A couple of hours drive northwest from the silicon city of India – Bengaluru will land you to a hill spotting a few prominent pilgrimage spots. This place offers a weekend getaway not only for nature lovers to behold the breath-taking sunrise, wildlife conservationist, photographers, trekkers, but also to devotees offering a serene environment to offer their prayers to their beloved Deity – Sri Bhoga Narasimha Swamy.
Devarayana Durga Hill
Devarayana Durga has stood testimony to its name which means “Fort of God”. Even though it had a variety of other names like Anebiddasari then as Jadakana Durga after a chief named Jadaka. This hill was also named as Kusumadri and Karigiri Kshetra. The hill has adapted the name Devarayanadurga after the Mysore ruler Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar won it on one of his successful accomplishments. Located 4000 feet above sea level. The fort or the temple is built in the Dravidian style and the temples are said to be about 2000 years old.
This hill has great spiritual significance as it houses a couple of other pilgrimage spots. It is believed that great devotees of Lord Vishnu like Lord Brahma and Durvasa Muni have performed penance.
This hill is the abode for two temples built for Lord Narasimha, one at the foothills named Bhoga Narasimha and the other shrine constructed on the hillock termed Yoga Narasimha.
This hill has strange features, when seen from East this looks like an Elephant (hence called Karigiri), from South a lion, from West like a snake, and from north like a Garuda.
Sri Bhoga Narasimha
The Deity of Sri Bhoga Narasimha located at the foothills of the hill is facing east. A demon named Pundarika was slayed by Lord Narayana to which all the devatas showered flowers from the heavenly abodes and the places was inundated with flowers. Hence this place got the name Kusumadri.
Appearance of the Pushkarni
It is said that Durvasa Muni performed tapasya here for many years and once desired to have a holy dip in the Ganges. While he was heading to Kashi, Mother Ganga appeared to him and said, “You may continue to perform your tapas here and I shall appear for you right here to take a holy dip. Thus, the temple pond was formed.
Sri Yoga Narasimha
The Deity of Sri Yoga Narasimha is situated 4,200 ft above sea level facing north, at a distance of one mile from Sri Bhoga Narasimha temple. This Deity was installed by Lord Brahma who performed severe penances for ten thousand years.
How to reach Devarayanadurga
The best way to reach Devarayanadurga is to join our 1-day Kaidala Tour. For booking call 9844700850 / 9108332626
Devarayanadurga is well-connected with Bangalore, the nearest airport being Bangalore International Airport. The average distance from Bangalore to Devarayanadurga is about 75 kms. The nearest railway station is Tumkur railway station. State Government run busses ply frequently to Devarayanadurga.
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5 Comments On Sri Bhoga Narasimha Temple, Devarayana Durga, Karnataka
Sudarsan Maharana
Enlightening information. Will go for a darshan someday.
Vasantha Kamalakar
Vasantha Kamalaker ,my Address is No.602 Ashwathkatte Road, Chikkalasandra, near st.domnic school. Bangalore 560061
Girish
Please tell us about lord sitting in the air
Sandeep
Heard from the priest in the temple that the vigrah was in the air till a few years ago. Now it is not so. This happened some years ago when the temple was renovated.
prasad
Nice information. should visit once.