Spiritual PlaceHindu temple

Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple

Vijayanagara-era Narasimha temple at the meeting of the Kaveri and Kabini at T.; Narasipura

Photo: Dineshkannambadi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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01 — The story

The Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple is in Tirumakudal Narasipura, about 20 miles south-east of Mysore, where the Kaveri and Kabini rivers meet, a spot Hindus hold sacred. The temple dates from Vijayanagara times, around the 16th century, and is built in Dravidian style with a tall gopura over the entrance and a four-pillared hall before the sanctum.

It takes its name from the gunja tree growing in front of the main gate, and a proud local saying holds the temple to be holier than Kashi by the weight of one gunja seed. Its sculptures include Narasimha with a gunja berry and stalk in hand, and the demon king Hiranyakashipu. The Dalavoys of Mysore funded its upkeep, and it is now an ASI-protected monument. With the nearby Agastyeshwara temple, it hosts an annual jatra that draws many devotees.

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02 — About

Coming soon

We’re still writing about Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple: its history, what’s there and why it’s worth the trip.