Did you know that in the12th century Sri Varadha Bhoga Yoga Narasimha Temple in Shanthigrama in Karnataka a unique feature is the ring of nine forms of Narasimha (Nava Narasimha Vritta) incorporated in the ceiling of its portico?
Sri Varadha Bhoga Yoga Narasimha Temple in Shanthigrama in Hassan district of Karnataka built during the Hoysala period in early 12th century, is dedicated to Narasimha, the fourth lion-man incarnation of Lord Vishnu in a meditative posture called the Yoga Mudra or Yogapatta. It was built in 1122 AD under the reign of Hoysala King Veera Ballala by Prakasa Muni. In subsequent years, under the Hoysala King Vishnuvaradhana's reign, following his conquering the Talakad region, the King gifted the charming Shanthigrama village to his beautiful wife Shantaladevi who was a gifted dancer and musician. Shantaladevi is reported to have substantially refurbished the four temples in Shanthigrama including this Varadha Bhoga Yoga Narasimha Temple. Apart from the divine Yoga Narasimha Deity in the Sanctum sanctorum, the most unique feature in this temple is a rare sculptural work of a ring of images of the Half-man, Half-lion incarnation known popularly as 'Nava-Narasimha Vritta' representing the nine forms of Lord Narsimha carved in the ceiling of the portico; the nine forms of Narasimha depicted are - Ugra, Krodha, Veera, Vilamba, Kopa, Yoga, Aghora, Sudharshana and Lakshmi Narasimha.
The Archaeological Department of Karntaka has broadly explained the features of this temple as comprising a homogeneous structure consisting of a garbhagriha, a vestibule, a navaranga or Mukhamantapa, and a porch with a kaisale (compound wall) all round. It is an ekakuta temple (single tower temple) over the main shrine that is connected to a closed hall through a vestibule.
The outer walls of the temple with reliefs raised on a basement consists of five cornices with dentil mouldings. There is the conventional Rajagopura with five kalashas (Pinnacles), a three tiered tower in Dravidian architectural style built at the entrance to the temple on the outer compound wall. At the entrance to the Mukha Mantapa as part of the navaranga and the garba griaha there are the Dwajastamba carved with a garuda image and a Balipeeta. The tower above the garba griha, however, is in the form of a stepped pyramid with its cornices decorated by dentil mouldings with its top surmounted by a stone pinnacles or kalasa. The vestibule before the garba griha has the utsavar (festive) idols of Boganarasimha flanked on either side by his consorts, Bhudevi and Sridevi. There are also sub-shrines with sculptures of 12 Alvar saints and sage Ramanuja.
The entrance porch ceiling, following the entrance Rajagopura, consists of an octagon and a square with a flat stone above divided into nine panels by bands, the panels bearing padma (lotus) medallions with nine forms of Narasimha inscribed around it known as the "Nava Narasimha Vritta." The distinctive four central pillars supporting the navaranga are four lathe turned finely sculpted bell-shaped pillars; the navaranga has pilasters with sculptures against the walls of the indented pattern. On either side of the vestibule doorway there are perforated screens. The corner stones of all the ceilings in the temple have the representation of kirtimukhas on their undersurface.
The garba griha (sanctum sanctorum where the Moolavar or the principal deity of Yoga Narasimha is defied and daily worship is offered, has a doorway with a well-carved Gajalakshmi lintel which wears intricately sculpted ornaments on it. There is also a sub-shrine dedicated to Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman.)
To the east of the entrance porch there is a modern shrine containing the image of a seated Lakshmi-Varaha believe to be of the Viiayanagar period.
It is a strong belief at Shanthigram that the Moolavar deity in the sanctum sanctorum, the Bhogha Yoga Narasimha in a yogic posture, would bestow on his devotees all the boons sought by them when they follow a ritual practice of circumambulation by doing 48 Pradhashinams or Parikrama at a stretch after taking bath and on an empty stomach.
The temple rituals are conducted as per Vaikhanasa agama shastra and worship is offered daily - morning 8.00 Am to 12.00 Pm and evening 5.30 Pm to 8.30 Pm. Thirumanjanam or Abhisheka (bathing of the divinity) to the Lord Yoga Narasimha is a magnificent puja ritual, which is followed by a divine Manjal Kappu seva, a puja decoration with turmeric powder. Narsimha Jayanthi is a grand festival here.
Shantigrama is a large village now, 13km from Hassan and 175 km from Karnataka State capital Bangalore.
Narasipur Char
