A Wandering Heritager: Sri Yoganarasimha / Sri Yoganarasimhar Temple / ஸ்ரீ யோக நரசிம்மர் கோவில் , Melkote, Mandya District, Karnataka

Thursday 24 August 2023

Sri Yoganarasimha / Sri Yoganarasimhar Temple / ஸ்ரீ யோக நரசிம்மர் கோவில் , Melkote, Mandya District, Karnataka

The Visit to this Shri Yoga Narasimhar Temple at Melkote, in Karnataka, was a part of “Karnataka State, Hoysala Period Shiva and temple’s visit”- between 28^th - 30^th July 2023, organised by தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி" FB Group. This temple is one of the seven Narasimhar temples and an abhimana sthalam of Karnataka. The temple is on a hill of about 1777 meters above MSL. Resting mantapas are on the step route. In addition, a road was formed up to 3/4^th of the hill, for the Autos and Cars.

Moolavar : Sri Yoga Narasimhar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with A 5 tier Rajagopuram is at the entrance of the temple and at the end of steps. The second level entrance is on the south side with a single tier Gopuram. Stucco image of Yoga Narasimhar is on the top of the mandapam. Moolavar Sri Yoga Narasimhar is in sitting with Yogapatti & legs crossed / swastika asana and keeping both hands are on the knees.

A Hanuman Sannidhi is on the top of the hill and on the foot path also.

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ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, sukha nasi and maha mandapam. Even tough the temple was claimed as Hoysala period construction, majority of the structures belongs to Vijayanagara period pillars and sculptures. An Ekatala vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Some of the sculptures on the Rajagopuram entrance includes, Sanganithi, Padma Nidhi, rishaba Kunjaram, Kalinga Narthana with Snake deities, The Vijayanagara King who built the Rajagopuram, Maha Vishnu, Krishna, etc,.

Stucco image of garuda in worshipping posture is at the end of steps after the second level rajagopuram. Devotees images / bas reliefs in worshipping in lying down posture are on the floor of the entrance. On the side wall of the sanctum sanctorum has the bas relief image of the Narasimhar and the Vishnu’s 10 avatars in a brass plate.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during the region of Hoysala Empire during Vishnuvardhana, who followed Vaishnavam, under the influence of the Saint Ramanuja. ( It is believed that the Saint Ramanuja lived 12 years at melkote ). Latter the temple was destroyed and looted by the Muslim invaders during 14^th century. The temple was reconstructed during Vijayanagara period. Some Hale kannada Inscriptions are found on the beams of the circumambulatory mandapam.

The temple has a huge drum that was donated by Tipu Sultan. It has a beautiful bell that was donated by the Mysore Parakala matha. During the rule of the erstwhile Wodeyar Kings of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar - III had donated a gold crown to the temple deity.