Location
- Situated in Vignasante Village,
Tiptur Taluk, Tumkur District, Karnataka.
- Protected monument under the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI).
- About 140 km from Bengaluru
and 80 km from Tumkur, easily accessible via NH 75.
History & Legends
- Built in 1286 CE by three
brothers — Appaya, Gopala, and Madhava, generals under King
Narasimha III of the Hoysala Dynasty.
- Inscriptions refer to the village as Igganasante.
- Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in
his forms: Venugopala, Lakshmi Narayana, and Narasimha.
- Represents the mature Hoysala
architectural tradition, built just before the empire faced invasions.
Deities
- Venugopala (Krishna with flute)
– Eastern shrine.
- Lakshmi Narayana (Vishnu with
Lakshmi) – Western shrine.
- Narasimha (man‑lion avatar of Vishnu)
– Southern shrine.
Architecture
- Trikutachala style
with three shrines connected to a navaranga mantapa.
- Mukhamantapa (porch)
with lathe‑turned pillars and parapets.
- Shikhara (tower)
only over the central shrine, crowned with a kalasha.
- Sukhanasi
above the vestibule, richly decorated.
- Outer walls:
Stellate (star‑shaped) design with recesses and projections.
- Ornamentation:
Doorframes, pilasters, ceilings, and parapets profusely carved in the
“silver jewelry genre” style.
Rituals & Festivals
- Daily Puja:
Morning and evening worship of the three deities.
- Vaikunta Ekadashi:
Special rituals and darshan.
- Narasimha Jayanti:
Celebrated with grandeur, honoring Lord Narasimha’s incarnation.
- Annual Brahmotsavam:
Processions, alankarams, and cultural programs.
- Krishna Janmashtami:
Celebrated in the Venugopala shrine with devotional singing and rituals.
Getting Here
- By Road:
Well connected via NH 75. Accessible from Tiptur, Tumkur, Bengaluru, and
Mysuru.
- By Train:
Nearest station – Tiptur Railway Station (17 km).
- By Air:
Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (162 km).
- Local buses and autos available from Tiptur
and Turuvekere.
Tips for Visitors
- Best time to visit: October –
March (pleasant weather).
- Carry water and light snacks;
facilities are limited in the village.
- Respect temple customs: remove
footwear, dress modestly, and maintain silence.
- Photography may be restricted inside
shrines — check with temple authorities.
- Combine your visit with nearby Hoysala
temples in Turuvekere and Hassan for a heritage trail.
Q&A
Q1: What is the Lakshmi
Narasimha Temple at Vignasante?
A:
It is a 13th‑century Hoysala temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his forms —
Venugopala, Lakshmi Narayana, and Narasimha. Built in 1286 CE, it is a
protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
Q2: Who built the temple
and when?
A:
The temple was constructed in 1286 CE by three brothers — Appaya,
Gopala, and Madhava — military generals under King Narasimha III of the
Hoysala Dynasty.
Q3: What is unique about
its architecture?
A:
- Built in trikutachala style
(three shrines).
- Only the central shrine has a shikhara
(tower) with a kalasha.
- Outer walls are stellate (star‑shaped)
with intricate carvings.
- Features lathe‑turned pillars,
ornate doorframes, and richly decorated ceilings.
- The design reflects the mature Hoysala
architectural idiom.
Q4: Which deities are
worshipped here?
A:
- Venugopala (Krishna with flute)
– Eastern shrine.
- Lakshmi Narayana (Vishnu with
Lakshmi) – Western shrine.
- Narasimha (man‑lion avatar of Vishnu)
– Southern shrine.
Q5: What rituals and
festivals are celebrated?
A:
- Daily pujas
in the morning and evening.
- Narasimha Jayanti
– celebrated with grandeur.
- Vaikunta Ekadashi
– special darshan and rituals.
- Annual Brahmotsavam
– processions and alankarams.
- Krishna Janmashtami
– devotional celebrations in the Venugopala shrine.
Q6: How can visitors
reach the temple?
A:
- By Road:
Connected via NH 75; 17 km from Tiptur, 80 km from Tumkur, 140 km from
Bengaluru.
- By Train:
Nearest station – Tiptur Railway Station (17 km).
- By Air:
Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (162 km).
- Local buses and autos available from Tiptur
and Turuvekere.
Q7: What tips should
visitors keep in mind?
A:
- Best time to visit: October –
March.
- Carry water and light snacks;
facilities are limited nearby.
- Dress modestly and respect temple
customs.
- Photography may be restricted inside
shrines.
- Combine visit with nearby Hoysala
temples in Turuvekere and Hassan for a heritage trail.