Kurumgad Narasimha Temple Karwar

Kurumgad Narasimha Temple-Karwar

Kurumgad Narasimha Temple is located on a tortoise shaped island which is a kilometer away from Devbagh Beach in Karwar of Karnataka.This temple is believed to be over 1000 years old.This temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, who was the incarnation of God Vishnu as per Hindu mythology.

This temple on Kurumgad Island can be reached by travelling by ferry from Sadhashivgad Boat Jetty on the backwaters of River Kali and then devotees has to climb the mountain to access the temple.

In Sanskrit Kurma means tortoise. Since the beach is in the shape of a tortoise, it is called Kurumgad. The popular belief here is that Lord Narasimha swam across the sea from the beach and created this island by tearing apart the sea.

Although the origin of this temple is not known, there are many legends associated with the temple which are narrated by the locals. One such legend is that of the pujari who would swim from Karwar to reach the temple. His character and devotion were so pure that he would sit on a banana leaf and sail easily to the island. Once due to his wife’s ignorance, he was not able to sail on the banana leaf, instead drowned within the Arabian sea.

The fishermen revere this temple a lot. They believe that Lord Narasimha shall protect them while they are out fishing.

Kurumgad Narasimha Temple attracts a great amount of footfall every year especially during the annual festival celebrations locally called Jatre, in January. Thousands of devotees visit this temple during Pushya Purnima.