Ugra Narasimha / Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Hampi (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Built by & Information)

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Ugra Narasimha (or Lakshmi Narasimha) Temple is one of the most imposing sculptures found in the ruined Hampi town of Karnataka. It’s dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) and Lord Narasimha (one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu). With over 6 metres in height, the idol here is the largest statue in Hampi. It’s carved out of a single boulder.

Lord Narasimha (meaning half-man, half-lion) is depicted in his terrifying form in this temple. The facial expressions and protruding eyes are why the statue is referred to as Ugra (fierce, in the local language). He sits in a cross-legged, yogic posture on the coil of a huge snake.

This old Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple also had Goddess Lakshmi’s idol sitting on the lap of Narasimha’s statue. However, it was destroyed during the mass destruction of Hampi, making the statue incomplete. Thus, no rituals are carried out in this temple.

Where is Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Hampi?

This powerful Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is on Hampi’s outskirts, to the south of the Hemakuta group of temples. Much of the temple building has been destroyed, with only the partially ruined statue remaining today.

Image Gallery of Ugra Narasimha / Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Hampi

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History of Ugra Narasimha Temple Hampi

This famous Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Karnataka was built in 1528 during the rule of Krishnadevaraya. It’s dedicated to Lord Narasimha and Goddess Lakshmi. The original statue of Ugra Narasimha also had a small figure of Goddess Lakshmi sitting on his lap.

The Mughals vandalised the gigantic statue during their raid on the Vijayanagara Empire. The limbs of Narasimha’s statue were broken, and the figure of Lakshmi was separated from it. Only one hand of the Lakshmi statue is visible today, resting on the back of Narasimha. The damaged statue of Lakshmi can be seen on display at the Archaeological Museum.

The Narasimha statue is said to have originally had four arms, according to Hindu mythology. They held a conch (Shankha), discus (Chakra), mace (Gada), and lotus flower (Padma).

Architecture of Ugra Narasimha Temple

Ugra Narasimha/Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Hampi is a small Hindu temple with a monolithic statue over 6 metres in height. The statue is crafted with great detail out of a single boulder, and it’s one of the finest examples of the Vijayanagara style of architecture.

The temple doesn’t have a grandiose gopuram or ornate tall pillars typically seen in Hampi. It consists of four walls and an open main door. The temple’s roof has also disappeared over time, leaving the statue open to the sky. It has led to weathering and damage to the sculpture.

Things to do at Ugra Narasimha / Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

1. Admiring Lakshmi Narasimha statue – The impressive 6.7-metre-tall statue at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Hampi features bulged cheeks, ferocious teeth and protruding eyes. Its crown itself is 1.5-2 feet tall, and above it is the arched seven-headed serpent, Adishesha, serving as a canopy. Lord Narasimha sits cross-legged on the coiled Adishesha.

A part of Goddess Lakshmi’s hand is also visible, resting on the back of the statue. It still has intricate details like nails and rings that are perfectly visible. Thus, despite its partial damage, you might be able to imagine the beauty of the complete statue in its original form.

2. Learning about the temple’s history – The statue in Ugra Narasimha Temple Hampi is known to be the biggest monolith statue in the region. It was constructed in 1528, during the reign of the Vijayanagara ruler Krishnadevaraya. Hire a guide and you can hear more stories about this statue, the temple and other places in Hampi.

3. Exploring other places nearby – Hampi has several other religious attractions apart from Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. The Badavi Linga Temple is the nearest, situated at a walking distance from this shrine. It’s a small Shiva temple with a 3-metre-tall Shivalinga. The most interesting attraction in this temple is that the Shivalinga is always surrounded by water.

Sri Ugra Narasimha Swamy Temple Timings and Entry Fees

Ugra Narasimha / Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Hampi is open every day from 6 AM to 6 PM. It takes only around 30 minutes to explore the area surrounding the statue. The best time to see the statue is during the winter months (November to February). During these months, the weather in Hampi is the most comfortable for exploration.

No entry fee is required to visit the temple.

How to reach Ugra Narasimha Temple in Hampi?

Ugra Narasimha Swamy Temple is on the outskirts of Hampi, about a km away from the bus stop. Hospet Junction (13 km) and Jindal Vijaynagar Airport (34 km) are the nearest railway stations and airports, respectively. The international airport closest to Sri Ugra Narasimha / Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Hampi is in Bengaluru (360 km away).

Now, here’s how to reach the temple –

By bike – You can conveniently find bikes and scooters for hire from Hampi Bazaar. Rent one out for a day and explore this temple and other nearby tourist places.

By auto/e-rickshaw – Auto-rickshaws are also a convenient way to visit Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Hampi. You can get one at any place in the town.

By cab/taxi – The most comfortable option for visiting the temple is to hire a taxi or a full-day cab. You can book them easily from the top car rental companies in Hampi. With a cab at your disposal, you can conveniently explore the temple premises and surrounding areas at your own pace. They also make it easy to check out all tourist spots in Hampi.

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Location Map for Ugra Narasimha / Lakshmi Narasimha Temple Hampi