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Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple – Nira Narasingpur – Maharastra
The fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is Narasimha Swami. Most of the temples of this 4th Incarnation Lord Vishnu, are situated in A.P., Telangana and Karnataka with very few in other parts of Northern India. However, there is one very unique and also ancient famous temple with a beautiful natural background of three rivers’ confluence, at Nira-Narasingpur village in Indapur Taluka of Pune district.
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The three rivers are Nira, Bhima and Saraswati which is called here Gupta Ganga. Saraswati originates from the top of Lakshmi temple and is seen as a very small water dripping throughout the year. It joins as an underground stream with other two rivers. Therefore, this place is also known as India’s Dakshin Prayaag just as Nashik is known as Dakshin Kashi.
There are some interesting facts about this temple. Scientists have found this locale to be in the centre of the earth. This fact attracts many visitors to this place. Legend says that Saint Agastya has asked Lord Rama to begin his search for Sita from this place. This is the chosen place of penance for devotees. The “Family God’ of the Vijayanagar Kingdom is Narasimha Swami. Therefore, we see the beautiful idol of Narasimha Swami at Hampi in Karnataka.
A large number of families whose family God is Narasimha Swamy from Maharashtra and neighbouring states come here. The temple is majestic and large inside. It is above the general ground level and one has to climb 33 steps to reach its main West side Entrance. One can see this temple on a small hillock across both rivers. We see here the architecture of the Peshva era.
The three main doors to this temple are towards East, North and West. On the West and East side doors, there are two huge elephants carved in large stone welcoming the people. The temple has a big bell near the west door. In 1739 after Bajirao Peshwa’s younger brother Chimaji Appa captured Vasai from the Portuguese Empire, he took 4 huge bells.
Out of 4 bells one was given to Nashik and it is still known as Narobachi Ghanta. Another was given to Theur and the 3rd one to Jejuri near Pune. The fourth one is in this temple and was brought with efforts by Sadashiv Manakeswar. It appears a goldsmith named Baba Pahilwan lifted this bell with left hand and hooked it with his right hand. It was rung to invite people for aarti in the temple.
The front view of the temple from the West side entrance door is very remarkable. We can see the Nira River flowing, Lakshmi Ghat, Narasimha Tirth and beautiful Sunset across the river from this side.
About Narasimha Swamy Idols
Generally, we believe that there will be only one main idol to worship in any temple. But as an exception here, as two Idols of this deity are seen and it is interesting to know the reason. One idol is believed to be made of sandstone from the river by Prahlad whom Lord Narasimha blessed. The other idol known as ‘Shyamraj’ is made by Brahmadev. It is made from Black Stone but smaller in size. Both idols are in the main Sanctum.
It is said that Prahlad was born here to his mother Sati Kayadhu and made penance near the confluence of rivers. From the sand, he made Narasimha Swamy idol for worship. This idol is sitting on a throne. Its face is towards the west. It is in the sitting posture. The Lord has a lion’s face, broad chest and wide eyes. The chest, face and wrist look like that of a lion and hands and legs are like that of a man. Therefore this God is known as “Nar (Man) Simha (Lion)”.
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Inside Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
On entering the temple’s West Door, one can see a massive stone pillar. On this, there is a scene of Killing Hiranyakashpu by Lord Narasimha. The feeling of anger on his face is spectacular. In the Sanctum there is a bed chamber with two beds. One is for Lord Narasimha and the other for Lord Shyamraj.
There are many small idols installed of various gods and goddesses in their respective small temples. One can see almost all deities here including Saint Raghavendra Swami’s Vrindavan who is from Madhwa Sampradaya and it is believed that he was Bhakt Prahlad’s Avatar.
Daily Rituals and Annual Festivals
This temple opens daily at 5.00 AM with ‘Kakada Aarti’ and Khichidi as Naivedya which is distributed to devotees on completion of Puja. The next Puja is performed at 7.00 AM and is known as Prath-Puja. Both Sri Narasimha and Sri Shyamraj idols have Panchamrit Snaanam. The Puja is performed as per Rigveda and Samveda Suktas. Then Idols are adorned with colourful dresses. Keer (Payasa) is presented as Naivedya. The Mandir is kept open for devotees who daily come to take blessings.
At Noon Madhyaan-Puja is performed with Puran Poli (Horse Gram and Jaggery Holige) as Maha Naivedya and Maha- Aarati is performed. There is a separate Aarati of this God which is performed after Ganesh Aarti. At 7 PM Sayam-Puja and 9 PM, Shejaati are performed. With this ritual, both idols are placed on beds (sayanam).
During 12 Noon and 7 PM, Maha-Aaarti Puja’s hymns are chanted loudly, and Instruments from Nagaarkhana such as Nagaara Noubat, Zanz, Ghati and Ghantas are used. With this sound the whole village people join this ritual to get blessings and naivedya.
Narasimha Jayanti
The main attraction here is ‘’Narasimha Jayanti” which falls every year on Vaishakh Shudha Chaturdashi. However, this festival starts from Vaishakh Sudha Shasti. This 9-day Navaratri festival is celebrated on a larger scale with Processions, Devotional Songs, Lecturers and Naradiya Kirtans.
In the village, the Trustees of this temple arrange competitions of various sports including wrestling which is very famous in Maharashtra. People from various Parts of Maharashtra and also from neighbouring states like A.P., Karnataka and T.N.come to witness this festival.
The other festivals that are celebrated here are Ugadhi, Ramnavami, Hanuman Jayanti, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vijaya Dashami, Deepavali and Mahashivaratri. Most of the devotees who come here take a Holy bath at the Confluence in Nira- Bhima rivers and then go to have the darshan of the main idols.
Mantra
As this temple opens daily at 5 AM devotees who come regularly, find this time which is best time to chant, (known as Brahma Muhurat from 4 AM to 6 AM) pray to this Lord with the following Mantras.
Om Ugram veeram Mahavishnum
Jwalantham Sarvatho mukham
Nrusimham bheeshanam bhadhram
mruthyu mruthyu namaammyaham
I bow down in front of this Ferocious and Brave form of Lord Narasimha, who is Effulgent like Fire, has his face everywhere, the most Auspicious one and the Death to Death itself’.
