The Yoga Narasimha and Saint Ramanujacharya temple is on a hillock and has been renovated recently and was sporting a fresh coat of paint. This temple , which is 1000 years old is built in the Chola style of architecture and was renovated by the Hoysala kings. Like the Lakshmi Narayana temple in Thondanur this temple too has no Raja Gopuram at the entrance.
The main deity of this temple is Yoga Narasimha with the Narasimha Dandam/Scepter and the goddess is “Yadava Nayaki”.
Lord Prahalada himself is believed to have installed the idol in the Treta yuga. Another sanctum is dedicated to Saint Ramanujacharya in a preaching pose with the Sesha naga (serpant). Sri Ramanujacharya spent 12 years meditating in this temple. This is the very place where the saint defeated 1000 Jain monks in a debate. The saint won and the 1000 monks embraced Srivaishnavism.
Important festivals celebrated at Yoga Narasimha temple are:
- Narasimha Jayanthi
- Ramanuja Utsavam
- Swathi Thirumanjanam
In and around Tonnur Kere are 4 ancient Hoysala temples (1000 years or more) they are:
- Venkataramana/Srinivasa
- Nambhi Narayana
- Parthasarathi and Venugopal
Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Historical Lake and Ancient Temples
Situated: Mandya District, Srirangapatna Taluk
Distance: 130 Kms from Bengaluru, 30 Kms from Mysuru, 8 Kms from Padavapura
Type of transport: Pandavapura is well connected by both Rail and Bus services. Good roads lead up to the lake and the temples.
Facilities: A small snack shop near the lake
Temple Contact Information:
Sri Raguram Bhattar,
Sri Gopala Krishna & Yoga Narasimha Temple,
Kere Thonnur : 571434
Mandya District
Telephone: (08236) 251795
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