Yoga Narasimha Temple Gorur

Yoga Narasimha Temple Gorur is on the banks of River Hemavathy which flows past the town of Gorur in Hassan District. This place is also revered as Gokarna Kshetra.

All through the Indian state of Karnataka, there are hundreds of ancient temples dedicated to Lord Narasimha some pre-dating even a thousand years. Many of these temples are situated in scenic surroundings such as the mountain tops, amidst the lush green forests, and some on the banks of the Holy rivers.

One such temple Sri Yoga Narasimha Temple Gorur which lies on the banks of River Hemavathy. After passing through a small and serene village Gorur, one must drive past the green paddy fields and the mango orchards to reach the location of this temple. The surroundings of this temple shall surely enchant you and not allow you to return.

The origin of Yoga Narasimha Temple Gorur

This small yet complete temple of Sri Yoga Narasimha predates to the Vedic Times when the sages walked this sacred land. A great sage named Gokarna had chosen this place to observe penances. Even today Gorur is such a beautiful place. I can’t imagine how it would have been during that time. No wonder Sage Gokarna chose this place for his tapasya.

Pleased by the austerities observed by sage Gokarna, Lord Narasimha gave him darshan on a stone slab situated in front of the sage. The Lord then chose to stay here to bless His devotees in future and named the kshetra as Gokarna Kshetra.

The Deity of Sri Yoga Narasimha

This charming Deity of Sri Yoga Narasimha is said to be carved from the same stone on which Lord Narasimha gave darshan to Gokarna Rishi. Some devotees are in the opinion that the vigraha is self-manifested. The vigraha of the Lord is in the yoga asana, with four hands. In the upper two hands, Lord Narasimha holds Panchajanya and Sudarshana. The lower hands are in the yoga mudra with yoga patta (a band) around His lotus feet.

The face of Sri Yoga Narasimha has three eyes and faces west, since Gokarna Rishi was facing east while doing tapasya. The vigraha was found by two brothers Dodda Narasaiah and Chikka Narasaiah in an ant hill, when they saw a cow pouring milk atop the anthill.

The Yoga Narasimha Temple Gorur

The sixteenth century temple was constructed by the brothers who found the Deity, with the help of the villagers as per the locals. The temple is constructed in the Hoysala style of architecture. Perhaps it was renovated during the Hoysala period.

It is a small temple with a prakara, rajgopura, navaranga mantapa and a small mantapa outside the rajagopuram. This small mantapa is the location where Lord Narasimha gave darshan to Gokarna Rishi or the place where he performed tapasya. In the olden days Gorur was famed as Shata Rudra Yaga Puri mostly due to the performance of hundred Rudra Yajnas.

There is another temple dedicated to Para Vasudeva in the same village dating to the Vijayanagara period.

Temple Timings of Sri Yoga Narasimha Temple Gorur

The worship in the temple is performed as per the Vaikhanasa Shastra. The temple is open from morning till evening around 5 pm. After going there, you may contact the temple archaka who shall open the temple for you to have darshana.

How to reach Yoga Narasimha Temple Gorur

Yoga Narasimha Temple Gorur is in the Hassan District of Karnataka. To reach this temple easily and without any hassles, you can take up Narasimha Tours by Tirtha Yatra.

On your own you may take the following routs:

By Air – the nearest airport is Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport. From here, you must travel to Hassan and take the State Road Transport Service to reach Gorur. From Bengaluru bus stand also, there are periodical buses to Gorur daily.

By Rail – Hassan is the nearest Railway Station well connected from Bengaluru and Mysuru Railway Station. From Hassa, you may take the State Road Transport Services or even hire a private taxi to reach Gorur.

By Road – Gorur is well connected with a State Highway. There are State Transport buses plying from Hassan and Bengaluru. You may also hire a private taxi to reach Gorur from Hassan and Bengaluru Bus Stands.