Devarayanadurga is a hill station near Tumkur in the state of Karnataka in India. The rocky hills are surrounded by forest and the hilltops are dotted with several temples including the Yoganarasimha and the Bhoganarasimha temples and an altitude of 3940 feet.
About Devarayanadurga :
Devarayanadurga is a hill station near Tumkur in Karnataka. The hilltops are dotted with several temples including the Yoganarasimha and the Bhoganarasimha temples and an altitude of 3940 feet. It is also famous for Namada Chilume, a natural spring considered sacred and is also considered the origin of the Jayamangali Theertha river. Another famous temple in the area is the Mahalakshmi Temple at Goravanahalli.
Devarayana Durga is a fortified hill, about nine miles east of Tumkur town. It consists of three elevations and seven gates leading to the top. On the lowest elevation situated is the Lakshmi-Narasimha Swamy Temple. Near by is a spring know as Ane-done. On the slope of the hill is a pond said to the source of stream Mangali. Higher up is another small spring named Jaya-tirtha representing the source of another stream Jaya. Both the streams unite at Irukasandra at the foot of the hill and form the Jayamangali. The hills are also the source of the river Shimsha.
On the middle elevation are the Govt travellers Bungalow and few other places of rest. There are also two other springs known as Rama-tirtha and Dhanus-tirtha. There is a large cave nearby with figures of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana.
Attractions Of Devarayanadurga In Karnataka :
Devarayanadurga is located about 65 kilometers from Bangalore on Tumkur road in the state of Karnataka in India. Devarayanadurga is a hill station located at a height of 3940 feet above sea level. Devarayanadurga in Karnataka is well-connected to other parts of the state by a network of well built roads. The hill station is encircled by forests and doted with numerous temples.
Devarayanadurga is a picturesque town with three elevations and seven gates that will lead you to the top of the hill. Devarayanadurga in Karnataka has a number of springs namely Dhanus-tirtha, Ane-done, Rama-tirtha, Mangali and Jaya-tirtha. The famous Lakshmi-Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated in the lower elevation of the hill station Devarayanadurga. Other famous temples of Devarayanadurga at Karnataka are as follows:
- Yoganarasimha Temple
- Bhoganarasimha temples
- Mahalakshmi TempleThe rocky hill town of Devarayanadurga at Karnataka is also renowned for the beautiful natural spring, Namada Chilume. The holy spring of Devarayanadurga is considered to be very sacred which gives birth to the Jayamangali river.The sacred hill town of Devarayanadurga of Karnataka is also famous for the ‘Sri Bhoga Narasimhaswamy jathra’ or the car festival.This is an annual festival held during full moon day of ‘Phalguna’ (mid February to mid March). During this festival in Devarayanadurga, devotees from the region of Bangalore and Tumkur come and participate.Another major festival of Devarayanadurga of Karnataka is Narasimha jayanthi of Lord Lakshminarasimhaswamy. Numerous ‘pendals’ are built and thousands of people gather her to pay homage to Lord Lakshminarasimhaswamy.
Devarayanadurga Overview :
Devarayanadurga is a place in Tumkur district which is famous for its temples dedicated to Lord Narasimha. The place is a favorite with both pilgrims as well as mountain climbers. The hills with lush green trees on all sides make the climbing a lot enjoyable. On the hilltop are perched two popular Devarayanadurga Temples, the Yoganarasimha and the Bhoganarasimha Temples. These temples are visited by pilgrims all through the year. The Bhoganarasimha is at the base of the hill while the Yoga Narasimha is perched at the top of the hill.
This place offers splendid view of the places around and it is quite a wonderful experience to be able to stand there with the wind blowing in your face.
Devarayanadurga History :
The place was originally known as Anebiddasari then as Jadakana Durga after a chief named Jadaka and finally as Devarayanadurga after its capture by Mysore king Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar.
Legend has it that a robber chief named Andhaka or Lingaka had his stronghold here, and he was subdued by Sumati, a prince, whose father, Hemachandra, was the king of Karnata and ruled from Yadupattana. After accomplishing the task, Sumathi is said to have established the city of Bhumandana near the present Nelamangala and taken up residence there for the protection of that part of his father’s kingdom.
Under the Hoysalas, there seems to have been, on the hill, a town called Anebiddasari or the cliff from where the elephant fell. An elephant, which the sthala purana describes as a Gandharva suddenly appeared before the town to the great dismay of the people and after doing considerable damage, tried to walk up the steep rock on the west; it slipped, fell back and was killed.
Under the Vijayanagara Kings, the use of the same name continued, and a large tank called Bukkasamudra, was formed from which the river Jayamangali has its source. Remains of the embankment and of the adjacent town can still be traced.
Devarayanadurga Architecture :
The temple is said to be around 2000 years old. This temple’s architecture is in Dravidian style, faces east, constructed by Kanthirava Narasaraja I. The architecture is an example of Chola rulers’ patronage for art.
Devarayanadurga Mythology :
- Legend is that God Brahma Deva performed great penance to please lord Vishnu for thousands of years and lord Vishnu pleased revealed himself in the form of Yoga Narasimha Swamy, a variation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.
- Also this place is also famous as Karigiri. Legend associated with this name tells that sage Bhirgu cursed Gandharva brothers, Devadatta and Dhanunjaya to take shape of a mountain and one as an elephant. Kari – Means elephant in local language and Giri – means mountain, so the name Karigiri. Also according to another popular legend this place is also known as Kusumadri. It is said that gods showered flowers on Sri Maha Vishnu when he killed a demon named Pundarika, thus the name Kusumadri.
- The temple of Yoga Narasimha Swamy has a sacred pond named by Kalyani Theertham. It is believed that a sacred stream of water runs through the idol and one can experience this at the “Sri Padha Theertha” entrance.
- Legend has it that the devotees of Hindu temples used to perform the ritual of circling the hills on which the temples were situated. As an effort to revive the practice, a large number of devotees perform the Giri-Pradakshina, organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).