Savandurga Lakshmi Narasimha temple is located at Savandurga near Ramnagar in Karnataka.
History of the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
The Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple was built
around 220 years ago during the reign of Simanta Maharaja, a
subordinate of Kempegowda. It is believed that the temple was
constructed in the Savandurga forest region after Simanta Raja’s
daughter was relieved from a curse of a Brahma Pishachi (a
malevolent spirit).
For daily worship and rituals at the temple, a devotee named
Kondlaya was initially brought from Harohalli village in Kanakapura
Taluk, Ramanagara district. After his death, the responsibility of
performing the rituals was taken over by his sons, Alasingayya and K.
Narasimhayya.
In 1931, the Brahma Rathotsava (chariot festival)
was held for the first time, and since then, it has been celebrated annually
for about five days during the Vishakha Nakshatra of the Vaishakha
month.
In 1955, the then Honorable Chief Minister Kengal
Hanumanthaiah laid the foundation stone for the temple’s reconstruction.
The temple was rebuilt with significant support from the Huvvadi community.
In 1961, T. Chennayya made the first
arrangement for electric lighting in the temple.
Special Pooja Days
Every Tuesday, the temple performs special rituals
for:
- Kuja
Dosha (Mars affliction)
- Enemy
destruction
- Obstruction
removal
On these days, the deity is decorated with turmeric
and worshipped with milk abhishekam.
Devotees especially visit on:
- Amavasya
(New Moon)
- Purnima
(Full Moon)
- Tuesdays
- Fridays
- Saturdays
- Sundays
and during public holidays.
History of Savandurga Hill
Savanadurga Hill is located 33 km west of
Bangalore, along Magadi Road, at coordinates 12.919654°N,
77.292881°E. It is renowned for the temple atop the hill and is considered
the largest monolithic hill in the world.
- The
hill rises to an elevation of 1,226 meters (4,022 feet) above sea
level.
- It is
part of the Deccan Plateau and consists of Peninsular gneiss,
granites, and laterites.
- Nearby flows the Arkavathi River, passing through the Tippagondanahalli Reservoir and the Manchanabele Dam.
Pilgrimage and Tourism
Savandurga is frequently visited by:
- Pilgrims,
who worship at the Savandi Veerabhadreshwara Swamy Temple and the Narasimha
Swamy Temple located at the base of the hill.
- Tourists
and trekkers, who enjoy the hill’s serene and clean environment.
- Rock
climbers, cave explorers, and adventure seekers.
Etymology and Historical References
Savanadurga consists of two hills:
- Karigudda
(Black Hill)
- Biligudda
(White Hill)
The earliest recorded reference to the name “Savandurga”
appears in 1340 CE, during the reign of Ballala III of the Hoysala
dynasty, where the area was referred to as Savandi.
Another theory suggests the name comes from Sāmantadurga,
named after a feudal lord Sāmantaraya, who was the governor of Magadi
under Achyutaraya. However, there is no written evidence to
confirm this.
- Savanadurga
served as the second capital of the Magadi rulers, similar
to Kempegowda.
- From 1638
to 1728, it came under Mysore’s control, with Dalavayi
Devaraja building a palace and residing there.
- In 1791,
Lord Cornwallis captured the fort during the Third Anglo-Mysore
War from Tipu Sultan’s forces.
In his 1794 work Select Views in Mysore, Robert
Home referred to it as the "Savina Durga" or "Fort of
Death". At that time, there were no stairs leading to the summit, and
the dense bamboo and surrounding forest served as a natural barrier.