Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 18:30

Established

13

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Majestic Hoysala black soapstone vigraha of Lord Narasimha with Goddess Lakshmi, flanked by Venugopala and Purushothama in a Trikuta layout

Religious tradition

Vaikhanasa / Pancharatra Agamic Tradition

Sanskrit name

श्री लक्ष्मीनृसिंह मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Bhadravati Hoysala Temple, Vankipura Narasimha Temple

Darshan hours

Daily

06:00 AM - 06:30 PM

Break timings

Sanctum remains open during daytime ASI visiting hours

Special days

Narasimha Jayanthi, Vaikunta Ekadashi: 05:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Festival timings

Open till 09:00 PM on Narasimha Jayanthi and Vaikunta Ekadashi

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

07:00 AM

Midday aarti

12:00 PM

Evening aarti

06:00 PM

Special aarti days

Saturdays, Swati Nakshatram, Ekadashi

Ritual schedule

Nitya Thiruvaradhana, Sahasranama Archana, Naivedya, Sandhya Mangala Harathi

Pooja timings

07:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 06:30 PM

Abhishek timings

07:00 AM - 08:30 AM (Special Saturday Abhishekam)

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

No

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Hoysala Dynasty (patronized by King Vira Narasimha II)

Architect / builder

Master sculptors of the Hoysala Ruvari guild

Construction materials

Chloritic schist (soapstone) of high sculptural density

Historical events

Bhadravati was historically known as Vankipura; temple built as a major Vaishnava foundation along the Bhadra River

Renovations

Protected monument conserved under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Bengaluru Circle

Archaeological importance

Centrally Protected Monument of National Importance (ASI Monument No. N-KA-B35)

Legends

Traditional belief: Sage Vashistha performed penance here along the serpentine (Vanki) curves of the Bhadra River

Inscriptions

Inscriptions on the temple outer wall in Hale Kannada recording land endowments and architect credits

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

Circa 1224 - 1230 CE

Structure

Trikutachala (triple-shrined) temple built upon a high star-shaped plinth (jagati) providing an open circumambulatory path

Floors

1

Gopuram

Three stellar pyramidal soapstone Vimana towers with detailed miniature shrine projections

Mandapa

Closed Navaranga hall supported by bell-shaped, lathe-turned soapstone pillars with carved ceiling rosettes

Sculptural features

Exquisite wall relief sculptures of Dashavatara, Venugopala playing flute to calves, Trivikrama, Prahlada Varada, and Gajendra Moksha

Artistic elements

Horizontal continuous narrative friezes of elephants, horses, floral scrolls, and episodes from the Bhagavata Purana along the plinth base

Construction technique

Dry-stone interlocking soapstone masonry on a raised stellate platform

Unique features

Remarkable star-shaped stellate plan with continuous bands of friezes intact along the outer walls

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi (Narasimha Jayanthi), Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi

Special celebration days

Every Saturday, Shukla Ekadashi, Swati Nakshatram

Cultural events

Carnatic classical concerts and Harikatha during Narasimha Jayanthi

Annual events

Lakshmi Narasimha Rathotsavam and Teppotsavam in the Bhadra River

Peak crowd season

October to February and May (Narasimha Jayanthi)

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

20+ Vehicles

Parking fees

Free

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, Hundi

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.