The Sri Manikarnika Gunja Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Baburayan Koppal near Sriranga patna is situated on the banks of the sacred river Cauvery and near the confluence of Lokapavani and Cauvery rivers.
The word "Manikarnika" reminds one of the famous Manikarnika Ghat of Kashi where it is said that Lord Vishnu dug a pit with his chakra while he was performing severe penance. The pit was filled with his perspiration. When Lord Shiva shook his head in admiration at this sight, his jeweled ear ornament glowed in space and fell into the pit with a resounding murmur. This is how the famous bathing ghat "Manikarnika" in Kashi got its name.
At the temple here in BR Kappal, the deity Lord Narasimha has a small bead (gulaganji) held up in his right palm to indicate that this kshetra is more sacred (by the weight of a gulaganji) than the Manikarnika Ghat at Kashi. That is why the deity here is called "Manikarnika Sri Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha.
Nearby are situated the famous Karighatta where Lord Srinivasa is worshipped and Naimishamba on the other side of the river. The story goes that Bhrigu Maharshi performed severe tapas at this place as instructed by Lord Narayana and Sri
Lakshmi Narashima appeared before him. The temple was looked after for many years by the ancestors of the Manikarnika family who were reciding there. As the prakaram was in a dilapidated condition, "Manikarnika Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Seva Trust (Regd.)" was formed for the upkeep of the temple and it has taken up renovation and other works.
The Trust has also been celebrating, every year, the Souramana Narasimha Jayanthi at the temple.
The temple is about 120 kms from Bangalore on the Bangalore-Mysore road and just before the bridge on the river Cauvery before entering Srirangapatna, a left turn on the highway leads to Babu Rayan Koppal and the temple. It is about
two kms from the main road. A. T. Narasipur Thirumakudalu Narasipur is in Mysore District.
It is about 35 kms from Mysore. It is located at the confluence of Cauvery, Kabini & Spathika Rivers. It is a place of religious importance. It is considered as a sacred place equal to PRAYAG. Sri Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple and Agasthyeshwara Temples are there apart from other temples in the surrounding area.
Sri. Gunja Narasimhaswamy Temple The temple is on the left side of Cauvery River. The temple is about 450 years old and has inscriptions dating from Sri Krishna Devaraya period – Lord Narasimha Swamy with Sri Mahalakshmi Thayar in the sanctum sanctorum has in his Right – Hastha a Gulaganji seed (seed of the Gunja Tree) along with an indicator of a balance. (As narrated by the ARCHAKAR of the temple). It signifies that this Kshetra weighs. More in PUNYA (mahime) by the weight of a Gulaganji than KASHI Kshetra. Hence HE is called Sri Gunja Narasimhaswamy. There are separate
sannidhi’s for, Thayar, Alwars and Acharayas etc.,
The Legend
A washerman was washing clothes daily at the bank of Cauvery River at T. Narasipur. One day Lord Gunja Narasimhaswamy appeared in his dream. HE (God) told him (Washerman) that His idol is beneath the stone on which
he is washing clothes and asked / told him (washerman) to build a temple for HIM. The washerman expressed his inability to build the temple as he is very poor-Lord told him that he could make use of the Nidhi (Gold Coins) which are also beneath the washing stone in a pot (KOPPARIGE). The temple was built. When the washerman expressed his desire to
Lord, that he would go to KASHI / VARANASI on a pilgrimage, Lord told him (Washerman) that construction of temple had earned him more punya by the weight of a Gulaganji than that by visiting KASHI. Thus the word GUNJA came into usage along with the name of God Narasimhaswamy.
Family Name – Yechan Gunja
It is learnt from elders that the family name "Yachan Gunja" has come this way. Sri Ramanujacharya during his stay at MELUKOTE had many number of deciples. One of them was Sri YECHAN. His family descendents are called as YECHAN family vamshasthas. Their family Diety is Lord Gunjanarasimhaswamy at T. Narasimapura. Hence all their family members have "YECHAN GUNJA" as their SURNAME.
The Temple Timings are Daily Morning 9.00 Am to 12.30 Pm and Evening 5.30 Pm to 8.30 Pm.
TEMPLE CONTACT DETAILS:
Sri Sampath Kumar Bhattar - Archakar,
Sri Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple,
T.Narsipur :571124
Mysore District,
Tel: V Narayana Iyengar - Parapethagar +91 08227 - 260509.
Sri Sampath Kumar - 0 9448479838
