Chintamani Narasimha Temple

Chintamani Narasimha Temple- Kudli

Chintamani Narasimha Temple Kudli is a unique temple of Lord Narasimha on the banks of the confluence of Tunga and Bhadra rivers in the Shimoga District of Karnataka.

The ancient and sacred city of Kudli has been known from the Mahabharata era and prior to that as well. The Puranas and other Vedic literation revers this city as holy. This has been the tapo bhumi of sage Galava. Some say that Tunga River is the manifestation of Lord Vishnu and the Bhadra river represents Lord Shiva. The sacred union of these rivers at Kudli makes this place an important kshetra for tapasya and other religious acts as recommended by the shastras. Kudli in kannada language means sangama.

Not surprisingly, the sacred city hosts many wonderful temples credited to the Nayakas of Keladi and the Hoysala Dynasty. Sri Chintamani Narasimha Temple Kudli is one such unique temple. Unlike the other temples of Lord Narasimhadev, in this temple Lord Narasimha is in a seated posture and giving darshan to his devotees.

The Chintamani Narasimha Temple Kudli was built in the twelfth century. It has got a 3 tiered Rajagopura, a
small prakara, sabha mandapa, sukanasi and the garbha-griha.

The origin of Sri Chintamani Narasimha Temple

After the Narasimha Avatara was concluded, Bhakta
Prahlada went on a pilgrimage, touring the entire Earth, thus visiting many holy places and at the same time reclaiming the souls who were drowned in this material world. During his pilgrimage, he
visited Kudli. He decided to take a holy bath in the sangam of Tunga and Bhadra Rivers. While on a
pilgrimage Prahlada Maharaja was carrying a shaligrama shila which he would worship daily.

While taking bath, he kept the shaligrama shila on the banks of sangama and when he returned from the sangam, he saw that the shaligrama shila has taken the shape of a beautiful vigraha of Lord Narasimha and it continued to grow. To stop the vigraha grow further, Prahlada Maharaja kept his thumb on the forehead of the Narasimha vigraha. Even today devotees can have darshan of the imprint of the thumb of Prahlada Maharaja. Prahlada performed the prana pratishtha at the same place and got a temple constructed for Lord Narasimha.

Lord Narasimha is in the virasana posture. In his right hand, he is holding a small bowl while his left hand is resting on his thigh.

This temple is called as Chintamani Narasimha. Who ever prays and surrenders, lord will bless them and remove their worries.