Saligrama Guru Narasimha Swamy Temple is one of the important pilgrim centers in Udupi, Karnataka. Saligrama is a small town located 23 km north of Udupi on the national Highway 17. The main attraction of Saligrama is the temple of Lord Guru Narasimha Swamy. It is believed that the idol of the deity is very old and belongs to the 8th century AD and is carved out of Saligrama rock. The Narasimha idol is facing west and the right hand holding chakra and the left hand holding shanka and Prabhavali at the back.
According to the “Sahyadri Khanda” of the Skanda Purana, the idol of Lord Guru Narasimha at Saligrama has been installed by Narada Maharshi. Sri Anjaneya Swamy, Sri Maha Ganapathi, Goddess Durga Parameshwari and Sri Naga Devaru are the other deities in Saligrama Shree Guru Narasimha Temple.
Udupi Guru Narasimha Temple Timings:
Morning: 5.30 am to 1.00 pm
Evening: 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Udupi Guru Narasimha Swamy Maha Mangala Harathi:
6.30 am – Morning
12.00 Noon – After Noon
7.00 pm – Evening
Saligrama Gurunarasimha Temple Poojas:
- Brahmarathothsava
- Big RangaPooja
- Small Rangapooja with Belli Rathothsava
- Samhithabhisheka (Wthout Santharpane)
- Harivan Naivedhya
- Pavamana Abhisheka
- Panchamrutha Abhisheka
- Sashasranama Parayana
- Kshirabhisheka (Milk)
- Haluparamanna
- Saturday Phalarpane
- Moodu Ganapathi
- Sone Arathi
- Nandadeepa (For one Month)
- Flower Pooja
- Thulabara
- Vehicle Pooja
- Upanishath Abhisheka
- Rudrabhisheka
- Ashtotharanamarchane
- Curd Rice – Offering
- Chitranna – Offering
- Panaka Seva
- Panchakajjaya
- Mangalarathi
- Nithyaveda Parayana
- Narasimha Homa (108)
- Narasimha Homa (1008)
- Sarva Save
- Hayagreeva Naivedya
- Sathyanarayana Pooja
- Samaradhanae (7 People)
- Nithya Pooje
- Hannukai Seve
- Laddu Prasada
- Panchakajjaya
- RangaPooje (Gram)
- Rangapooja (Till)
- Rangapooja (Puffed Rice)
- Rangapooja (Sugar)
- Sundarakanda Parayana
- Chandrabenne Arpane
- Poornalankara Chandrabeene
- Rangapooia Big Arathi
- Vade Save
- Appa Seve
- Vayusthuti Parayar
- Appa Prasada
- Rangapooja
- Navakapradana Kalasha 1 (every hunnime)
- Sundarakanda ParayanaKanike
- 6 CoconutGana Homa
- Sankasta Chowthi Ganahoma (1 Coconut)
- Naivedhya Sahitha Panchamrutha Abhisheka
- Chandika Parayana
- Kumkumarchana
- Lakshminarayana Hrudaya Parayana
- Pavamana Kalshabisheka (Every Amavasya. Padya. Sharusti)
Saligrama Gurunarasimha Temple Mahatma:
Pushkara Khanda chapter of Padma purana has details of this temple. Suta Puranika narrated this mahatme at the request of Muni Pungavas.
The landmass given by Samudra Raja at the request of Parashurama ranging from the current Gokarna on the North to Kanyakumari on the south is called Parashurama Kshetra.
This place has many important Thirta Kshetras and Thirta Sarovaras. Narada Muni visited the place between the Seetha river and Kumbha Kashi kshetra where many Koota Muni Pungavas were meditating, after taking a holy dip in different theerta sarovaras and meditating at thirta kshetras.
During this time an unexpected event happened at this place. Earth shook and there was a thunderous sound. All animals were scared and birds circled the sky. There were heavy winds and the frightened Munis came to Narada and requested protection. Suddenly they heard a Divya Vani that preached about Narasimha Vichara.
The Divya Vani informed that an idol of Lord Narasimha, holding Shanka and Chakra in both hands and seated in Yogananda Posture that is worshiped by Brahma and Rudra is situated between Shanka and Chakra thirta in the middle of an Ashwatta (people) tree. This will be installed by Narada Muni. Narada agreed that he had realized the same during his meditation.
They searched and found the statue of Lord Narasimha and prayed to him. Narada then installed the statue of Lord Narasimha in between Shanka and Chakra Theertha. On Narada’s prayer Lord Narasimha appeared and as per his request agreed to be there in the location permanently.
This place in the middle of Koota Kshetra, where Lord Narasimha resides in Saligrama idol is called Saligrama. Devotees will achieve all their desires by worshipping this Saligrama idol. Taking a holy dip in Chakra Theertha rids one of all diseases and fear of the enemy. Holy dip in Shanka Theerta cleanses one from all the sins. One who takes a holy dip in both the theerthas and worships Narasimha will attain prosperity.
According to Skanda Purana Sahyadri Kanda, learned Brahmin families under the leadership of Bhattacharya, came to present-day Saligrama from Ahichatra on the banks of the Godavari river, on the request of King Lokaditya. King Lokaditya wanted to reinstate learned Brahmins in his kingdom for the prosperity of the kingdom. Maha Yagna’s like “Atiratra” were performed by these Brahmins at the request of King Lokadithya. Before starting these yagnas, “to avoid obstacles” these learned, prayed to Lord Ganapathi and obtained blessings.
Bhattacharya was delighted to see elephants and lions living together, a situation which he had already experienced during his meditation and named this place “Nirvairya Sthala” meaning “Enemy less abode”. This is signified by the symbolic representation of elephants in the form of Lord Ganapathi and Lion in the form of Lord Narasimha, even till this date in the Saligrama temple. The idol is facing west and has chakra in the right hand and a conch shell in the left hand.
King Lokaditya allocated 14 villages to Brahmins who accompanied Bhattacharya and requested them to stay there and perform yagas and yajnas. While returning back to Ahichatra, Bhattacharya instructed his disciples staying back, to worship Lord Narasimha as both Guru and Lord.
How to Reach Udupi Guru Narasimha Temple:
By Air:
Mangalore International Airport is the Nearest Airport which is 82 km from Saligrama Temple.
By Rail:
The nearest Railway Stations are Kundapur is 17.5 km and Udupi is 25.5 km from the Temple.
By Road:
Saligrama town lies on NH 17 and it is well connected by a road network. Direct buses are available to Saligrama from Mangalore, Sringeri and Udupi.
Saligrama Guru Narasimha Temple Address:
Saligrama,
Udipi District,
Katnataka – 576255.
SEVA COUNTER PHONE NUMBER – 9483488684
Phone: +91-820-2564544 / 3204544