Temple on the river bank

The ancient shrine of Nadi Narasimha Swamy is located on the banks of River Kanva, about 65 km from Bengaluru, off the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. After crossing Channapatna, one has to proceed for 2 km and then turn right onto a village road just before reaching Dodda Mallur. The road traverses through vast stretches of beautiful countryside, and takes us to the river bank in about 15 minutes.

Here, the small temple is located facing the river. The name Nadi Narasimha Swamy signifies the temple’s proximity to the river. It is known that apart from Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple in Tirumkudal Narasipura, this is the only other Narasimha Swamy shrine located on the banks of a river. The temple is beautifully flanked by agricultural fields on the other sides, creating a serene atmosphere.

This ancient shrine is a protected monument, maintained by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Karnataka. As per available records, this shrine is said to have originated in the 11th century, which makes it about 1000 years old. Renovations were carried out around 100 years ago and only the outer walls and the mantapa around the shrine are new additions.

It is said that the river was originally known as Nirmala, and since Sage Kanva engaged in a severe penance here, it came to be called as Kanva river. As per legends, hundreds of years ago, King Saraangadaara ruled this region. He wanted to witness the special prayers made by
Kanva on the night of Swathi nakshatra. The Sage forbade the king from coming to the temple on that special night. The king disobeyed the sage and appeared before him while the prayers were going on. The sage cursed him and his anger was so severe that the village was totally destroyed.

Later, as per the prayers of the local people, Lord Narasimha Swamy directed Sage Kanva to build the shrine for him on this river bank. It is learnt that the Maharaja of Mysore, Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar patronised this shrine and granted 12 acres of land for its maintenance.

The shrine is a ekakuta (single dome) in Dravidian style without a pedestal, and facing east. The small temple complex is enclosed by a prakara with a side entrance and the mahadwara or main door through the gopuram in front, facing the river. Both the gopuram and the shikhara are decorated with beautiful statuettes and sculptures of Lord Vishnu in various forms, and other goddesses. The vimana over the sanctum has a central dome surrounded by intricate statuettes of gods, demons, humans and animals. A pillared mantapa stands before the sanctum.

The magnificent idol of Lord Narasimha Swamy, made of black stone, is placed in a seated position along with his consort Lakshmi Devi, on his lap. It is believed that there are remains of an underground tunnel (Suranga Marga) that runs all the way to the temple’s main entrance from Abbur, a small village situated on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway. It is believed that King Saraangadaara, whose palace was situated in Abbur visited the temple through this underground pathway.

Devotees chant a moola mantra while doing pradakshina and tie unhusked coconuts on two iron rods inside the temple and place lemons near the sanctum as their offerings to get their wishes fulfilled. While doing the pradakshina, one can see small statuettes of Lord Vishnu in various forms of Dasavathara on the inner walls of the shrine, and also a beautiful idol of Hanuman in meditative posture.

So, the next time you are travelling along the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway, make sure you visit this intricately designed temple.