Narasimha - The Lost Temples

BY: DHRUVA DAS

Sep 15, 2017 — INDIA (SUN) —

Introduction to Narasimha The Lost Temples

Lord Narasimha is known as the divine protector and remover of all spiritual obstacles. As explained in the Foreword, He appeared in the form of a half-man/ half lion incarnation of Vishnu to protect and save His devotee Prahlad, who was only a young boy at the time. Prahlad's father, Hiranyakashipu, was perhaps the most heinous demon-king that ever lived, and Narasimhadeva's destruction of this demon speaks to the power of good over evil, or righteousness over iniquity.

My Name is Dhruva. Although now a young man, my childhood was anything but ordinary. Unlike most Western youth, I grew up in an ashram in middle America, where my parents embraced the teachings of India and her eternal religion of the soul, which included reverence for Lord Narasimha. In the ashram,

I used to serve His deity form on a regular basis, creating a connection of loving attachment to Him. His protective nature captivated my mind and heart, especially since, like Prahlad, I was only a child and knew that He would show compassion to me as someone who was completely dependent on Him.

As I grew older, my attraction for Him grew more and more, eventually developing into an intense desire to search out His many temples in India. When the chance finally came, I seized it and ended up going to Ahobilam (where He is said to have manifested on earth), on the southeastern coast of the country. After that first experience, I knew I just had to find more Narasimha temples and document them for posterity — to show the world.

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Narasimhadeva is worshiped and celebrated throughout India, mainly due to the fact that He is considered as the supreme divine protector, something appreciated by all traditions regardless of sectarian affiliation. Although Hindus tend to create a hierarchy of gods and often debate who among Them is actually the greatest, Narasimhadeva is respected by all Indic traditions equally, both in India and in other parts of Asia. As the divine protector and remover of obstacles, He is seen as Ganesh's supreme counterpart. While Ganesh removes material obstacles, Narasimha can even remove spiritual ones.

For the past 18 years I have been traveling around India in search of the lost and unknown temples of Lord Narasimha. When I began my search, many told me that His temples were only located in one particular region of the subcontinent (Andhra Pradesh). While this initially seemed to be true, I gradually found out that He revealed Himself in many forms and temples throughout the country. From the Himalaya mountains to the deepest, dangerous jungles of South India and the deserts of Rajasthan — there He was in all His glory.

After each amazing temple I would have to search out another and find Him, yet again, in a new form, or in a new manifestation. At times I would forget to sleep or eat — so passionate was my search, my obsession. I continued on like a madman or like a desperate child in search of his lost father. The different forms of the deities were spectacular, each one driving me further, virtually forcing me to move forward to locate the next and the next and the next and the next. They were all unique, expressing various characteristics of Lord Narasimha: Some were ferocious, awesome, gentle, huge, tiny, smiling peaceful, yet all so brilliantly attractive in Their diverse ways.

Some of the temples were difficult to find. But I was determined to not give up and always prayed to Him for direction. While on buses, trains, rickshaws, or walking on the road, I would follow any and every lead, however slight it might have been. Sometimes I would meet someone who spoke just enough English to tell me about a temple they knew, or they would take me to someone who they thought could help me. It was as if the Lord Himself was mapping out my path through all these wonderful, kind people that almost mystically came my way.

The temples were often in out-of-the-way place, too. Most of them were on top of hills, mountains or in caves surrounded by jungles that were home to tigers, bears, and cobras. Though I sometimes succumbed to fear, I never doubted that the Lord would protect me.

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The idea for the book came about gradually. After finding the first 100 temples, I realized that this could be an important serve to Lord Narasimhadeva. If I could find His most obscure temples, catalog and photograph them, get all the details and history from the locals and the temple priests, others might be able to re-trace my steps in the future, thus bringing them to the feet of the Lord. Photographing all the art, paintings, carvings, temples, deities, temple grounds, priests and just anything to do with Him, I knew this would be extremely valuable to my peers and future generations. My mission became clear: To write about these wonderlands of Narasimha and create a book of all His temples, His devotees, His ritual and His Art — a book about Narasimha culture.

Though the beginning years were some of the most memorable and incredible times of my life, this last year, traveling with my friend and photographer Damodar Rati, would no doubt influence how this book takes shape in a major way. In other words, the volume is largely a visual experience, even if it includes enough text to take the readers where they need to go. I have not labored to document details of history and outer specifics. Rather, I try to give the reader a brief visceral experience with as few words as possible and allow the form of the Lord to speak for itself. The results you now hold in your hands. May Lord Narasimha protect us always.

To purchase the book, please go to www.narasimhathelosttemples.com or email narasimhabhakta@gmail.com The book is 108$ plus shipping and handling.