In the Indapur Taluka of the Pune district in Maharashtra (India), near the banks of the revered Nira river, is Nira Narsingpur, the residence of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.
The holy Bhima River is readily visible from one side of the temple, despite it not being on its banks. The presence of the Nira-Bhima Sangam, or confluence, next to the temple indicates that it is in close proximity to the longer and wider Bhima River.
In a south-easterly direction, Nira Narsingpur is the last hamlet in the Pune district. Devotees who travel to Nira Narsingpur for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy’s darshan find the two holy rivers there as well as the picturesque flora to be very appealing.
It gives them more drive and concentration to think about the Lord. You wouldn’t get bored if you spent the entire day sitting and taking in this area’s captivating beauty.
Many families in Maharashtra worship Sri Nira Narasimha as their family deity. Furthermore, this Deity was also the Vijayanagar dynasty’s family Deity. On his route to Pandharpur, Swami Samarth Ramdas made two trips to Nira Narsingpur to worship there.
Madhwa-sampradaya is the form of worship practiced in the temple. As a result, this is where the Sri Raghavendra Swami shrine was erected by the Uttaradi Mutt. Here formerly lived Srila Vyasadeva.
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History of Nira Narsingpur Shri Laxmi Narasimha Temple
Nira-Narasinhpur is significant from a scientific perspective. Nira-Narsinhpur is regarded as the Earth’s center by scientists who have examined this region. There are numerous scientific arguments in support of this geographic fact, which has drawn numerous tourists to Nira-Narsinhpur.
There are a lot of indications that this sacred location has a very old past. In ancient times, it was also a highly well-known holy site. We have proof that after destroying Ravana in the past, Lord Ramchandra began his holy yatras. He chose to begin the yatra from Nira-Narasinhpur after Muni Aagasti advised him to finish it.
Many Munis and devotees come to this serene and stunning sacred site to perform penance. It is also said that Maharshi Vayas spent some time here. Additionally, it is the family Deity of the famed Vijayanagara Emperor, and they take great care to protect it.
The fact that “Swami Samarth Ramdas” visited Nira-Narsinhpur twice in the year 1553, when he and his followers wanted to travel to Pali from Pandharpur, is also supported by some compelling evidence. To perform their Poojas in Nira-Narasinhpur, they traveled here.
In 1527, the Ghat at the meeting point of the rivers Nira and Bhima was finished. Built by Trimalapal Dhadhji Modhoji, the ghat has an egg-shaped design.
It was finished after a grueling three years. Raghunathrao Vinchurkar finished the renovation of this stunning temple in the year 1787.
A Big Gong Situated In Nira Narsingpur
In Sri Laxmi Narasimha Temple at Nira Narsingpur, The Big Gong is situated at the main temple’s west gate.
A very enormous gong, located behind the Pralhad temple and facing the west door of the Laxmi Narasimha temple, produces a very mellow and beautiful sound inside the temple.
This Gong was first used for prayers at the Rasai church, where it has its roots. Four sizable gongs were produced by the Portuguese for the church in 1721.
These four enormously large Gongs were looted by Peshawa Chimaji Appa, who won the year in 1739. They later transported it to Pune, where Peshwa made the decision to deliver him to numerous shrines. One of them was transported to Nira-Narsinhpur by Sadashiv Mankeshwar and put here.
The temple “rings this Gong on various occasions.” According to legend, the village formerly had a resident with great power by the name of Baba Pahilwan.
It is also believed that Baba Pahilwan used his left hand to pick up this large gong and his right hand to hang it.
Sacred Figures at Nira Narsingpur Temple
In the shrine, Lord Narasimha is represented by two principal Deities. One of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha’s deities was crafted from sand or sand by Bhakta Prahlada, while the other, Shyamraj, was blessed by Lord Brahma. Both Deities have stunning appearances.
It is incredible that Bhakta Prahlada, who was very young at the time, sculpted a magnificent statue of Lord Narasimha from sandstone.
This is a powerful testament to his love. Due to the yearly application of diamond powder on the Deity’s body, it has survived the years unharmed.
Nira Narsingpur Temple’s Architecture
This temple, like the others in the Maharashtra region, has majestic and beautiful architecture. It exemplifies some of the best concepts and design choices made during the Peshwa era.
The outer circular elements of the complex are made of bricks and are erected on fine stone blocks placed one on top of the other.
The temple was first constructed in the 12th century. In 1787 CE, under Maratha’s rule, Sardar Vithal Shivadev Dani restored the current temple building. He worked on the renovation for 20 years in all.
Additionally, seven of those 20 years were used to repair the foundation, which had deteriorated as a result of the river’s flow.
He was motivated to renovate the temple because his family Deity was Amrutswami, his guru. Over the years, additional devotees have renovated or added to various parts of the temple complex.
East, West, and North are the temple’s three entrances. At the temple’s eastern and western entrances, two large elephants greet visitors.
The biggest and most beautiful entry is the Moksha Dwar on the western side. To enter the temple, you must first ascend 33 stairs. The corridor before the Gabhara, or sanctum, is surrounded by numerous elaborately carved pillars.
The Shikhara is four tiers tall and covered in several exquisite carvings. The carvings feature depictions of gods, animals, and riders. The colors on the Shikhara and the rest of the top of the temple add to the temple’s grandeur.
Following yellow as the primary color utilized are various color hues like red, green, orange, etc.