Pokharni is located about 18 kilometers from Parbhani. Pokharni Sri Narsingh temple is situated on the banks of the Indrayani River in the Godavari Valley, known as Dandkaranya and famous throughout Maharashtra. It is one of the rare temples of Lord Narsimha in the state of Maharastra. The lord’s idol is made of sandstone and is fixed on the base. The 1000 year old temple was built in Hemadpanthi architectural style.
The presiding deity is Sri Narasimhadeva with Laxmi Devi. Although the enclosure of the temple is rather large, the sanctuary of the Deities (gabhara) is very small: a room of 3 feet by 4 feet. The entrance is also small and the devotees must crouch to see the Lord through a 3-foot high entrance. Just as worshiping Lord Nrsimha Deva in Kali Yuga requires great diligence, getting darshan here in Pokharni is also somewhat difficult.
It was built by a king whose daughter was cured of blindness. Although the king wanted to move the deity Nrsimhadeva residing in the village of Bhaktagan to the new temple, the villagers refused. Instead, the beautiful two-armed deity, with chakra and conch, settled in Pokharni
Pokharni Shri Narsimha Temple Timings:
Morning: 4:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM to 9:45 PM
Pokharni Shri Narsimha Temple History:
In Tretayugam, there lived a sage by the name of Yadarishi, son of the great sage Rishyasrunga and Santa Devi who did penance inside a cave with the blessings of Anjaneya (Hanuman) on this hill between Bhongir (Bhuvanagiri) and Raigiri (Now in Parbhani district of Maharashtra, India). Pleased with his deep devotion, Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu appeared before him in five different forms as Sri Jwala Narasimha ,Sri Yogananda, Sri Gandabherunda, Sri Ugra and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. All these five forms (roopas) are presently worshipped within the temple. They later manifested themselves into finely sculpted forms that later came to be worshiped as Pancha Narasimha Kshetram.
There are Purana and traditional accounts of this Temple, which are widely popular among the devotees. There is mention about the origin of this temple in the Skanda Purana, one of the famous 18 puranas. Glowing bright atop the sikharam of garbha griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) of this cave temple is the golden Sudarshana Chakra (about 3 ft x 3 ft) of Lord Vishnu (whose reincarnation is Lord Narasimha), the adornment as well as the weapon is a symbol this temple is identified by from as far away as 6 km. It is said that many years ago the chakra moved in the direction from which the devotees came as if like a compass guiding them towards the temple.The Chakra Considered to posses mystic power and value, at times turns on its own ; no human hand is capable of turning it.
Another Legend also has it that Sriman Narayana, pleased with Yada’s penance, sent Sri Anjaneya to direct the rishi to a holy spot, where the Lord appeared to him in the form of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. This spot is marked by a temple located at the foot of the Yadagiri hillock, and is located about 5 km from the present temple. There the sage worshiped the Lord for many years.
After Yadarishi attained moksha, a number of tribals, hearing of the Lord’s presence, came to worship Him at this temple. But, not being very learned, these devotees began to engage in improper worship. Because of this, Shri Narsimha moved into to the hills. The tribals searched for many years to find their Lord, to no avail.
After many years had passed, the Lord appeared in the dream of a devout lady among the tribe, directing her to a large cavern wherein He revealed Himself to all as five majestic Avatars.
The Aradhanam and Puja in this temple are performed according to Pancharatra Agamam. The puja vidhanam (Puja procedure) was set by Late Sri Vangeepuram Narasimhacharyulu who composed Yadagiri Suprabhatam, Prapatti, Stotram, Mangalashasanam and served as Sthanacharya of this temple.
Pokharni Shri Narsimha Temple Festivals:
Bramhostavams for 11 days
Sri Swamy vari Jayanthi
Swathi Nakshatram
Sri Swamy Vari Pavithrotsavams
Sri Swamy Vari Adhyayanotsavams
Dhanurmasams
Annakutothsavam
Ramanuja Thirunakshathram.
Nammalvar Thirunakshathram
Manavala Mahammavari Thirunakshatram
Thirumanjari alwar Thirunakshatram
Thiruppavari alwar Thirunakshatram
Andal Thirunakshatram
Sri Krishna Janmastami
Margali Masam
Sri Rama Navami
Maha Shiva Rathri
Devi Navarathrulu
Hanumath Jayanthi
Pokharni Sri Narsimha Temple Schemes:
- The Devasthanam introduced plans for the performance of the following poojas with their names and Donor’s Gothrams Once a year, at their option, using only the amount of interest.
Sri Swamy Vari Saswatha Brahmothsavam - Sri Swamy Vari Saswatha Kalyanam
- Sri Swamy Vari Saswatha Sahasranama Archana
- Sri Andal Ammavari Saswatha Nijabhishekam
- Sri Swamy Vari Saswatha Nijabhishekam
- Sri Swamy Vari Nitya Prasada Vitharana
- Sri Anjaneya Swamy Aku Pooja
- Sri Swamy Vari Nitya Nijahishekam
- Sri Swamy Vari Saswatha Nitya SahasranamaArchana
- Sri Andal Ammavari Saswatha Nitya Archana
- Sri Andal Ammavari Saswatha Nijabhishekam
- Sri Anjaneya Swamy Vari Shaswatha Archana
- Sri Swamy Vari Annadhanam
Pokharni Shri Narsimha Temple Sub Temples:
Pushkarini Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple(uphills)
Sri Ramalingeshwara swamy temple (uphills at entrance of east side)
Sri Ramalayam. (uphills)
How to Reach Pokharni Shri Narsimha Temple:
By Air:
Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport Nanded is the Nearest Airport and is 90.8 km away from Pokharni Shri Narsimha Temple.
By Train:
Pokharni is the railway station on the Parbhani-Parli Railway route. You can also get to Pokharni from Parbhani. Parbhani is well connected to Nanded and Aurangabad on the south central railways.
By Road:
Pokharni is 21.3 km away from Parbhani on Parbhani – Latur highway via Gangakhed.
Pokharni Sri Narsimha Temple Address:
District Parbhani,
Pokharni,
Maharashtra – 431521.
Phone: 02452 267 012