Nrusinghanath Temple – Odisha

Address

Nrusinghanath Temple – Odisha

Mugpal,

Odisha 755009

Moolavar

Nrusinghanatha

Introduction

• Sri Nrusinghanatha Temple is a historic temple located at the foothills of Gandhamardhan hills, near Paikmal, in Bargarh, Odisha, India.
• The temple was founded by King Baijal Deva of Patna in the early 15th century CE.
• The temple stands at a height of 45 feet and is divided into two parts:
  • The main sanctuary (seat of Lord Nrusinghanath or Narasimha).
  • The Jagamohan (antechamber), which has three gates, each supported by four pillars.
• The temple is located about 110 km west of Bargarh and 164 km from Sambalpur. The nearest railhead is Khariar Road Railway Station.
• A beautiful garden surrounds the temple, showcasing different avatars of Lord Krishna, and features a 28-feet Hanuman Statue at its center.

Puranic Significance:

• Legend of Musika Daitya and Marjara Keshari:
  • Around six hundred years ago, a woman named Jamuna Kandhuni composed a Kavya (poem) titled “Nrusingha Charitra” in Odia that narrates the glory of Marjara Keshari, which is a form of Lord Vishnu.
  • The legend centers around the Musika Daitya (Mouse Demon), who was causing great torment to the people. In response, Vishnu Mani incarnated as Marjara Keshari (Feline Form), a cat-like deity, and confronted the demon.
  • The Musika Daitya hid in a tunnel, but Marjara Keshari waited, guarding the region, symbolizing the defeat of evil powers and protecting people from tyranny.
  • This mythological event is the foundation of the temple’s spiritual and historical significance. Since then, Lord Nrusinghnath (also called Marjara Keshari) has been guarding the area.
• Historical Context:
  • Huen Tsang, the famous Chinese traveler, mentioned this area as a center for Buddhist scriptural learning, highlighting its ancient cultural importance.
  • The temple has been revered for centuries as a powerful guardian against evil forces.
• Cultural and Religious Significance:
  • Lord Nrusinghanath is one of the most beloved deities in Odisha, and a grand fair is held in his honor on the 14th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Vaisakha.
• Construction and Architecture:
  • The temple was built by Baijal Deva in the early 15th century AD, as per inscriptions in Odia and Devanagari scripts.
  • It is a masterpiece of Kalinga Architecture, specifically following the Deula style, a unique architectural style prevalent in Odisha temples.

Century/Period

15th century CE

Managed By

Department of Archaeology (DOA)

Nearest Bus Station

Baragarh

Nearest Railway Station

Khariar Road Railway Station

Nearest Airport

Bhubaneswar 

Location on Map

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