a steel manufacturing centre in west-central Karnataka. It is approximately 20 kilometres southeast of Shimoga (Shivamogga, NH 69) and approximately 255 kilometres northwest of Bangalore. The Lakshminarasimha temple is on the east bank of the Bhadra River, north of town.

The temple’s original shikaras were destroyed and replaced with a conical structure. According to Adam Hardy, an Indian temple architecture scholar, this temple has two “exceptional” stellate structures highlighting the Hoysalas’ architectural sophistication.

Legend Of The Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

A popular story surrounds the formation of the small town of Bhadravathi. Lord Vishnu, in the form of Varaha, the wild boar, is said to have rescued Bhudevi, Goddess Earth, here. Hirayankasha, the demon, held her captive beneath the sea. According to the Holy Scriptures, River Tunga and Bhadra were formed when Varaha lifted the earth with his two tusks. Benkipura was the previous name for this location.

History of Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

This temple dates back over 800 years. The temple basement is designed after the Shree and Astha chakras. The temple was renovated and worshipped by the Chola, Pallava, and Hoysala dynasties. This temple’s Indian heritage and stone art are appealing. The deities of Maa Sharada and Lord Purushottama are also worshipped here.

Bhadravathi is a 13th-century Hoysala kingdom city located on the banks of the Bhadra River. This city contains several architectural gems of Hoysala architecture.

The architecture of Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

The temple depicts a complex trikuta (three sanctums) soapstone temple with a square plan and Vesara vimana. It stands on a jagati and has a two-tier decorative plan on the outside wall.

The temple is accessed via an open pillared hall or porch (mukhamantapa), followed by a closed hall (mantapa or navaranga). The porch is made up of an awning supported by half pillars and parapets on both sides. The shrine’s inner wall is square and plain, while the outer wall is stellate (star-shaped) with numerous recesses and projections used for decorative relief.

A vestibule (called sukhanasi) connects the closed central hall to the three sanctum. The vestibule also functions as a tower (also known as sukhanasi), which appears as a low protrusion of the main tower over the shrine. The vestibule’s outer wall is decorative but unobtrusive because it is a short continuation of the shrine’s outer wall.

The closed hall’s ceiling is supported by lathe-turned pillars. According to Brown, these lathe-turned pillars with four brackets above are a hallmark of the 11th-13th century Chalukya-Hoysala architectural idiom.

Facts about Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

• The Bhadravathi Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is 800 years old. The temple’s sculptures depict daily life in the 13th century, as well as images of musicians and dancers.
• The temple was further built in the 13th century under the Hoysalas rule, by Veera Narasimha, the grandson of Vishnuvardhana.
• Lord Narasimha’s statue is in a relaxed position, guarding his devotee Parhlada.
• Some of the sculptures from the Bhadravathi Lakshmi Narasimha Temple are still worshipped today. For worship, devotees apply vermilion, and turmeric, pour oil, and burn camphor.
• The temple is built on a raised platform called a jagati. This platform, about a metre high, was used by devotees to circumvent (pradakshin) the temple. There is no specific path to Paradakshin temple in Hoysala architecture.
• The temple also has unique pillars known as lathe pillars, as well as parapets. This type of gleaming black pillar defines the architectural style of Hoysala architecture from the 11th and 13th centuries.
• The tower’s pillars not only add to the temple’s beauty but also support the great temple’s roof.
• The central hall of the temple is unique with new windows and is connected with the other sanctums.
• The temple’s central hall is unique with no windows and is connected to the other shrines.
• There is a slab inscribed in Kannada in the temple which shows the details of the construction.

Festivals Celebrated in Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

• Dussehra: During this festival, the iconic deity of Lord Narasimha is paraded around the city. This festival is held during the Hindu month of Ashvin, which falls between September and October.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Navratri – The Navaratri Festival is celebrated with great pomp and glitz at the temple complex. This festival is usually held a couple of times a year. Once between March and April, and once between September and October.
• Chitra Poornima is also a major occasion for celebration in the temple.

Best Time to Visit Bhadravati 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 Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

By Air: The Hubli airport is the nearest domestic airport to the Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, while the Bangalore airport is the nearest international airport. The Hubli airport is approximately 170 km from Bhadravathi.

By Railway: The nearest railway station to the Bhadravati Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is the Birur- Bhadravathi railway station. The trains that ply between Bangalore and Shimoga have stoppages at the Bhadravathi railway station.

By Roadways: Bhadravathi is approximately 255 kilometres from Bangalore, the state capital. Shimoga’s district headquarters is 20 kilometres away. Several public and private buses run from Bangalore and Shimoga to Bhadravathi regularly.

Also Read –  Chennakeshava Temple Somanathapura