Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

It is said that Lord Brahma the creator of the Universe, has performed penance for many years in the name of Lord Vishnu for several thousand years. Impressed by his penance, Lord Vishnu has incarnated himself as Lord Narasimha here.

Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple : 

Legend goes that God Brahma deva, the creator of universe (according to Hindu mythology ) has built this temple. God Brahma performed great penance to please Lord Vishnu for thousands of years and Lord Vishnu, pleased with his austerity of penance, manifested in the form of yoga Narasimha Swamy, a variation of Lord Shri Maha Vishnu. This place is popularly known as Karigiri .Legend associated with this name tells that, sage Bhirgu cursed Gandharva brothers, Devadatta and Dhanunjaya to take change into a mountain and an elephant. Kari Means elephant in local language and Giri means mountain, so the name Karigiri. According to another popular legend, this place is also known as Kusumadri. It is said that Gods showered flowers (flowers also known as Pushpa in local language) on Shri Maha Vishnu when he killed a demon named Pundarika and hence the name Kusumadri.

The premise of the temple of Yoga Narasimha Swamy has a sacred pond named as Kalyani Theertham. It is believed that a sacred stream of water runs through the Lord’s idol and one can experience by the “Shri Padha Theertha” entrance. Shri Lakshmi Devi's shrine is also seen at this place, next to Lord Yoga Narasimha Swamy. The Bhoga Narasimha swamy temple is at the foot of the hill and is again dating back to the Cholas period. The idol of Goddess Lakshmi devi is also seen here. Local legends say that, sage Durvasa said to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva, installed the “Bhoga Narasimha’s” idol here. The residing God is also said to be the “family deity” of the Mysore kings.

The place was originally known as Anebiddasari, then as Jadakana Durga, after a chief named Jadaka and finally as Devarayanadurga, after its capture by Mysore king Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar. Legend has it that a chief thief named Andhaka or Lingaka had his stronghold here, and he was subdued by Sumati, a prince, whose father, Hemachandra, was the king of Karnatka and ruled from Yadupattana. After accomplishing the task, Sumathi is said to have established the city of Bhumandana near the present Nelamangala and taken up residence there for the protection of that part of his father’s kingdom.

Under the Hoysalas, there seems to have been, a town on the hill, called Anebiddasari or the cliff from where the elephant fell. An elephant, which the sthala purana describes as a Gandharva, suddenly appeared before the town to the great dismay of the people and after causing considerable damage, the elephant tried to walk up the steep rock on the west, it slipped, fell back and was killed.

Under the Vijayanagara kings, the use of the same name continued, and a large tank called Bukkasamudra, was formed from which the river Jayamangali has its source. Remains of the embankment and of the adjacent town can still be traced.