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The Lakshmi Narasimha statue, a must visit in a 3 days Hampi itinerary, found in the ruins of Hampi is one of the most beautiful sculptures you will come across in Hampi. Continue reading this Hampi travel guide to know more about the details of this historical site.
Status of Ugra Narsimha is a must on every Hampi itinerary of 1 day. The 6.70 metres tall statue of Ugra Narshimha, an incarnation of Vishnu, is unlike any idol you have seen so far. The statute Lord Narshimha sitting cross legged atop Seshanaga, the snake. Particularly notable are the angry expressions of the statute with eyes popping out of the socket.
This Imposing sculpture was built in 15th century under the reign of the famous Krishnadevaraya. The sculpture is actually Laxmi Narasimha but unfortunately the statue of Laxmi was completely destroyed during the Mogul invasion of Hampi.
Lord Narasimha is the shrine’s presiding deity, a Lord Vishnu’s avatar. Apart from him, Goddess Lakshmi is also worshipped here. Hence the name, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.
This massive stone monument is one of Hampi’s most well-known landmarks. Every year, tourists from all over the world come to visit this attraction.
The famous statue has a long and illustrious history. According to historical records the statue and the temple in which it is housed were both constructed in 1528.
It was Krishnadevaraya, one of the most powerful kings of Vijayanagara, who ordered its construction.
When the Mughal invasion of 1565 A.D. brought the Vijayanagara to its knees, the colossal structure was severely damaged.
Despite its massive size, the figure was painstakingly crafted by skilled artisans. This 6.7 meters high is one of the finest examples of Vijayanagara architecture.
The statue is characterized by a prominent mane and a well crafted chest. With his legs crossed in front of him, Narasimha is wearing a stunning headdress.
The figures in this sculpture depict Narasimha and Adishesha, who is the serpent-king and has seven hooded heads, as well as other mythological figures.
During the Mughal invasion, limbs of the figure were completely destroyed. Both Lakshmi and Narasimha’s bodies appeared to be separated from one another.
Despite the fact that Lakshmi ji’s hand was broken, you can still see Lord Narasimha still holding it.
Goddess Lakshmi’s statue is currently housed in Kamalapura’s Archaeological Museum, a place open to public.
The Statue of Lakshmanarayan is a rare example of Hindu art and architecture that is not to be missed.
One of the most distinguishing feature are the protruding eyes of Lord Narasimha. The statue’s large spherical eyes are one-of-a-kind and distinguish it from others.
It’s hard to believe that a single granite rock could have produced such a massive work of art. The sculpture showcases the artistry of the time period in which it was created.
The mythology that surrounds Hampi’s Lakshmi Narasimha Statue is quite interesting as well.
Vishnu’s fourth incarnation, Narasimha, is said to have manifested on Earth as a half-lion, half-man. A lion’s face and claws, as well as the upper and lower bodies of a human, are said to be part of his appearance.
Here two schools of thought are to be considered. It is speculated that the statue depicts Lord Vishnu as the Ugra Narasimha. This is because of the bulging eyes and enraged expression on the statue’s face.
According to another theory, the statue depicts the Malola Narasimha, a representation of Narasimha and Goddess Lakshmi as a husband and wife.
Despite the different interpretations, it remains true that the statue of Narasimha will always be revered by its visitors.
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