Halasi was once called Palasika plus the Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple at Halasi is one among the best examples of Kadamba style of architecture. The 50 feet tall tower of the inner shrine or garbhagruha could be very comparable to the Madhukeswar temple at Banavasi built by Kadambas.
About Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple :
Halasi was once called Palasika plus the Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple at Halasi is one among the best examples of Kadamba style of architecture. The 50 feet tall tower of the inner shrine or garbhagruha could be very comparable to the Madhukeswar temple at Banavasi built by Kadambas. As per historians, the temple was constructed in the Kadamba time or 5th century AD, also inscriptions within the temple too support this.
As per the legend linked to this holy place, Pandavas constructed this temple in a single day during their exile and prayed Lord Vishnu at Halasi.
As per the temple priest, the two feet tall image of Lord Narasimha, towards left side of Vishnu, has appeared by itself (swayambhu or udbhava) and nobody has sculpted.
Inside the Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple, Halasi
You will find two garbhagruhas in front of each other. In the right one, you can see four feet idol of Lord Shri Vishnu in the sitting position. The images of Lord Suryanarayana and Goddess Mahalaxmi are found behind the main idol.
The garbhagruha in the left side has the idol of Bhoo Varaha Swamy. In 1186-87, a 5 feet standing idol of Varaha was installed by Vijayaditya III. You can see the Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu carries Mother Earth (or Bhoodevi) in his mouth. The fantastically carved lotus in the ceiling goes to confirm of the fact that Kadambas patronised as well as developed their unique art form.
The Archeological Survey of India is taking care of this ancient monuments at Halasi.
Attractions Of Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple In Karnataka :
Halasi was once called Palasika plus the Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple at Halasi is one among the best examples of Kadamba style of architecture. The 50 feet tall tower of the inner shrine or garbhagruha could be very comparable to the Madhukeswar temple at Banavasi built by Kadambas. As per historians, the temple was constructed in the Kadamba time or 5th century AD, also inscriptions within the temple too support this.
As per the legend linked to this holy place, Pandavas constructed this temple in a single day during their exile and prayed Lord Vishnu at Halasi.
As per the temple priest, the two feet tall image of Lord Narasimha, towards left side of Vishnu, has appeared by itself (swayambhu or udbhava) and nobody has sculpted.
Inside the Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple, Halasi
You will find two garbhagruhas in front of each other. In the right one, you can see four feet idol of Lord Shri Vishnu in the sitting position. The images of Lord Suryanarayana and Goddess Mahalaxmi are found behind the main idol.
The garbhagruha in the left side has the idol of Bhoo Varaha Swamy. In 1186-87, a 5 feet standing idol of Varaha was installed by Vijayaditya III. You can see the Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu carries Mother Earth (or Bhoodevi) in his mouth. The fantastically carved lotus in the ceiling goes to confirm of the fact that Kadambas patronised as well as developed their unique art form.
The Archeological Survey of India is taking care of this ancient monuments at Halasi.
Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple History :
Halasi, originally called Palasika, was part of the Kadamba kingdom and its capital. The Kadamba dynasty was established by Mayura Sharma in the 4th century AD. The Kadamba kings extended patronage to Jainism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. As such, there are temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu, and there were also many Jain Basadis present here. Many of the temples have survived the test of time and are still standing. The Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha temple was built in the 5th century. An inscription inside the temple states that it was built by the Kadamba king Shivachitta.
Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha temple Architecture :
This temple is one of the best examples of the Kadamba architecture. It has two Garbhagrahas. The main sanctum has an idol of Maha Vishnu in a sitting posture. Behind this figure are idols of Suryanarayana, Mahalakshmi and Lord Narasimha. According to legend, the idol of Narasimha was a swayambhu, that is, it was not made by human hands and it just appeared on its own.
The other Garbhagraha has a standing idol of Bhoo Varaha Swami. This idol was installed by Vijayaditya III in 1186-87.The five feet tall idol is depicted carrying Bhoodevi in his mouth. The lotus motif on the ceiling is typical of the Kadamba style of architecture.
Location :
Halasi, a popular heritage site of Karnataka is located at a distance of 14 Km from Khanapur and 25 Km from Kittur in Background of Western Ghats in lush green surroundings. Halasi is also referred as Halsi or Halashi.
Halasi is famous for having been the capital of a branch of Kadamba Dynasty. The Halasi town is rich in historical monuments and temples and is in Khanapur taulk of Belagavi district.
Halasi was the second capital of the Kadambas after Banavasi. The huge Bhoo Varaha Narasimha temple has tall idols of Varaha, Narasimha, Narayana and Surya. Halasi has a fort, and has also ancient temples dedicated to Lord Gokarneshswara, Lord Kapileshwara, Lord Swarneshwara and Lord Hatakeshwara.
How to get to Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha temple :
Belgaum city is the nearest airport and railway station. From Belgaum, it is easy to get buses to Halasi. Halasi is also well connected to other places in Karnataka on the bus route.
Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha temple Facts :
The beautiful Bhoo Varaha idol was installed later after the Narasimha idol
Outside the main temple, there are other shrines for Ganesha, Shiva, and Vittala
There is a beautiful Radha Krishna statue in a separate shrine