Did you know that the Lord Narasimha sitting in the Yoga posture on top of the hill at the Yoga Narasimha Temple in Melukote, in religious history is said to have been worshipped by His staunch devotee Prahalada?
The Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple, in Melukote in the Pandavpura Taluk in the Mandya district of Karnataka, is located on hill top at an elevation of 3590 feet. It is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Lion-Man anthromorphic form, deified in a Yogapatta (Yoga posture), and is said to be one of the most revered of the seven divine temples dedicated to Yoganarasimha. The temple's archives has references in the Vedic literature.
In religious history of Naradiya Purana, the archa vigraha (idol) of Narasimha is said to have been worshipped by His royal deciple Prahalada, son of an evil daitya king Hiranyakashipu. To support this claim the presence of a small cave, just under the deity is said to be the place where Prahlada used to meditate. However, in historical terms, the impressive structure of the temple built on the top of a hill at an elevation of 3590 feet, around Narasimha idol is believed to belong to the Hoysala period in the 11th-12 century though no concrete date is known. Saint Ramanujacharya is said to have got this temple built or renovated during his 14 years stay in Melukote when the Hoyasla King Vishnuvardhana (embraced Srivaishnavism and became a staunch devotee of the saint. During the days of Ramanujacharya's stay in Melukote with his desciples, Yoganarasimha temple became the centre of his activites to spread his philosophy of Vishishtadvaita. In later centuries, the temple was greatly improved by the Ballala rayas of Yadavapuri, the sovereigns of Vijayanagar and the Wodeyar kings of Mysore Kingdom. Architecturally, too, this temple underwent a great deal of renovation . The sanctum is a simple structure of Hoysala and Dravidian styles tending more towards the latter. However, the intricate carvings on the pillars and the overall structure of the temple offer a glimpse into the architectural style of the bygone era. Temple has square sanctum with 2 gopuras - one at the entrance Rajagopura of five tiers, and the Vimana Gopura above the sanctum of three tiers; both gopuras are in Dravidian architectural style. The latest renovation (year 2020) by a donor from Dubai, involved refurbishing the temple towers including installing new filials (Kalashas).
Archa Vigraha or idol of Lord Yoga Narasimha, deified in the garba griha (sanctum sanctorum) is nearly three feet tall made of black granite darkened with oil. The eyes of the Lord are as big as saucers. The idol is deified in the yoga posture with the hands and feet adorned with Kavacha (the armour of the gods). This emphasises the sharp nails and claws. Every day after the abhisheka , the idol is seen beautifully dressed and adorned in gold, with gold hands, feet and crown with large flower garlands covering his chest.
The temple on the hill top is approached with great effort, climbing up many steps (around 380 steps), passing under various mantapa arches on the way. At the top there is an impressive gupura or gateway. After passing through more steps is the entrance to the actual temple. Right at the entrance there is a low relief in brass showing Narasimha surrounded by the other avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu). From this point circumambulate the inner shrine and during this process one can enjoy the magnificent views of the plains from the top of the hill. The temple is surrounded by a walkway, which is fortified because the massive hill drops right down.
The temple has been richly endowed by the succesive rulers of the Wodeyar family of Mysore who have made immense contributions not only by way of renovating the temple from time to time but also by way of donating gold crowns and gems-studded jewels to the temple. One such contribution by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III has an interesting story; he had donated a gold crown to the temple deity. During a visit to Melkote along with his pregnant queen Lingajammanni, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, left her at the foot of the hill and went up to visit the temple to pay homage to the God Narasimha. While eagerly looking at the royal party going up the hill, the queen , by a false step, fell from a height of 60 feet , but miraculously survived and was unhurt. In great reverence, and as a thanks - offering, the King and the Queen then presented a gold crown to the Lord Narasimha. Another object of interest in this temple is a huge Nagari or drum donated by Hyder Ali. It is said that when when Hyder Ali was passing near the hill temple , few of his elephants used in war became sick. Some of his followers suggested that if he vows to Yoga Narasimha, the elephants will get well. Accordingly when he vowed to this deity, the elephants were cured. The happy King gifted a large drum (Nagari) to the God. To this day this drum is beaten everyday, during Pooja in the temple. Its resonating sound declares the Pooja time to everyone in the area.
Another unusual story attributed to H.H. Kantirava Narasimharaja Wadiyar, in early 20th century, who preferred to build his royal temple for Lakshmi Narasimha at Srirangapatna as the state temple than renovating the Yoganasimha temple at Melukote. It was said at that time that it was not appropriate to make it a state symbol since Yoganarasimha connoted celibate practice, instead of kingly procreation symbolized by Lakshmi Narasimha.
Apart from the regular worship, pujas carried out on a daily basis, the temple holds special pujas to celebrate the Narasimha Jayanthi festival every year.
Nowadays, the temple is also accessed from the foot of the hill through a road which almost goes nearer to the temple. But still devotees have to climb a few more steps to reach the temple doors.
The temple is located about 52 km from the Mysore City.
Narasipur Char
