Route 1 (NH948): Bangalore - Kanakapura - Malavalli - Kollegala - Mamballi
Route 2 (NH275): Bangalore - Ramnagara - Madduru - KM doddi - Malavalli - Shivanasamudra - Mamballi
Distance and Time: 150 km from Bangalore; 3 hours (based on the traffic)
Are you free this weekend? You must then plan your visit to this ancient and unique Narasimha Swamy temple in the Mamballi village of Kollegala. The temple is not very famous, and will be a perfect weekend destination if you have been keen on exploring the history of an ancient temple. You will come across many other temples on the way if you choose to drive via NH275.
More About Narasimha Swamy Temples
Starting early in the morning to beat the Bangalore city traffic will be the best thing to do. You can have breakfast at any of the restaurants on Mysore Road. If you are looking for a sumptuous and a heavy breakfast, Kamat Lokaruchi is the best choice. You can also halt at Adigas or Kadambam for hot and yummy idlis served with delicious sambhar and crispy vadas.
PC: Pratheepps
If you have time to stop by on the way, visiting the Malur Aprameya Swamy temple and the Kengal Anjaneya Swamy temple would be amazing, or else you may drive straight to the Agara Narasimha Swamy Temple at Mamballi. Drive until you reach the Basavangudi Street of Mamballi and there on the right, a signboard with the temple details would lead you to this place.
The lane leading to the temple is dominated by priests belonging to the Brahmin community; hence, the temple is called "Agara Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple". The old houses take you to a bygone era of the ancient times and are a visual treat.
PC : Brunda Nagaraj
Architecture Of The Agara Narasimha Swamy Temple
The temple was built during the Chola dynasty and is a west-facing temple. As you go around the temple, you would get to see the carvings of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu on the walls of the temple. A small shrine of goddess Lakshmi is also present in the temple premises, however; this temple is closed due to snakes. There is also a large Peepal tree with a number of serpent gods installed under it.
PC : Brunda Nagaraj
Statue Of Agara Narasimha Swamy
The statue of the deity belongs to the Treta Yuga and it is believed that visiting this place is equivalent to visiting 15 holy shrines. The Lord here is seated on an eagle in a yogic posture with his tongue sticking out depicting the end of the demon king, Hiranyakashyapa.
To the right side, you would get to see the sculpture of saint Narada singing hymns of the Lord and to the left is the carving of Prahalada singing praises of the Lord.
In the heart of the Lord, resides Goddess Lakshmi showering her devotees with blessings. The statue of Lord Narasimha Swamy here has a third eye on the forehead resembling that of Lord Shiva which adds to the uniqueness of the statue and the mane on the chest is very intricately carved showing the aggressiveness of the Lord.
PC : Brunda Nagaraj
Pond In Front Of The Temple
The pond in front of the temple is said to have been built by Saint Vashishta to protect the crops from being burnt from the third eye of the Lord's statue. Legend also says that Saint Vashishta travelled from this temple to the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple to offer his prayers to Lord Ranganatha (another incarnation of Lord Vishnu) after building this pond.
The temple hosts an annual fair which is celebrated with great fervour and gaiety . The villagers here prepare a grand meal and offer it to the Lord with great devotion. A lot of devotees travelling to BR hills and Kollegala visit this place and take part in the celebrations.
Panchalingeshwara Temple In Talakadu
If you are planning to visit this temple, please carry the necessary pooja items along as there are very few shops around that sell flowers and fruits.
You may choose to spend an entire day here amidst the serene beauty, or else leave early and visit Shivanasamudra and Talakadu on your way back.