YAGNA NARASIMHA TEMPLE

In Puri town, to the western side of Gundicha temple and to the east of the sacred Indradyumna tank there is a temple known as the Yagna Narasimha Temple. Devotees can approach the temple on the right side of the road leading from Gundicha temple towards matiapara sqaure. Local people also called this temple as Nrusingha Temple and Nrusimha Temple. Non-Hindus are not permitted in the temple, but the Deities are visible from the entrance.

The presiding deity is Lord Narasimha. There are two images of Lord Narasimha inside the temple, one behind the other. The image in front is called Santa Narasimha. In local language 'Santa' means 'Calm' or 'Sober'. Anyone who sees this image of Lord Narasimha will have his anger, frustration, and anxiety will vanish. Santa Narasimha's features are human-like. He has a sharp human nose, a large curly mustache, and an outstretched tongue. The Deity in the back is called Ugra Narasimha. In local language 'Ugra' means 'Angry'. He is the internal mood of Narasimha.

Legends

As per the legend, When Kalapahad attacked Puri and was smashing Deities of various temples, he saw Santa Narasimha image and his anger subsided; hence he could not break the Deity as he had planned.

There a story behind the name of the temple as Yagna Narasimha. As depicted in the purana, once King Indradyumna stayed near Nilakantheswar temple to make arrangements to perform Aswamedha Yagna (Horse sacrifice) for one thousand years. On the advice of Sage Narada, King Indradyumna made a Nrusimha image out of black stone and placed the image under black sandal wood tree and worshipped Him. It is believed that in front of this temple the Aswamedha Yagna took place and hence He known as 'Yagna Narasimha'. Devotees will earn more punya if they make a darsana of Sri Nilakantheswar, Yagna Narasimha and Panchamukhi Hanuman (Lord Hanuman image with five faced) after the sacred bath in Indradyumna Tank.

Structure and Architecture

The temple is facing towards west and the height of the temple is about 60 feet. It is a Kalingan order of temple consists of four structures such as the Vimana, Jagamohana, Natamandapa and Bhogamandapa. The Vimana and Jagamohana are square on plan and the Natamandapa and Bhogamandapa are rectangular. The temple is built in both sand stones and laterite stones. The temple is a Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation.

The three sides central niches of the side of Vimana house the images of Varaha, Trivikrama (Vamana) and Vishnu as the Parsvadevatas of the main presiding deity.

The image of four armed Varaha, standing over a lotus pedestal, is the Parsvadevata of the southern side. He holds Chakra in his uplifted back right upper hand while his lower left hand holds a conch above Goddess Prithvi.

The Parsvadevata on the northern side niche is Trivikrama (Vamana). The four handed image of Trivikrama has been installed on the double petalled lotus pedestal. He holds gada in right upper hand, lotus flower in right lower hand, chakra in left upper hand and conch in left lower hand respectively. Figures of Sridevi and Bhudevi are flanked on either side of deity. The right leg of deity is set firmly on the ground and another uplifted left foot touches the image of Brahma. Beneath his uplifted leg is a scene of Bali who is presenting the gift to Vamana while Shukracharya lifts his hands up in dismay.

The image of four armed Vishnu, standing over a lotus pedestal, is the Parsvadevata of the eastern or backside central niche of the main Deity.

The western wall is carved with a miniature rekha angasikhara surmounted by a gajakranta. There are divine figures right above the raha at beki. The doorjambs of the vimana are carved with two vertical bands. In the lalatabimba, there is a Gajalaxmi image seated over a lotus pedestal in lalitasana. At the base of the doorjambs there are two Khakhara mundis on either side, that house the four armed vaisnavite dwarapala holding attributes of lord Vishnu.

Festivals and Rituals

Festivals like Narasimha Janma, Satapuri Amavasya etc are observed in Nrusingha temple with great devotion. During festivals, flower garlands (ajnamalas) are taken from Jagannatha and are kept here. This temple has also connected with the Navakalevara ceremony of Lord Jagannath.