Yoga Narasimha and Bhoga Narasimha Temples

Getting there

• By air

  Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru is the nearest major airport, about 90 km away.

• By train

  Tumkur railway station is about 15 km away.

• By road

  Buses and taxis run to the hill from Tumakuru and Bengaluru, about 70 km from Bengaluru.

Rules to know

• Dress modestly, as this is an active place of worship.

Why devotees come here

Devarayanadurga, a temple town and hill station in Tumakuru district, Karnataka, has two temples to Narasimha, one at the foothills and one at the top. The hill is unusual for having two shrines to the same deity at different levels.

Devarayanadurga is a temple town and hill station in Tumakuru district. The hill is unusual because it has two temples to the same deity, Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Vishnu, built at different levels. The Bhoga Narasimha temple stands at the foothills and the Yoga Narasimha temple stands at the summit. The names describe the worship: Bhoga is for daily life and enjoyment, and Yoga is for penance and meditation.

The hill was renamed Devarayanadurga after the Mysuru ruler Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar captured it. The Yoga temple is believed to date from the Hoysala period and was later renovated by the Wodeyars of Mysuru. The Bhoga Narasimha temple is believed to be more than 1000 years old.

At the summit, the Yoga temple has a traditional Dravidian-style gopuram, intricately carved and weathered by time. The Bhoga temple complex at the base is large and known for intricate carvings.

Festivals

• Every yearBrahmotsava

  The annual festival at the Bhoga Narasimha temple, with the temple lit up and dance, music and drama programmes.

Tips for your visit

• Visit early in the morning or before sunset to avoid the heat and the crowds.
• Carry water, wear comfortable shoes, and be ready for a moderately steep climb.

Questions people ask