Temple with a rare Narasimha Meru

‘Sri Hari Vaikunta Kshetra’ is a famous Narasimha Swamy Temple located in Roopena Agrahara, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. According to the temple priest, this shrine boasts of a 400-year-old Narasimha Meru and this is the only temple in India with this special feature. Devotees far and wide flock this temple especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, considered auspicious days for Narasimha Swamy, to offer their prayers.

Here the Narasimha Meru is seen amidst the idols of Ashta Lakshmis: Aadhi Lakshmi, Santhana Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhaanya Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vira Lakshmi and Aishwarya Lakshmi.

It is believed that performing Namakaranam to children at this temple will give them courage and the deity will protect them forever. It is also believed that children having Annaprashnam done here will never face the scarcity for food through their life and and getting married at the Ashta Lakshmi Samedha Narasimha Swamy Sannidhi will bring peace and prosperity in that couple’s life.

A rare feature

‘Narasimha Meru’ is a chakra with a shape of a hill, specially made for Lord Narasimha Swamy. This has all the mantras (Beejakshara) related to Lord Narasimha Swamy. This rare Narasimha Meru is said to be powerful. This meru has ‘Adhi Kurma, Adhi Varaha, Adhi Vasuki and Adhi Manduka’ inside the meru, indicating as if these are carrying the meru. At the base one can see ‘Chethur Yalli and Ashta Gaga.’ At the top of the chakra one can see ‘Shreekara and Omkara.’

Devotees believe that performing 28 pradakshanams to Lord Narasimha Swamy and to this Meru by carrying toor dal in the palm and offering it to the temple will solve Kuja dosha, financial constraints, barrenness and will bring peace and prosperity in their life. The temple priest informed us that the toor dal is used for annadanam on Swathi Nakshatra of every month.

In the Hindu pantheon, Narasimha is one of the Dasavataras of Lord Hari or Vishnu. Lord Vishnu took Narasimha avataram in Vaishaka month on the Swati Nakshatra day to kill the demon king Hiranyakasipu. Since the deity’s birth star is Swati, every month on this day there will be special pujas performed to Lord Narasimha besides Sudarsana Narasimha homam, Sathyanarayana Swamy puja, Ratharohana, Runa Vimochana Stotropadesha and annadanam. Thousands of people throng this temple on this auspicious day to offer their prayers. The temple is planning to construct a separate mandapam for annadanam.

Deepotsavam is considered auspicious at this temple. This year 1,008 lamps were lit on the occasion of Deepavali, and Swati nakshatram and dolotsvam, organised for the first time, was performed at the temple.

How to reach : The temple is located close to the Madivala overbridge behind the Srinivasa Perumal temple on the Hosur road.

From Madivala one can take the over bridge and then drive down the Electronic City Elevated express way where there is a ‘U’ turn. From there take the service road and after about 500 meters one would see the Srinivasa Perumal Temple on the left.

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Special features

This is the only place in India where Meru is dedicated to Lord Narasimha.

The Meru is 400 years old.

Devotees offer Toor Daal to get their wishes fulfilled.

Tuesdays and Saturdays are considered auspicious for worshipping the Lord.

All Days (except Tuesday): Morning: 8 - 11 a.m.; evening: 6 - 8.30 p.m.

Tuesdays : Morning: 6.30 a.m. - 12 Noon; evening: 6 – 9 p.m.