Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in M K Hubli is the temple dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. This is a holy Narasimha Kshetra in Karnataka located on the banks of Malaprabha River.
Across Dakshina Bharata, there are innumerable temples of Lord Narasimha. One such temple is Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in the Belgaum district. The temple is situated on the banks of River Malaprabha which was originally known as Malapahari River.
The Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple has three important tirthas to have darshan – the Shivalinga, Sri Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and Achyutarayana Katte.
History of Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
In the ancient times, Chyavana Rishi came here along with his disciples while he was on bhramana of Bharatavarsha. He was attracted to the exotic and serene beauty of this place and desired to build his ashram here. He was a staunch worshipper of Lord Shiva. Therefore, he installed the Shivalinga here, performed tapasya for many years and engaged himself in worshiping Lord Shiva.
A few years later, he performed a grand sacrifice for the welfare of the people. The sacrifice lasted for many years. One day while the yajna was in progress, the disciples of Chyavana Muni asked him about the receiver of that sacrifice. Chyavana Muni meditated for a while and answered that Lord Narasimha was the receiver of the oblations of that sacrifice.
The disciples were all surprised that how could oblations be offered to Lord Narasimha as Chyavana Muni was a Shaivite? Chyavana Muni clarified that Lord Narayana was the Yajnapati. He is the receiver of all the sacrifices. As per the instructions of Sage Chyavana, the ritviks offered the sacrifice to Lord Narasimha.
Maharishi Chyavana then took a shila from the Malapahari river and invoked Lord Narasimha into it. He worshiped the shila with shodashopachara and offered the yajna to Lord Narasimha. A few days later, Lord Narasimha ordered sage Chyavana to proceed to Gadwal in Andhra Pradesh. Chyavana Muni immersed Narasimha’s Deity in the Malaprabha river and left the place.
The Achyutarayana Katte
Later in the 17th century, Vijayanagara’s King Achyutaraya had camped here while on his way to fight against Goa. While sleeping, King Achyutaraya had a dream in which Lord Narasimha told him that Shivalinga was present in the same place, he should renovate the temple for the same and arrange for the daily pujas. After that he should go back to Vijayanagar. As per his dream, Achyutaraya deployed his soldiers for the cleansing and restoration of the temple.
While the cleaning process was going on, the Ashwatha Vruksha (Peepal tree) near the temple got stuck by an axe unknowingly. To everyone’s surprise blood started oozing from the tree. Due to this sinful act, all the soldiers including the King had caught a disease, causing blockage of urinals. King’s stomach begins to burn.
Achyutaraya approached the tree and saw that the blood was oozing out of Peepal tree. As soon as he saw that he fell unconscious. Later, when he woke up, he heard a celestial voice announcing that Lord Narayana resided the in the Ashwatha Tree and therefore it was a holy tree. The king should build a compound wall around it and arrange for the daily worship.
Achyutaraya immediately got the wall constructed around the tree. He then gave land to the priests and arranged for the daily worship. He made permanent arrangements for offering of one kilo of rice as bhoga daily and for lightening a lamp day and night. He then returned to Vijayanagar. Since then, this place came to be known as the Achyutarayana Katte. Katte means a short height compound wall.
Lord Narsimha is re-established at Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Sri Yadavaryaru, the contemporary of Sri Raghavendra Swamy visited Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. He saw a Peepal tree and Shivalinga worshiped by sage Chyavana. He concluded that this was an ideal place to perform tapasya. He engaged in selfless devotion to Lord Narasimha.
Pleased by his devotion, Lord Narasimha along with the sapta ganas including Lakshmi Devi, Kamadhenu, Surya, Chandra, Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma and Garuda gave darshan to him in a dream. Beholding the Lord, Yadavaryaru glorified Him by singing – vashishtha krishna mama dehi karavalambam. Lord Narasimha then embraced Yadavaryaru.
Lord Narasimha asked Yadavaryaru to remove Narasimha shila from the river, draw His form the way he saw now using sandal paste and begin worshiping it. Yadavaryaru rushed to the river. He could not decide which stone had to be taken out as there were many shilas.
He prayed to the Lord for guidance. There was a celestial voice in the sky which stated to leave the darbha grass in water. The place where the grass flowed against the current of the river and caught fire, he had to remove that shila to worship it.
As per instructions of the Lord, Yadavaryaru brought the shila, drew the form of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha on it and began the worship. The Lord is presently embodied here in the same form drew by Yadavaryaru. He is giving darshan to devotees and fulfilling their desires.
How to reach Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
The best way to reach Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha temple is to join Tirtha Yatra and get your tour organized.
By Road: Sri Ashwatha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is 480 kms from Bengaluru, 35 kms from Belagavi and 66 kms from Hubli. Road transport can be easily availed from these locations. Regular bus services and taxis are also available from Hubli and Belagavi.
By Rail: Hubli and Belagavi are the nearest railway station. It is well-connected by important towns of India.
By Air: The nearest airport to Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is Hubli. Buses and private taxies are available from the airport.
Best time to visit Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
September to January is the best time to visit Sri Ashwath Lakshmi Narasimha Temple as the weather is very pleasant and the water in the river is almost full. The remaining part of the year is quite hot.
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