On a personal visit for a Upanayana Function in Mysuru, we decided to explore some Devalayas enroute and what we discovered was far more than what we had bargained for. This 5 part piece has common introduction including this paragraph and you can access details of those temples here by clicking the appropriate links (it opens in a new window):

• Kengal Anjaneya Swami Temple, Kengal
• Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple (Ambegalu Krishna), Malur, Channapatna
• Sri Hole Anjaneya Swamy Temple & Sri Varaprasada Srinivasa Madhwacharya Temple, Maddur
• Sri Ugra Narasimha Swamy Temple, Maddur (this Article)
• Sri Vaidyanatheshwara Gudi, Maddur

It was a virtual rewind to different Era, each temple belonging to different reigns and the Architectural marvels of Hoysalas, Gangas, Cholas and Vijayanagara Empires in its resplendent best was on display (mention of the sequence of Kingdoms are not chronological but geographical as we drove from Bengaluru). Based on my discussions with the locals and also with the Temple Authorities and Archakas, I have tried to indicate the significance of each temple in brief. As always, open to feedback, suggestions and corrections (with credit). The temples we were blessed to visit are in sequence indicated above:

Shri Ugra Narasimha Temple

उग्रं वीरं महाविष्णुं
ज्वलन्तं सर्वतोमुखम्। 
नृसिंहं भीषणं भद्रं
मृत्युमृत्युं नमाम्यहम् ॥
Ugram Viram Maha Vishnum
Jvalantam Sarvato Mukham
Nirisimham Bhishanam Bhadram
Mrutyur Mrutyum Namamy Aham

Shri Ugra Narasimha Temple, Maddur is considered one of the Divya Narasimha Kshetra and this temple reconstructed by Hoysala Kingdom is atleast 800 years old. We happened to be there on the Utsava day (Annual Festival), and the entire Village was decorated and it was a festive Atmosphere all over

About Maddur

There is a school of thought that Maddur is derived from Maddu-Gundu (Gun Powder & Ammunitions) were stored here by the rulers. However, the palm leaf containing the sthala-purana had been examined by Archaeological Department. Maddur is referred to as Arjunapuri and also Kadambakshetra. There are two inscriptions in the Shri Ugra Narasimha temple and one is dated in 1150 A D. Another at the outer entrance has been set down to the 10th century. In the inscriptions, Maddur is called Marudur and also Narashimha-Chaturvedimangala. Thus it goes on to prove that Maddur is derived either from Marudur or Madduramma.

Historically Maddur dates back to the days of Mahabharata and it was in Dwapara Yuga that the place was called Arjunapuri or Kadambakshetra (mentioned earlier). Arjuna had heard a lot about Narasimha Avatara and requested Bhagwan Krishna, an Avatar of Vishnu Himself, to show His Narasimha incarnation; Krishna tells Arjuna that no one can withstand the power of ferocity of the Narasimha form. As an alternate, He suggests that he can manifest into a Vigraha carved by Brahma and give Arjuna a Darshan. Upon this, Vishwakarma based on request from Brahma got a Murti of Sri Ugra Narasimha carved and sent it to Arjunapuri. Arjuna gets the Darshana of Narasimha in His most ferocious form in Arjunapuri (in modern days known as Maddur).

The Ashtabhuja Murti of Narasimha has eight hands and three eyes. Two hands are tearing Hiranyakashipu apart, who lies on His legs and two hands are ripping intestines of Hiranyakashipu apart, which appears as a garland on the body of Narasimha; In other hands you will find Sudarshana Chakra), Panchajanya Conch, Pasha (a loop or knot used as a weapon to bind an enemy) & Ankusha (goad). In the sanctum sanctorum you will find Bhakta Prahlada towards His right and Garuda on the left. Both in standing posture offering their prayers to Him. Legend has it that His third eye got manifested while killing the demon Hiranyakashipu. It is very rare to see a Agamic Trinetradaari Narasimha Temple (another one I have heard is in Hubballi, but it is a recent temple). Kadamba Rishi used to bathe in the River Kadamba flowing beside the temple and come to the temple to worship, and hence there is a reference to the temple as Kadamba Punyakshetra.

As we step out of inner courtyard, we have upadevalayas of Shri Srinivasa, Maate Yashoda with Shri Krishna, Shri Sowmya Nayaki and Shri Narasimha Nayaki (consorts of Narasimha) on the left side and Pattabhisheka Shri Rama Parivara. Unique feature of Shri Rama Parivara devalaya is that Anjaneya is on the left of Shri Rama (usually He is always on the right)

Shri Varadaraja Temple is on the left of Shri Ugra Narasimha and the legend behind this is that Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana’s mother lost her eye-sight. He sought the advice of his Guru Shri Ramanujacharya. Guru suggested him to worship Shri Varadaraja Perumal in Kanchipuram. Since the King’s mother was too old to undertake this arduous journey, the King commissioned artisans from Kanchipuram to create an exact replica of the Kanchi Shri Varadaraja Perumal. After consecration and Prana-Pratishta, King’s mother regained her sight and looked at the amazing form of Deity Shri Varadaraja. Thus, the Deity here is also referred to as Kanchi Kannvaradaraja Swami. (Kannu=Eyes, Vara=Boon)

Click here for driving directions and Google map Location to the temple

Jai Shri Ugra Narasimha
Govinda Govinda