Devarayanadurga is a hill station near Tumkur in the state of Karnataka in India

DEVARAYANADURGA :

         

       Devarayanadurga is a hill station near Tumkur in the state of  Karnataka in India. The rocky hills are surrounded by dense forest and this beautiful hillock are dotted with several temples including the Yoga Narasimha and Bhoga Narasimha temples and an altitude of 3940 feet. It is also famous for Namada Chilume, a natural spring considered sacred and is also expressed as the origin of the Jayamangali  river.

                                                                                       

HISTORY:

                The place was originally known as “ANEBIDDASARI” then a chief  Jadaka named as Jadakana Durga and finally the place has known as DEVARAYANA DURGA after its capture by Mysore King Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar.

The Temple has been built in the Dravidian Style of architecture, faces east.  It has been constructed by Kanthirava Narasaraja I.  The enclosure and monolith were repaired in 1858 by the Mysore King Krishnaraja Wodeyar III according to the writings.

BHOGA NARASIMHA TEMPLE AND YOGA NARASIMHA TEMPLE:

       

Bhoga Narasimha temple is located at the base of the hill and the Yoga Narasimha temple is resided at the top of the hill.  Free prasada is served everyday in Bhoga Narasimha Swamy temple and there are facilities to halt in devarayana durga by temple authorities.  By vehicle you can reach top of the hill and enough space is available for parking vehicles. You need to climb approximately 75-100 steps to reach Yoga Narasimha Temple.  The premises is very neat and clean.  There is a small pond named as KALYANI THEERTHAM  next to the Yoga Narasimha  temple.  Beside this pond, there is another cave where sacred stream of water flows called “ SREE PADA THEERTHAM”.

JATHRA MAHOSTHAVA  /  RATHOSTHAVA:

                Sri Bhoga Narasimha swamy Jathra/ Jathre is held during phalguna masa shuddha poornima day somewhere in the month of March/April in Devarayanadurga.  On this day the Ratha of Sri Bhoga Narasimha Swamy is drawn in the main Ratha beedhi of the hill.  This festival draws disciples from all over Bangalore, Tumkur and Surrounding region.

NARASIMHA JAYANTHI / BIRTHDAY OF LORD NARASIMHA / CAR FESTIVAL:

                Devarayana Durga Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy’s  Jayanthi, an annual day celebration of swamy takes place during chaithra shudha chathurdashi [ In May Month] at which thousands of disciples gather and build tents to serve Panakam , Buttermilk ,Kosumbari, Phalahara and free food is served  to all devotees coming for the darshan of swamy  Narasimha.

NAMADA CHILUME:

                

Namada Chilume is a natural spring coming out from the surface of the rock.  The story goes that spring was formed when Lord Rama, along with Seetha and Laksmana, was staying here during their Vanavasa. Lord Rama searched for water to apply Tilaka on his forehead.  When he couldn’t find water, he shot an arrow at the rock.  The arrow penetrated the rock, made a hole, and the water came out from the rock.   Hence, this place was called as Namada Chilume meaning “SPRING OF TILAK”.  The water comes from a small hole throughout the year and it never dried up.  The water which comes from the hole as considered as sacred water/ Tirtha.

HOW TO REACH DEVARAYANADURGA:

Ø  Devarayanadurga is around 65 km from Bangalore, by road and 15 km far from tumkur railway station.

Ø  Bangalore -> Nelamangala -> Dabaspet -> Urdigere ->Devarayanadurga

Ø  Bangalore -> Tumkur -> Devarayanadurga

Ø  Bangalore -> Nelamangala -> Kyatasandra -> Devarayanadurga

TIPS:

In Yoganarasimha temple at hill top , sacred water runs in a cave is covered with full of rocks and it is dark.  It is better to carry candles.

There are KSRTC buses plying from Majestic bus station to Madhugiri, Pavagada. Get down in Urdigere take an auto to reach devarayanadurga.  This route is very easy for those who travel by bus.

By 

Pallavi H.S  Blogger