The Visit to this Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple at Haranahalli, in Karnataka, was a part of “Karnataka State, Hoysala Period Shiva and temple’s visit”- between 28th - 30th July 2023, organised by தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி" FB Group.
Haranahalli is a small town in Arsikere Taluk, about 10 Kms from Arsikere town. Among the more important temples at this place are Chennakeshava and Someshwara, which are good specimens of Hoysala Architecture. They were built in 13th Century CE. This temple is dedicated to Maha Vishnu’s 3 avatars, Venugopala, Lakshmi Narasimha and Maha Vishnu as Keshava. Hence this is also called Shri Chennakeshava Temple. Due to the Lakshmi Narasimha temple, locals call this place as Lakshmi Narasimhapur.
Moolavar : Shri Lakshmi Narasimhar
Consort : Shri Maha Lakshmi
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east on the banks Haranahalli Lake. Moolavar Lakshmi Narasimhar is in sitting posture with left leg is folded and right leg is hanging. Maha Lakshmi is sitting on the left lap of Shri Narasimha and her right leg is also hanging. Narasimhar is with 4 hands holding Shankha, Chakra, Lotus flower and Mace. Garudan is on the base of the pedestal. Venugopala is in one of the shrine, in playing flute posture. Maha Vishnu as Chennakeshava is in another shrine in standing posture. Chennakeshava is with 4 hands holding shankha, Chakra in the upper hands and lower hands are holding Lotus flower and a mace. Alwars are in the Mandapam.
Saraswati, Ganapati, Sridevi and Bhudevi are in the Navaranga mandapam niches. Vishnu’s various avatars/ forms are in the koshtas / niches.
Lakshmi Narasimha
( PC Website )
Venugopala
(PC Web site )
ARCHITECTURE
The total temple was built with chloritic schist, more commonly known as soapstone. The temple was constructed in a stellate / star shaped form on a 4 feet raised platform / jagathi. This is a three kuta temple dedicated to Venugopala, Lakshmi Narasimha and Maha Vishnu as Keshava. The main temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, Sukhanasi / vestibule / antarala and navaranga mandapa. The Navaranga mandapa is supported with 10 lathe turned pillars apart from carved pillars & pilasters. The Maha mandapa is with 3 entrances from North& South ( only to the platforms ) and east to the Maha Mandapa.
A three tier vesara Vimanam is on the top of the sanctum sanctorum. The sukhanasi is extended up the antarala / sukhanasi in front of sanctum sanctorum.
The Main shrine is with vestibule / antarala and other two shrines are without antarala and directly connected to maha mandapa / Navaranga mandapa. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of all the three shrines.
The pillars of the temple are of various carvings. There are four vrutha pillars in the navaranga mandapam and on the western side of the interior are four small shrines in the east, kostas / niches, where the idols of Saraswati, Ganapati, Sridevi and Bhudevi are installed. Sculptures on the path of the temple, are twenty-four forms of Vishnu, Lakshmi, Panduranga, Ugra Narasimha, Kalinga narthana, Govardhana Giridhari, Lakshmi Narayana, Lakshmi Narasimha, Bhuvarahamurthy, Trivikrama, Rama, Parasurama, Hayagriva, etc. Apart from Vaishnava sculpture, Hindu goddess like, Chamundeeswari, Durga, Mahishasuramardini and gods like Brahma, Harihara, Bairava, Dakshinamoorthy, etc,. The sculpture panels depicts the scenes from the epic Mahabharata, Ramayan, etc,.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the display board by the Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage, Mysore, Two inscriptions are recorded from this temple.
This temple was built in 1234 CE by brothers Nijeswarabhatta, Sankanna and Gopanna.
As per another inscriptions recorded from this Village, this temple was dedicated to Maha Vishnu as Keshava. After that the temple was also called as Venugopala Temple. Lakshmi Narasimha was included after Veera Narasimha won a war and now called as Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple. There are two inscriptions recorded from this temple.
Ref:
Display board at the entrance of the Temple.
HOW TO REACH
The place Haranahalli is on the Arsikere – Hassan Highway, and the temple is about 200 meters off the Highway.
The temple is about 9 KM from Arsikere Railway Station, 35 KM from Hassan, 30 KM from Halebeedu 146 KM from Mysore and 190 KM from Bangalore.
Nearest railway station is Arsikere.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
An unfinished sculpture on the left
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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