Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Jalari Laskhmi Narasimha temple is a very mystical temple situated in the Jalari forest unknown to devotees. This temple is home to many unexplained phenomenas which happen only due to the mercy of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.

While exploring the temples of Lord Narasimha, we came across this beautiful temple which was both mystical and very attractive. After driving through the lush green tomato, roses, mariegold and grapes fields, amidst the Nandi Hills mountain rage, we finally found this temple which was frequented by no-one. The surreal surroundings of the temple can attract any sincere follower of Sanatana Dharma.

Sri Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is in the Baralahalli village of Chikkaballapura district in Karnataka. The present Baralahalli region was formerly a forest of Jalari trees hence it is named as Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha temple. Jalari flowers emits a strong fragrance.

It is also revered as the tapo bhumi of Sapta Rishis who engaged in the tapasya at this very region perhaps they are still doing so. The temple is surrounded by the Pancha Giris i.e, five mountains. It is also known as Sapta Giri Kshetra or Jwala Giri Kshetra.

Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple houses two Deities

The Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple houses two Deities of Lord Narasimha – swayambhu and pratishtitha. The Swayambhu vigraha is worshiped at the foothill who is known as Udbhava Jwala Yoga Narasimha Swamy. He is the yoga mudra. The installed Deity of Lakshmi Narasimha is worshiped on the nearby hill. He is known as the Bhoga Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

Vedic History of Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

In the ancient times, Sapta Rishis had performed severe tapasya atop the hill, to please Sriman Narayana. Their tapsya spanned for many yugas however Lord did not give them darshan. Finally after killing Hiranyakashipu, Lord Narayana was ultimately pleased with their tapasya and gave darshan in the form of Lord Narasimha which was the recent concluded avatara of the Lord.

Sapta Rishis were ecstatic by having darshan of the Lord’s form and requested the Lord to stay in this place in the very same form to bless His devotees in future. Lord Narasimha granted Sapta Rishis’ wish. He informed them that He would stay here in two forms – one as swayambhu, the self-manifested form and the other with Lakshmi Devi. He instructed Sapta Rishis to install a Deity of Lakshmi Narasimha atop the hill which they did immediately.

Just behind the Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, is a path in the forest which leads to the temple of Sri Bhoga Lakshmi Narasimha. One needs to trek or walk for approximately 2 kilometres to reach the temple. The path from the forest also leads to Shivagange Temple and the Summer palace of Tipu Sultan. These hidden paths have closed due to natural calamities, but one can still see small openings of these hidden pathways.

Earlier there was the ashrama of Sapta Rishis as well which disappeared over a period of time. Only some remnants can be seen now. Devotees who have darshan of both the Deities, their sins are washed off and the obstacles in their life’s progress immediately vanish. In addition to this Lord Narasima fulfils all their desires.

Sri Sanyasappa Char

The current priest is a tenth in line descendent of Sri Sanyasappa Char who was a great devotee of Lord Narasimha. He used to travel on a tiger, by the hidden paths within the forest. He used to speak to Lord Narasimha and used to play dice with the Lord. He also created a water pond for the daily rituals of Lord Narasimha. He took jiva samadhi here near the foothill temple.

Architecture of Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

The Temple of Sri Bhoga Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is approximately 800 – 1000 years old. It resembles half shaped moon. The temple was renovated by Chola kings and the Vijayanagar dynasty. Although the temple is small it consists of gopura, garbha-griha, parangana and pradakshina path.

Mysuru Kings used to offer pooja at Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. The King also arranged for the railway line for devotees to reach temple easily.

The foothill temple is recently renovated, a flight of 50 steps through the color tinted Rajagopura open up in a big mantapa hall. The sukhanasi connects the mantapa with the garbha griha. In the garbha griha Lord Jwala Yoga Narasimha is seated. The temple is renovated in the medival Dravidian Architecture.

Earlier devotees had to go inside the cave to have darshan of the Lord. However the recent renovation has widened the entrance of the cave, thus opening up an opportunity of clear darshan of the Lord from the mantapa itself.

Hidden Lakshmi Ghatta at Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Devotees say that there is also a Lakshmi Ghatta where Goddess Lakshmi devi manifested separately but till today this place is not known, until Goddess Lakshmi devi Herself decides that She would give darshan to Her devotees.

Mystery of Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

This temple is home to many unexplained mysteries.

Flowers don’t wilt here

Flowers offered to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha on a Purnima day do not wilt till the next Purnima. Even the lamp which is burnt on  the Purnima day does not go off till the next Purnima. No matter how much ever oil is poured in the lamp.

Healing water of Kalyani

There is a kalyani on top of the hill. This water has medicinal property to heal diseases. Just a sprinkle of water of this Kalyani washes off one’s sins.

Flowers bloom only for the festival

The annual festival of Sri Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is celebrated every year on the Kadire Purnima day (Feb-Mar). Only during this time, the Jalari trees bear flowers, as soon as the jatra finishes all the flowers from Jalari trees fall off the tree. This is the very mysterious incident.

Garuda Stambha

Atop the hill, there is a very old Garuda Stambha. In olden days, a lamp would be lit on this Garuda Stambha which would be visible from Kadiri Narasimha Temple. Only after seeing this lamp, the chariot of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha in Kadiri would move.

Festivals celebrated in Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

The annual Brahmotsava festival of Jalari Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is celebrated on the Kadire Poornima day (Feb-Mar).

Every year on the last Saturday of Shravana masa, Brahmotsava festival is celebrated grandly in Sri Bhoga Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple.

Almost everyday the abhisheka is performed to Sri Jalari Narasimha Swamy.

The temple timings of Sri Jalari Narasimha temple

Sri Jalari Narasimha Temple i.e., Sri Udbhava Jwala Yoga Narasimha Swamy temple is open throughout the year every day, from morning 07:30 AM to evening 5:30 PM.

Sri Bhoga Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple atop the hill is open only on Thursday, Purnima and Amavasya of every month.

How to reach Sri Jalari Narasimha Temple

The best way to reach Jalari Narasimha Temple is to join Tirtha Yatra and get your tour organised.

By Road: Sri Jalari Narasimha Temple is 70 km from Bengaluru, 30 km from Nandi hills & 6 km from Chikkaballapura town. Road transport can be easily availed from these places. Road Transport is available from Bengaluru till Chikkaballapura town. Private taxis can also be hired from Bengaluru.

By Rail: Chikkaballapura railway station is the nearest railway station apart from Bengaluru railway station. It is well-connected by many cities of India.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Bengaluru. Private taxies are available from this airport location.