Nar Narayan Temple

Nar Narayan Temple is nestled in the bustling lanes of Kalbadevi in Mumbai.Nar Narayan Temple is considered to be among the very few ones in the world with deities of Lord Krishna (Narayan) and Arjuna (Nar) in its sanctum. Despite being central figures of the revered Bhagavad Gita, the holy book of Hindus, Lord Krishna and Arjuna have seldom been idolised in a temple together.

Nar Narayan Temple is markedly different from traditional Krishna temples in India. Not only because it is home to Nar and Narayan, but also because of its unique architecture which features the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu and more charming depictions on its ceiling and walls.

Built over a century ago by noted philanthropist, Manmohandas Kahandas in accordance with his father Kahandas Narandas’ last wish, Nar Narayan Temple sits serenely beside a quaint old kadam (kadamba) tree.

The name “Nara-Narayana” can be broken into two Sanskrit terms, Nara and Narayana. Nara means male being, and Narayana refers to the name of the deity.The Hindu scripture Mahabharata identifies the prince Arjuna with Nara, and the deity Krishna with Narayana.

Before their incarnations as Arjuna-Krishna, the duo were born as the sages Nara-Narayana, the latter being the son of Dharma. They travelled from the world of men to the world of Brahman and, with veneration from both the devas and the gandharvas, existed exclusively for the destruction of asuras. Indra is described to have been assisted by Nara and Narayana in his conflict with the asuras.

According to the Vamana Purana, the twins were sons of Dharma, the son of Brahma and his wife Murti (daughter of Daksha), or Ahimsa. They lived at Badrika, performing severe austerities and meditation, for the welfare of the world and mankind.