Nrusinghanath Temple stands at the foot of the Gandhamardan hills near Paikmal and Padampur in Bargarh district. It is dedicated to Narasimha, the lion-man form of Vishnu, known locally as Nrusinghanath. The temple is built in Kalinga style and is about 45 feet tall. Nearby are streams and natural sites such as Bhim Dhar and Sita Kunda, and the temple holds a large annual fair on Nrusimha Chaturdashi.
quick facts
- district
Bargarh
- best time to visit
Around Nrusimha Chaturdashi, the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha, usually in May, when the annual fair is held.
- dress code
Ethnic or traditional dress is customary.
know before you go
do
- Plan the visit in daylight
- See the nearby natural sites on foot from the temple
- Carry water and arrange return transport in advance
avoid
- Do not leave litter at the springs or on the hill
- Do not pick plants from the hill
- Do not go to the tunnel and rock sites without local guidance
safety
The temple stands at the foot of a forested hill. Wear sturdy footwear and take care on rock paths, especially in the rainy season.
how to reach
According to Wikipedia the nearest railhead is Khariar Road. The temple is about 35 km west of Padampur, 110 km west of Bargarh and 164 km from Sambalpur. The sources consulted do not name an airport.
address: Nrusinghanath, Paikmal, Gandhamardan hills, Bargarh district, Odisha
history and significance
why it matters
The temple is a major Narasimha shrine of western Odisha, and its fair draws pilgrims from a wide area. Its legend of Narasimha as the cat Marjara Keshari is told in the Odia text Nrusingha Charitra. The surrounding hills hold older Buddhist associations that the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang is said to have described.
history
According to Wikipedia, the temple is attributed to King Baijal Singh Dev of the Patna state and dated to the early 15th century on the evidence of Odia and Devanagari inscriptions. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang is said to have described this country as a centre of Buddhist learning.
A local legend, recorded in the Odia text Nrusingha Charitra, tells how Narasimha, taking the form of the cat Marjara Keshari, defeated the mouse demon Musika Daitya and drove him into a tunnel, where he is said to remain. This is tradition, not documented history. The attribution and date rest on a single encyclopaedic source and should be treated as provisional.
what to see
The temple is a Kalinga deula about 45 feet tall, with two main parts: the sanctum that houses the deity, and a jagamohana (antechamber) with three gates, each supported by four pillars.
A garden near the temple has figures of Krishna's avatars and a tall Hanuman statue.
rituals and festivals
A major annual fair is held on Nrusimha Chaturdashi, the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha, around May. It draws thousands of pilgrims from near and far.
nearby
Distances below are from Wikipedia:
- Chal Dhar, 400 m
- Bhim Dhar, 425 m
- Sita Kunda, 500 m
- Panchupandav, 1.5 km
- Kapil Dhar, 4 km
- Supta Dhar, 7 km
- Harishankar Temple, on the opposite slope of the hills
other temples nearby1
questions visitors ask
Who is worshipped at Nrusinghanath Temple?
The temple is dedicated to Narasimha, the lion-man form of Vishnu, worshipped here as Nrusinghanath.
When is the annual fair?
The fair is held on Nrusimha Chaturdashi, the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha, around May.
What is the legend of the cat and the mouse demon?
The Odia text Nrusingha Charitra tells that Narasimha, as the cat Marjara Keshari, defeated the mouse demon Musika Daitya and drove him into a tunnel. This is local tradition.
