Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple , T. Narasipura - Bangalore picnic spots

In this article we share our visit experience of "Sri Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple"  at Tirumakudalu Narasipura ( popularly known as T. Narasipura ) , a panchayat town in Mysore district which attracts with its serene beauty and historic spots - 150 kms from Bangalore.

Significance of this spot - Wiki

This temple is more than 500 yeards old and is a place of religious prominence. The Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple on the right bank of the Kaveri river, is a massive complex belonging to the Vijayanagara period. The image of Narasimha in the sanctum sanctorum has a weighing balance with a twig with seed of the Gunja (botanical name-Abrus precatorius) tree and hence is called Gunja Narasimha Swamy. It signifies the importance of the temple vis-a-vis the Kasi pilgrimage center by a measure of the seedgulaganji. It has inscriptions dating from the Krishnadevaraya period with a mélange of Dravidian and Hoysala Architecture and is renowned for the voluminous records in Nagari script. 

The legend associated with Gunja Narasimhaswamy Temple is that Narasimha appeared in the dream of a washerman telling him that his idol lay beneath the stone on which he washed clothes everyday. The deity told him to build a temple for him and asked him to look for gold coins beneath the stone which could be used for the construction of the temple. When the washerman expressed his wish to visit (Kashi) Varanasi on a pilgrimage, god told him that the construction of a temple for him, had earned the washerman an additional punya (Merit) of about a coral beed vine seed (Abrus precatorius)) than that which accrues by visiting Kashi. Thus, the name tag Gunja came into usage with name of the God Narasimhaswamy

We reached the spot at noon after visiting the Hanuman Linga Agastheshwara temple , Sangama coracle boat rides by 12.30 PM. Temple is on just 50 mts from the NH 212 highway.  On entering the temple gopura , we were welcome with the colorful ranga mantapa , followed by the main sanctum . Lord NarasimhaSwamy temple along with Sri Lakshmi is consecrated here which is about 2-3 feet.  The atmosphere inside is very calm and mind relaxing. 

Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple , T. Narasipura - Gopura

Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple , T. Narasipura - Side view

Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple , T. Narasipura - Mantap

Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple , T. Narasipura - Neem Brindavan

Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple , T. Narasipura - Pillars

Surrounded by this main sanctum is small mantaps where idol of Sri Ramanuja , Ganesha are consecrated.

Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple , T. Narasipura - temple inside View

Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple , T. Narasipura - Inside temple

Devotees around the village organize processions every year along with the famous Kumbhamela held every 3 years . Overall a very nice spot to visit with family and friends . Temple is open between morning 7 till 1.PM and again in the evening between 4.30 to 7.30 PM.

Do visit this temple and share your experience. Check out our touring spots guide for more details on other spots