Sri Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple Tirumakudal Narsipur, Mysore

SRI GUNJA NARASIMHA TEMPLE

Tirumakudal Narsipur, Karnataka, India

God

Narsimha Swamy is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Narasimha in stting position and holds in his right hand a berry stalk of Gunja plant between his thumb and fore finger.

Goddess

Goddess Mahalakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu.

Interesting Facts

This is the place in South India where Kumbhamela is held every three years and finds a mention in the Skanda Purana as one of the Trimakuta Kshetras (holy places at the convergence of three rivers).

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37°C during the day and 21°C during night)Lowest - October to February (27°C during day and 18°C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Bus Stand Tirumakudalu Narasipura	1.9 KM	080-49596666
Mysuru Junction	34.3 KM	139
Mysore Airport	38.1 KM	0821-2596802

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Mysuru Junction	34.3 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Mysore Airport	38.1 KM	0821-2596802

Architecture

Lord Narasimha idol is depicted holding a weighing balance with a twig of Gunja (botanical name-Abrus precatorius) plant and hence the name Gunja Narasimha Swamy. This signifies the importance of T.Narasipura vs the Kashi (Benares) by a Gunja seed. Gunja is known as Gulaganji in Kannada. Typical Dravidian style imposing 5 tier gopura (tower) over the entrance gate (mahadwara), built in Dravidian and Hoysala architecture. Mandapams surrounded by main sanctum is small mantaps where idol of Sri Ramanuja, Ganesha are consecrated. Inscriptions dating from the Krishnadevaraya period in Nagari script.

Religious Significance

The legend of the idol is that a washer had a dream in which Lord Narasimha asked him to remove his idol below an ant hill and construct a temple for him. The washer man then asked the Lord where he will get the money to build a temple. The Lord tells him to look under the washing stone for money. Lo and behold! The washer man finds the money and constructs the sanctum sanctorum for the Lord. Lord asks the washer man a boon for having built the temple and he asks to visit the pilgrimage center Kashi (Benaras). To this the Lord tells him that from now on the Punya received to devotees who visit Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple will be a Gunja more than Kashi. Like the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi, in Kashi, here it is the confluence of Kaveri, Kapila, and Spatika Sarovara Rivers. The washer man asks for moksha and the Lord grants him his wish.

History

This temple was built in 16th century by Vijayanagara Kings and renovated in 2011. The Vijaynagar kings and Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar expanded the temple.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	09:00 AM - 12:30 PM	05:30 PM - 08:30 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757