Saligrama Sri Guru Narasimha Temple, Karnataka

Address

Saligrama Sri Guru Narasimha Temple, Karnataka

P.O. Saligrama – 576255
Udupi Dist, Karnataka State, India
Phone: +91-820-2564544
+91-820-3204544

Moolavar

Guru Narasimha

Introduction

The Guru Narasimha Temple, Saligrama is dedicated to Narasimha, the lion-headed form of Vishnu. Srimad Yogananda Guru Narasimha is the chief deity of the town of Saligrama, Udupi, Karnataka, India. The main image of Narashima, lion-faced and two-handed, is dated to the 8th century.

Puranic Significance

Udupi district has many important Holy places as well as Thirta Sarovaras. Narada Muni visited the place between Sita River and Kumbha Kashi kshetra where many Koota Muni Pungavas performing penance.

Narada Maharshi visited these placed and took holy dip in different theerta sarovaras and worshipped at holy places. During this point in time an unexpected incident happened at this place. Earth started shaking and a big thunder sound was heard. As a result, all animals were scared and birds circled the sky. There was a heavy wind and the scared sages came to Narada Maharshi seeking for the protection. Suddenly they heard a Divya Vani (Divine message) that preached about Lord Narasimha.

The Divya Vani, a message from unknown source informed that an idol of Lord Narasimha, holding Shanka and Chakra in both hands and seated in Yogananda Posture that is worshiped by Brahma and Lord Shiva is located between Shanka and Chakra thirta in middle of an Ashwatta (people) tree. The Diyva Vani instructed Narada Maharshi to install this idol. Narada Maharshi accepted the instructions and searched for the idol of Guru Narasimha found it between Shanka and Chakra thirta in middle of an Ashwatta (people) tree. This place in the middle of Koota Kshetra, where Lord Narasimha resides in Saligrama idol is called Saligrama. Devotees will achieve all their desires by worshipping this Saligrama idol. Taking holy dip in Chakra Theertha rids one of all diseases and fear of enemy. Holy dip in Shanka Theerta clenses one from all the sins. One who takes holy dip in both the theerthas and worships Narasimha will attain prosperity.

Bhattacharya was delighted to see elephants and lions living together, a situation which he had already experienced during his meditation and named this place “Nirvairya Sthala” means “Enemy less abode”. This is signified by the symbolic representation of elephant in the form of Lord Ganapathi and Lion in the form of Lord Narasimha, even till this date in the Saligrama temple.

The idol is facing west and has chakra in right hand and conch shell in the left hand.

Importance of Theerthas

Taking holy dip in Chakra Theertha rids one of all diseases and fear of enemy. Holy dip in Shanka Theerta purifies one from all kinds of sins. One who takes holy dip in both Shanka and Chakra Theertha and worship Guru Narasimha will attain prosperity.

Other Deities at Guru Narashimha Temple, Saligrama

Sri Anjaneya Swamy: Facing the Narasimha idol is the idol of Anjaneya. It was installed in the recently renovated granite stonewalled temple.

Sri Maha Ganapathi: At the northern side powli (North West) is installed Ganapathi idol which is worshipped every day.

Goddess Durga Parameshwari: At the Souther side powli (South West) is installed Durga Parameshwari idol which is worshipped every day.

Special Features

The ‘Sri Saligrama Kshetra Mahatmyam’ of the Pushkara khanda of the Padma Purana, the Sahyadri khanda of the Skanda Purana and the Lokadityapaddati provide the details of the significance of this temple.

According to the Padma Purana, the deity of Guru Narasimha appeared at the bottom of a pipal tree holding Shankha(conch) and Chakra(disc) in its hands. Narada muni who had heard this through an akashavani (celestial message) installed the deity of Guru Narasimha. The akashavani described the deity as ‘Yogananda Nrusimhakyam’.
According to the Sahyadri khanda of the Skanda Purana, Lokaditya, the son of Mayura Varma of the Kadamba Dynasty came along with his army and a group of Brahmins headed by a great man called Bhattacharya. The priests performed mahayagas like Poundra, Atiratra etc. on the request of the king. The blessings of Mahaganapati had been invoked at the start of the yagnas. Ganapathi appeared in the dreams of Bhattacharya with 10 hands and told him to re-install the deity of Lord Yogananda Narasimha and from henceforth Narasimha himself shall be the Guru and god for the Brahmins of the 14 villages surrounding the temple. To this day, the Brahmins of these 14 villages, known as Kota Brahmins follow Guru Narasimha as their sole Guru.
The Deity of Guru Narasimha is entirely made of the sacred Saligrama stone. The Deity itself was never carved by anyone, but is “Swayambhu”. The name of the place “Saligrama” owns to this legend.
The Deity has a Shankha(conch) in one hand and a Chakra(disc) in another. It is seated in a yogic posture attributing to the name “Yogananda Guru Narasimha”.
The Deity is seated on a Mahaganapati yantra. The reason for this is that, Bhattacharya witnessed that in this place lions and elephants lived in harmony, which is quite contradictory to their nature. As a result, he called this place as “Nirvairya sthala” meaning “the place of no enmity”.
The Deity faces west and 2 ponds are located on either sides of its hands, namely, the Shanka Teertha and the Chakra Teertha.
There is a crack in the top portion of the Deity. The story behind this is that-

Earlier, the deity of Guru Narasimha was facing east. Because of the “Ugra” nature of Narasimha, the crops facing the direction of the eyesight of the deity used to get burned to ashes. An angry Brahmin once struck the Lord with a plough, and hence a scar was formed on the deity. It is deemed that the person who struck the deity faced a lot of problems later on in his life. Several citations from the Shilpa Shastra can be used to prove that the deity was once facing east.