Sri Ugra Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Torvi

This 1200-year-old kshetra is known as Twaritalaya, as Lord Narasimha Swamy is believed to fulfill the wishes of His devotees swiftly. The word “Twarita” means fast, and “alaya” means sacred abode. Over time, Twaritalaya evolved into Torvi.

The deity worshipped here is Swayambhu (self-manifested), and the temple is believed to be around 800 years old. Also known as Sri Torvi Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, the Lord is in a fierce form and is made of Shaligrama Shila.

The Deity was also worshipped by the great saint Purandara Dasa. To have the darshan of Torvi Narasimha Swamy, devotees must descend into the underground sanctum, also known as Patala.

As the effects of Kali-yuga intensified, maintaining such grand offerings became difficult. According to legend, the Lord appeared in a priest’s dream, instructing him to immerse the Shaligrama in water and journey to a sacred place marked by Agni Sparsha, where a new Narasimha Vigraha would be found.

Following the divine command, the Shaligrama was immersed in the waters of Gupta Ganga or Narasimha Tirtha, about 1 km away. Miraculously, the Lord had consumed all the water and reappeared before the devotees. Upon further prayers, He revealed that the tirtha was insufficient and instructed them to perform visarjan in the Krishna River.

During their journey, the devotees discovered a sacred Shaligrama Vigraha in the nearby village. Despite resistance from local villagers, the Lord declared His intent to proceed to Toravi for the welfare of the world. Eventually, the present black Shaligrama Shila was installed and worshipped in the temple.

During the invasion of Aurangzeb, the sacred Deity was hidden in an underground cave to protect it.

In the 17th century, Ibrahim Adil Shah II sought the blessings of Lord Narasimha for his child’s eye ailment. He is believed to have secretly visited the temple through an underground passage (Suranga Marga). Later, during the rule of the Peshwas, the temple was renovated, and lands were granted to improve the living conditions of the archakas.

When you enter the temple through the main entrance, the Garbha Griha is not visible. Instead, it is hidden underground. To reach it, devotees must descend a flight of steps and pass through a narrow, cave-like passage.

Before having the darshan of Narasimha Swamy, it is customary to first have the darshan of Rudra. This sacred tradition is strictly followed here.

Sri Siddeshwar Temple: This is a famous temple in Bijapur where Lord Siddheshwara is worshipped.

Shivagiri Temple: This temple is known for housing one of India’s largest Shiva statues. It attracts many devotees due to its serene atmosphere and spiritual ambiance.

Sri Balaji Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara and is known for its peaceful surroundings.

Sri Vajrahanuman Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is visited by devotees seeking strength and blessings.

By Railway: Vijayapura Railway Station is the nearest railway station, located 10 km away from the temple.

By Road: Torvi village is only 6 to 10 km away from Bijapur. From Bijapur, many private and public vehicles are available. Even private taxis can also be hired.