Temple History
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple Is Located At A Village Called Doddadaalavatta, Head Of Tumkur District. The Place Is Popularly Known As The 'Village Of Temples'. Doddadaalavatta Lies Close To The Border Of Two States: Karnataka And Andhra Pradesh. The Village Gets Its Name From The Vidyanagara Kingdom. It Succinctly Captures The Influence Of The Vijayanagara Empire, Rich Architectural Heritage, And Cultural Significance Of This Region.
The Doddadaalavatta Village Lies At A Distance Of 20 Km From The Town Of Madhugiri And 8 Km From National Highway 73. This Temple Is Located In The Village Of Doddadaalavatta In Madhugiri Taluk. This Place Is Believed To Have Hosted Many Temples Since The 14th Century.
The Ruling Dynasty Of Doddadaalavatta Was The Nayaka Dynasty. They Strongly Embraced The Vijayanagara Kingdom. The Village And Under The Jurisdiction Of Madhugiri Sime Province. It Was Initially Under Chitradurga Nayakas And Later Under The Mysore Wodeyars. The Temple Complex Contains Several Shrines Dedicated To Lord Narasimha And Other Deities.
According To Legend, The Temple Is Closely Associated With Lord Narasimha, A Fierce Avatar Of Lord Vishnu. The Temple Was Originally Built During The Vijayanagara Period And Has Been Renovated Several Times Over The Centuries. The Current Structure Showcases Beautiful Dravidian Architecture With Intricate Carvings And Sculptures.
Another Legend Informs Us That The Deity Once Resided In A Cave In The Nearby Hills. The Lord Was Later Brought Down To The Present Location Where A Grand Temple Was Constructed In His Honor. The Temple Has Been A Place Of Worship And Pilgrimage For Centuries, Attracting Devotees From All Over South India.
Brahmotsavalu Of Lord Lakshminarasimha Swamy Is Being Held Every Year For Three Days. Starting From Visakha Shuddha Pournami. This Brahmotsava Festival Is Celebrated Very Grandly In The Temple. Apart From This, All Major Hindu Festivals Are Celebrated With Great Devotion.
Shree Dhaali Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple,
Doddadaalavatta, Chikkadaalavatta Post,
Madhugiri Taluk Tumkur District
Karnataka - 572127.
The Temple Is Open From 7:00 AM To 6:00 PM. The Temple Remains Open Everyday During The Festival Season. The Nearest Railway Station Is At Madhugiri.
The name Doddadaalavatta is derived from the Kannada words 'Dodda' meaning 'big' and 'Dala' meaning 'army group' or 'military battalion'. During the Vijayanagara Empire, this village served as a strategic military garrison under the Mahanadu of Madhugiri Rajya, positioned to protect the kingdom's northern borders near the Andhra Pradesh frontier. The settlement grew around this garrison, eventually becoming the thriving village known today.
According to the sacred tradition of this temple, the great sage Dala Maharishi chose this very location for his intense spiritual practices. He performed rigorous tapasya (penance) beneath a great banyan tree, devoted to Lord Vishnu with unwavering concentration.
Pleased by his unwavering devotion over many years, Lord Vishnu manifested at this sacred spot as a Shaligrama Shila — a self-manifested stone form of the divine. This ancient Shaligrama became the original object of worship at this temple. In the year 1982, a sculpted vigraha (idol) of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha was formally consecrated and installed beside the original sacred stone, and both continue to be worshipped to this day.
The temple complex showcases the Dravidian architectural style characteristic of the Vijayanagara period (14th–16th century). Built during the reign of the great King Sri Krishna Devaraya (1510–1530), the temple layout includes multiple prakaras (enclosures), vimana gopuras (tower gateways), a bhoga mantapa (hall for offerings), a ranga mantapa (assembly hall), an antarala (vestibule connecting the hall to the sanctum), and a sukanasi (the nose-like projection over the entrance to the inner sanctum).
The intricate stone carvings and sculptural details found throughout the temple reflect the artistic mastery and spiritual devotion of the Vijayanagara artisans. The temple stands as a testament to the architectural grandeur and spiritual heritage of one of India's greatest empires.
Doddadaalavatta was historically renowned for its red ruby stones, which were found in abundance in this region. The village had extensive trade connections that stretched to the distant cities of Rajasthan, indicating its importance as a gem-trading center during the medieval period.
The village is popularly known as the 'Village of Temples', housing a sacred cluster of seven ancient temples dedicated to various deities:
According to ancient scriptures and local legends, Lord Lakshminarasimha chose the hills as his abode to provide protection and blessings to devotees who sought refuge in the divine presence.
The Skanda Purana describes the temple's origin as being connected to the divine appearance of Lord Narasimha at this sacred location, blessing it for eternal worship.
The Annual Brahmotsavalu is celebrated starting from Visakha Shuddha Pournami every year. Please contact the temple for exact dates.
Ancient sages and devotees performed rigorous tapas under a Badri tree at this sacred location, and Lord Narasimha appeared before them.
The Presidential Search Advisory Committee provides institutional knowledge and perspectives to support the temple administration.