Narasimha Jhira Cave Temple, Bidar

A famous cave temple of the region, popularly referred as Jharani Narasimha Cave temple is dedicated to the self manifested deity of lord Narasimha (one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu). The atmosphere of the temple delivers a slight haunt down the spleen. The environment outside the temple premises adds on to the aesthetic value of the site in total. The temple is situated in a cave where the water runs up to 300 metres, under the Manichoola hill range. The temple opens at eight in the morning and closes at six in the evening. A perennial stream of water is said to be flowing continuously for hundreds of years in this place.

History says that, when Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Narasimha to kill the demon Hiranyakashipu, he also killed another asura demon named Jalasura, who lived in this same cave as it was his home. As Jalasura was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, in his last breath, he requested Lord Narasimha to stay in this cave and bless the devotees. Accepting his plea, Lord Narasimha stayed here with the demon Jalasura converting himself to water that flows here. The water here is around 3 to 4 feet deep and is infested with Bats and other creatures. Devotees have to wade through this water to visit the shrine.

Of course, no reports of harming by these creatures are reported here. At the end of the cave there is a roughly carved image of Lord Narasimha on a stone wall. Proper ventilation and electricity are arranged in the caves for the comfortable movement of the pilgrims. Due to lack of space, only 8 people are allowed at a time to take darshan while the others have to wait in the water. It would be indeed an adventure and a thrilling experience as well as exciting to wade through the water in the cave.