Lakshmi Narasima Temple, Hampi

Besides Badavilinga temple is situated Lakshmi Narasima temple in Hampi. This is the largest statue in Hampi standing at 6.7 meters. Lakshmi Narasima is one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This form is also known as ugra Narasima or angered Narasima. He is seated on the giant coils of Adisesha, the scared guardian snake of Lord Vishnu, its seven hoods acting as a canopy arched by a Kirtimukha.

Narasima literally means half man and half lion. According to Hindu religion Lord Vishnu took the form of Narasima to kill Hiranyakashipu(Prahlad’s father).  Hiranyakashipu had got blessings from Lord Brahma that he could not be killed by a human nor any animal, neither in day nor in night, neither by fire or by water etc. Hiranyakashipu atrocities were very high. Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Once Hiranyakashipu asked his son Prahlad where is your Lord Vishnu. Prahlad answered he is everywhere. On this Hiranyakashipu said is he there in this pillar, Prahlad said yes. Hiranyakashipu broke the pillar to see and from the broken pillar Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasima came out to kill him. Narasima was neither a human nor an animal, that time was evening twilight (neither day nor night).

In the original form the Lakshmi Narasima statue also had a statue of goddess Lakshmi but that might have been destroyed during the attack of Muslim confederacy of the then Deccan which led to the downfall of Vijaynagara empire. However, on close look we can see the hand of Lakshmi embracing Narasima with nails and rings intact on fingers. In the image of Narasima you can see the hands are chopped by the invaders. There might have been a roof earlier but that too is missing now. The Muslim invaders used to destroy temples for vandalism or in the hope of extracting gold or jewels which were typically kept in temples those days.

In between the Lakshmi Narasima and Badavilinga temple there is small channel of water flowing from Tungabhadra river. The water is crystal clear and cool.

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