Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in T Narsipura is equated to the Manikarnika Kshetra of Kashi Dham. This temple is one Gulaganji (Gunja seed) more sacred than the Kashi itself.

The Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is on the banks of River Kaveri and near the sacred sangam of Rivers Kapila, Kaveri, and the Sphatika Sarovara. This kshetra is known as Manikarnika Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.

Tirumakudalu Narasimhapura has been an ancient pilgrimage site patronaged by the Vijayanagara and Mysuru Kings. The name of the village stands – tiru means three, kudalu means sangama and Narasimhapura means the place of Lord Narasimha. In short it is known as T Narsipura.

The sacredness of Manikarnika Tirtha

Manikarnika Tirtha is the first and the oldest tirtha on this planet Earth. Manikarnika also known as Chakra Pushkarani was created by Lord Narayana’s Sudarshana Chakra. The lake was filled by the perspiration of Lord Narayana. When Lord Shiva saw this tirtha, he shook his head in admiration and one of his earrings fell into it. Thus, it came to be known as Manikarnika.

It is the most sacred of all the tirthas in Kashi and on this earth. Even River Ganga was amazed at the glories of this tirtha that she had turn herself back to see it. In the afternoon at 12:00 pm Lord Narayana is present at Manikarnika and liberates all those devotees who take bath at that time.

The origin of Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Long back, a washerman used to come and wash clothes on the bank of this triveni sangama. Once he had a dream in which Lord Narasimha appeared and guided him to an anthill where there was a vigraha of Himself. Next day when the washerman went to the anthill and poured water, he found a beautiful vigraha of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha within in.

Now what? A temple had to be constructed for the Lord but then the washerman did not have sufficient money to construct it. Lord Narasimha again appeared in his dream and instructed him to find a treasure which lay beneath the washing stone he uses daily.

The washerman rushed and found the treasure exactly at the same spot and built a magnificent temple of Sri Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha with it. Pleased by his service, Lord Narasimha wanted to bless him with a benediction. When asked, the washerman replied that he wished to go to Kashi, take bath in Ganga and eradicate all his sins. Thereafter become eligible for moksha.

Lord Narasimha informed the washerman that there was no need for him to visit Kashi and this kshetra was more sacred than Kashi. He took a measuring scale and compared both the kshetras. This kshetra became heavier by a weight equal to one Gulaganji (Gunja seed). To prove this fact, even today Lord Lakshmi Narasimha holds a gulaganji in His hand. Then the Lord showed the similarities between T Narsipura and Kashi.

Near Kashi there is a sangama of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, here is the sangama of Kaveri, Kapila and Sphatika Sarovara. In Kashi one can have darshana of vata-vriksha, here one can have darshana of Brahma Ashwatha Vriksha. In Kashi, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Vishweshwara and here he is worshiped as Agastyeshwara.

In Kashi, Lord Vishnu is present as Lord Bindu Madhava. Here He is present as Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. Everyone goes to Kashi to take holy bath in Ganga to purify oneself, but Ganga comes here and lives in Kaveri for one full month to purify itself. Hence this place is greater than Kashi.

The Deity of Lord Narasimha at Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Lord Narasimha is in the seated position. He is seated with Mahalakshmi Devi on His left thigh. In one of His hands Lord Narasimha is holding a gula ganji – a bead indicating that this kshetra is one bead sacred than the Manikarnika Kshetra in Kashi.

Sri Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha is present in this place since four yugas. During the Satya-yuga, the Lord was worshiped by Lord Brahma, during Treta-yuga, Markandeya Rishi worshiped the Lord. During the Dwarpara-yuga, the Jaya and Vijaya worshiped the Lord, and the humans continue to worship the Lord during the Kali-yuga. It is said that Lord Narasimha originally appeared to Bhrigu Muni.

The temple timings of Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

The temple is open from 6 am to 1 pm and then from 4 pm to 8 pm. Saturday and Sunday are generally crowded. Festivals like Ugadi, Souramana Narasimha Jayanti are very crowded.

How to reach Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple?

Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is in T Narasipura which is in the Mysuru district of Karnataka. To reach Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, it is better to join the packaged Narasimha tours conducted by Tirtha Yatra every month from Bengaluru. All arrangements are taken care of, while you focus on the worship of the Lord.

If you wish to explore on your own, here are the ways:

By Air – the nearest major Airport to Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is Bengaluru Airport. From here, you may either take a train to T Narsipura or travel by State Road Transport or even hire a private taxi. Mysuru Airport is also nearby.

By Rail – the nearest railway station is Mandya, Mysuru, Nanjangud or even Bengaluru. From these cities, State Road Transport buses are available to T Narasipura. Even private cabs can be hired.

By Road – T Narasipura is well connected by Road. Devotees can choose to travel by State Road Transport buses or even by private taxis from Mysuru, Mandya or Bengaluru.