Shri Lakshmi Narsingh Temple Mehkar, Mehkar, Buldana

Situated on the banks of the Painganga river in the Buldana district of the sacred land of Vidarbha, the region of Mehkar is sanctified by the divine touch of the feet of Lord Ramachandra and the Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu. The Laxminarasimha Temple here is considered an ancient and spiritually vibrant Shakthipeetha of Vidarbha as well as the entire state of Maharashtra. The greatest uniqueness of this temple lies in the form of the deity, which is both benevolent (Varada) and gentle (Saumya). Narasimha, who is otherwise seen in a fierce form, is enshrined here in a somewhat peaceful posture along with devotee Prahlad and Mother Lakshmi. The idol of Laxminarasimha here is regarded as an exquisite specimen of sculpture from the pre-Vakataka era (fourth century CE).

According to mythological legends, Lord Vishnu took the Narasimha avatar at Multan, which is currently in Pakistan. After slaying Hiranyakashipu at Multan, Lord Narasimha travelled via Joshimath (Uttarakhand), Varanasi, Narsinghpur (on the banks of the Narmada, Madhya Pradesh), and Ramtek (Maharashtra) to reach Mehkar. Upon arriving here, He calmed down. Searching for Him, Goddess Lakshmi, devotee Prahlada, and others arrived here. Narasimha and Goddess Lakshmi partook of the meal offered by devotee Prahlada here. There are eleven awakened abodes of Lord Narasimha across the country. This includes the Narasimha temples in Kole Narasimhapur (Sangli), Nira Narasimhapur (Pune), and Mehkar in Maharashtra. It is said that this sacred site in Mehkar is mentioned in the Skanda Purana, and its description aligns with that in the eleventh chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

In Shake 1491 (1569 CE), Lord Narasimha appeared in a divine vision to a devotee named Shamraj Pitale from Nagpur. Following this vision, Pitale searched in Mehkar and discovered an idol of Narasimha inside an underground cave-shrine (bhooyar). This underground cave-shrine in the Mali Peth area of Mehkar remains intact in its original condition to this day. The architecture of this cave-shrine appears to be in the Hemadpanti style. Its foundation, walls, and roof are monolithically constructed using massive stone slabs, protecting the structure from adverse external weather conditions. Narrow steps lead down into this underground cave-shrine, which is situated 3.7 meters below the ground level. At the end of the steps, entering through a narrow doorway leads to a room. Entering through a lattice window (jharokha) on the southern side of this room leads to another chamber. Here, there is a flat stone altar measuring one cubit in height and two cubits in width. It is recorded in the ‘Central Provinces and Berar District Gazetteer – Akola District, Volume A’ (1910) that the idol of Narasimha was found upon the throne situated here.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

After the idol was discovered, Shamraj Pitale lived in this underground chamber for many years, performing worship and rituals. On the day of Vaishakh Shuddha Shashthi in the year 1581, the idol was formally consecrated in a room inside the Pitale mansion in Mehkar village. The idol was worshipped at this place for about two hundred years. Before the idol of Sharangadhara was found at Mehkar in the year 1888, that is, from 1569 to 1888, Lord Narasimha Himself was the presiding deity (Gramadaivat) of Mehkar. Later, Sant Balabhau Maharaj Pitale, also known as Shwasanand, was born in the lineage of Shamrao Pitale. He sowed the seeds of the Varkari Sampradaya in Vidarbha. He attained Sanjeevan Samadhi at Kashi. The thirteenth generation of Shamrao Pitale’s family serves here. Currently, the fourth successor of Sant Balabhau Maharaj Pitale, Adv. Ranganath Maharaj Pitale, is the present Guru Peethadhish here.

This mansion-like temple has a tin-sheet roof over its assembly hall (*sabhamandapa*). In the sanctum sanctorum (*garbhagriha*), the idol of Lord Narsimha is enshrined within a stone alcove (*makhar*) on a high platform. There are various opinions regarding the period of this idol. Some believe that this idol belongs to the Vakataka era, while another school of thought suggests it belongs to the Chalukya period. Carved from black Gandaki stone, this idol is in a semi-rearing posture. Measuring one point three seven meters in height and zero point seven six meters in width, the idol’s left leg is bent at the knee. The idol’s right leg rests on its thigh, and Hiranyakashipu is on the lap. Hiranyakashipu’s head is on the left thigh; his left leg is on the right thigh and his right leg is pinned under Narsimha’s knee. The nails of the idol’s lower two hands are plunged into Hiranyakashipu’s abdomen. The upper right hand holds the Sudarshana Chakra, while one of the middle hands near the ear is in the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of blessing). The third hand holds a sword, with the hilt of the sword pressed against Hiranyakashipu’s thigh. The upper left hand holds the Dakshinavarti Shankha (clockwise conch shell), and the middle hand holds a lotus bud near the ear. The third hand holds the Gada (mace). Since the handle of the mace is at the bottom, it is pressed against Hiranyakashipu’s right cheek. Rings are worn on the index, ring, and little fingers of all eight hands. The idol wears bangles on the wrists, triangular armlets on the upper arms, and a gem necklace around the neck. The ears resemble those of a lion, and the neck is slightly tilted to the left. The jaw is strained. On the head of the idol is a Gopura-shaped crown. At the feet of the idol are the figures of Jaya and Vijaya in the Siddhasana posture. Behind the figure of Jaya is a standing figure of Prahlada. The lines on the hands of the idol are also clearly depicted.

From the perspective of iconography, the carving on this idol is extremely distinctive. The carvings of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu (Dashavatara) are found on this idol. These include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Vamana, Rama, Parashurama, Buddha, Krishna, and the future Kalki avatar. Notably, Gautama Buddha is included here in the form of the ninth avatar. This is considered tangible sculptural evidence that the process of granting the status of an Avatar to Buddha within Vaishnavism had begun by the fourth century. On the right side of the shrine where this idol is seated, there is an idol of Lord Krishna carved in Gandaki stone. Since this temple was originally the private shrine of the Pitale family, the temple does not have a shikhara.

In one of the rooms of this mansion-like temple, there is a Shivling and Nandi. To mark the completion of seventy-five years of age by the temple’s current Gurupithadhish, Adv. Ranganath Maharaj Pitale, he was felicitated with a letter of appreciation by Jagadguru Shankaracharya on twenty-second November two thousand eighteen. A plaque displaying the photograph and letter of appreciation from that occasion is placed in a spot within the temple. Close to the temple is the birthplace of Saint Balabhau Maharaj Pitale. It is said that Saint Balabhau Maharaj Pitale once turned water into ghee for a stalled yagna. That yagna site is within the temple premises. Nearby is the Dnyanmandir Math, a structure of the Gurupith built with public participation. His original padukas and veena are kept in this structure.

Devotees from various parts of the country visit here for Darshan. Since Lord Nrisimha calmed down here and accepted food from the hands of His devotee Prahlada, the tradition of Annadana (food donation) holds great significance at this place. Because Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Nrisimha met right here, this temple is known as the ‘Lakshminrisimha Temple’. Worship has been conducted here according to ancient traditions. The recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra holds special importance in this temple. The Nrisimha Utsav is celebrated three times a year in this temple. Among them, a three-day festival is celebrated twice—on the third Saturday of the month of Shravana and during Diwali—while the Navratra Jayanti Mahotsav is held from Vaishakha Shukla Shashthi to Chaturdashi. During the Vaishakhi Mahotsav, daily Trikala Puja, Abhishek, and Vishnu Sahasranama chanting continue for nine days. Every night, according to the day of the week, the idol of Lord Nrisimha is adorned with garments and ornaments, and a specific attire is draped. During Navratri, community worship takes place throughout the day with scriptural readings, followed by Haripath, Panchpadi in the evening, and Kirtan at night. The celebration of Nrisimha Jayanti is observed here in a thrilling and dramatic manner. On this day, the idol is bedecked with jewels. In the evening, Kirtan begins in the temple. While the description of Lord Nrisimha emerging from the pillar is being narrated during the Kirtan, a curtain tied in the temple is drawn aside. At that moment, the idol gradually becomes visible through smoke and darkness. Conches are blown at that time. Many devotees are present to witness this ceremony, which gives the divine experience of Lord Nrisimha physically manifesting.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.