Ramtek Sri Kevala Narasimha Temple

Ramtek Sri Kevala Narasimha Temple

Sri Kevala Narasimha temple is situated at Ramtek near Nagpur in Maharashtra.The Ramtek Kevala Narasiṃha temple inscription is an epigraphic record of the Vakaṭaka dynasty, documenting the construction of a temple dedicated to the Lord Narasiṃha or lion-man incarnation (avatara) of Lord Vishṇu.

Dedicated to Lord Narasimha, this is the oldest surviving Vakataka temple & oldest stone temple in Maharashtra.

Ramtek in Nagpur district is believed that during his exile, Lord Rama had rested here which at that time was the ashram of Sage Agastya.Thus, the name Ramtek refers
to ‘the place where Ram rested’. The word ‘Tek’ also refers to ‘vow’. Presently, there exists a hillock with a large group of temples of different periods. There is a beautiful Pushkarni (water tank) and the Kalidas Memorial with a museum that has paintings from the plays of Kalidasa.

The brick temple Kevala Narasimha temple dated to the 5th Century CE and has an inscription (currently damaged) of the Vakataka dynasty in Bramhi script and Sanskrit language. It records the genealogy of the Vakatakas and also explains the matrimonial relations between the Vakatakas and the Guptas. It also records the illustrious Vakataka Queen Prabhavatigupta’s, (daughter of Chandragupta II married to the Vakatakas who acted as a reagent to the throne after the death of her husband) daughter who was married to Ghatotkachha, the king of Central India.

The Narasimha which although not ornate, appears gigantic and acts as a true symbol of the imposing authority.There is also a temple dedicated to a Varaha of the same period.

Rare posture of Lord Narasimha can be seen with “Prayoga Chakra”.
Prayoga Chakra is basically Sudarshana chakra but when it is held vertically by a deity in temple it is known as Prayoga Chakra.