Gunja Narasimha Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Mysore Airport is a domestic airport near the village of Mandakalli, about 10 km south of Mysore city centre.

• By train

  Mysore Junction station has three lines, to KSR Bengaluru, Mangaluru Central and Chamarajanagar.

Why devotees come here

Gunja Narasimha Temple stands on the right bank of the Kaveri river in Tirumakudalu Narasipura, a town 32 km south-east of the Mysore district headquarters. It is a large complex of the Vijayanagara period, dedicated to Narasimha, and the town is known as Dakshina Kashi.

The Skanda Purana names Tirumakudalu Narasipura as one of the Trimakuta Kshetras, holy places at the confluence of three rivers. The town sits where the Cauvery, the Kapila and the mythical Spatika Sarovar meet, and it is known as Dakshina Kashi. The town lies in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka.

The Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple stands on the right bank of the Kaveri. It is a massive complex from the Vijayanagara period. Its inscriptions date from the time of Krishnadevaraya, and the architecture mixes Dravidian and Hoysala styles. The temple is known for its voluminous records in Nagari script.

Agasthyeshwara temple in the same town is older than the Gunja Narasimha temple. The Panchalinga Darshana draws large crowds to the town. A Kumbh Mela has been held here once every three years since 1989.

Festivals

• Once every three yearsKumbh Mela at T. Narasipura

  Held here since 1989, and it is of recent origin. Reports give February 23 to 25 as the dates, so confirm them before you go.

Tips for your visit

• Agasthyeshwara temple is in the same town, so it can be seen on the same visit.
• The Panchalinga Darshana draws large crowds, so expect crowds when it is held.

Questions people ask