Venugopalaswamypanchanarayana Archives

23/Sep/2022

Location

Constructed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire, Veera Narayana Temple is another ancient temple in Karnataka. Belavadi is a quaint village in the Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka and the Veera Narayana Temple is located in this village. This temple was built in 1200 CE and has three main shrines that are worshipped by the locals. Veera Narayana Temple is famed for its impeccable architecture and is the largest temple set up by the Hoysala kings. Visit this remarkable temple on Narasinha Jayanthi and witness the wonderful celebrations held at this temple.

Architecture and Sculpture

Veera Narayana Temple is world famous for its impressive architectural style. Every year on March 23, the sun’s rays fall on the Lord in this divine temple, along with Narayan, Narasimha, and Venugopalaswamy Koluvai receiving the worship of the devotees. This oldest site is located in Belawadi, Karnataka.

The Vishnu temple, which has a lot of other features along with amazing sculptural skills, is the Narayanaswamy Sannidhi at Belawadi, twenty-eight kilometers from Chikmagalur in Karnataka. Here Vishnumurthy is receiving the main pooja as Narayana in Salagrama from Venugopala and Yoga Narasimha is standing on either side of the Lord.

The 108 Stupas in this compound are independent of each other. History says that this temple built in the 13th century by Devaraya II of Veeraballa. In this temple called Trikutachala Kshetra, every year on March 23, the rays of the sun pass through the seven gates here and fall on the Lord and it takes two eyes to see it. History says that this temple was built by the immortal sculpturist Jakkana.

Legend

History says that Belavadi existed even during the Mahabharata period and it called the Ekachakranagari. It said that the disguised Pandavas used to hide in a Brahmin’s house, here Bhima killed Bakasura while there. Similarly, Lord Vishnu in the form of Narayana killed the demon Sakasura in this region. After that, the Lord remained like a rock. It is said that Veera Narayana Temple was built by Veera Ballala Devaraya some years after that.

It is said that not only this temple but also Belavadi has been adopted by the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham in the 1760s since then puja programs are conducted here according to the tradition of that Peetham. Even though many temples were destroyed in the wars that took place in the past, the temple administrators also say that this one is not intact.

The Temple

Belavadi Veera Narayana Temple named after one of the shrines of Narasimha, Venugopalaswamypanchanarayana. It also said to be one with Vijaya Narayana in Belur, Cheluva Narayana in Melkote, Keertinarayana in Talakadu, and Nambinarayana in Thondanoor. It special to see Swami Gada here with Padmas.

Similarly, on the right side of Lord Krishna appears in the form of Venugopal standing under a Kalpa tree. The archeology department claims that this statue is rare in the country. Also, Yoga Narasimha on the other side can be seen in yoga mudra with conch and chakras. It is special that Sridevi and Bhudevi are standing next to this Swami. There are Dasavatars around Narayan’s idol. Balarama appears instead of Krishna in the eighth avatar. Devotees believe that childless people will get children if they visit Venugopala Swamy here.

Devotees visit Yoga Narasimha to solve problems like health, financial problems, and court affairs. Every year along with March 23rd, Krishnashtami, and other festivals, special pujas performed to the Lord. It is remarkable that every year many devotees visit this place which is not only spiritual but also attractive in terms of nature.

Festivals

A festival called Bandi Bana commemorating Bheema, one of the Pandavas, slaying Bakasura celebrated annually.

How to reach Veera Narayana Temple

This temple located in a village called Belavadi in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. The temple is ten kilometers from Halebidu and 28 kilometers from Chikmagalur. By plane, you can reach Bangalore. From there you can reach Chikmagalur and go to the temple. If you want to come by train, there are railway stations at Kadur and Birur. It is easy to reach the temple if you get down there.

Belavadi Veera Narayana Temple Tirumaleshdi Eruwada Jodu Pancheludasara Navratri is good to see the Brahmotsavam of Venkateswara Swamy with two eyes. On the first day at that time, the weavers of Jogulamba Gadwala district make the panchels that tied to Swami!

The tradition of tying panchals woven by those workers to the Lord with great discipline for a month has been going on for more than 350 years. This tradition started by Gadwala settlers and even today their descendants continue to weave Eruvada Jodu (two) panchels with Gadwala weavers every year in Sravana month and present them to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Moreover, after offering panchels to Tirumalesh, the priests say ‘Gadwala Eruvada jodu panchelu’ three times in Swami’s ear.

Click to Follow: Facebook and Twitter