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In Vishnu Purana there is a story where Vishnu killed Shakasura. For killing the rakshasa, he used Shankha to fight the rakshasa, Chakra to kill him. It is after killing him that he stood in the Veera Narayana pose, displaying righteous anger and ''dharmic'' justice. The pose exudes righteous chivalry and valour. ''Vyaghra'' means tiger and thus ''Vyaghra hasta'' means tiger hand, someone who is quick and strong like a tiger. ''Veera Mudra'' is a pose in which the deity holds a small weapon in his hand. Unlike other representations of Vishnu, this one shows him in a warlike pose. That is why this form is called Veera Narayana.

In Vishnu Purana there is a story where Vishnu killed Shakasura. For killing the rakshasa, he used Shankha to fight the rakshasa, Chakra to kill him. It is after killing him that he stood in the Veera Narayana pose, displaying righteous anger and ''dharmic'' justice. The pose exudes righteous chivalry and valour. ''Vyaghra'' means tiger and thus ''Vyaghra hasta'' means tiger hand, someone who is quick and strong like a tiger. ''Veera Mudra'' is a pose in which the deity holds a small weapon in his hand. Unlike other representations of Vishnu, this one shows him in a warlike pose. That is why this form is called Veera Narayana.

The ''prabhavali'' that decorates Veera Narayana in the background has a ''makara'' head exuding the ''prabhavali'' which is decorated with the ''Dashavatara'' of Vishnu – Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha and Kalki. It shows Balarama instead of Krishna because Veera Narayana himself is identified with Krishna. On either side of Veera Narayana there is Shridevi and Bhudevi, the two consorts of Vishnu. The deity faces east and the leveling of the ground in front of it is marvelous. For 270 feet the ground is extremely leveled. The horizon is visible from the ground, sitting at the gates of the ''garbha-griha''. On 23^rd March, the sunlight comes through the seven doors from the entrance and falls at the feet of the idol, this being another uniqueness of the temple.

The ''prabhavali'' that decorates Veera Narayana in the background has a ''makara'' head exuding the ''prabhavali'' which is decorated with the ''Dashavatara'' of Vishnu – Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha and Kalki. It shows Balarama instead of Krishna because Veera Narayana himself is identified with Krishna. On either side of Veera Narayana there is Shridevi and Bhudevi, the two consorts of Vishnu. The deity faces east and the leveling of the ground in front of it is marvelous. For 270 feet the ground is extremely leveled. The horizon is visible from the ground, sitting at the gates of the ''garbha-griha''. On 23^rd March, the sunlight comes through the seven doors from the entrance and falls at the feet of the murti or vigraha, this being another uniqueness of the temple.

=== Venu Gopala ===

=== Venu Gopala ===

=== The Plan ===

=== The Plan ===

[[File:Plan of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi.png|thumb|517.988x517.988px|Plan of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi]]

[[File:Plan of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi.png|thumb|Plan of Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi]]

The Veera Narayana temple, Belavadi is a ''trikuta'' temple, meaning it has three shrines dedicated to Veera Narayana, Venu-Gopala and Yoga-Narasimha respectively. The temple was built in two steps. First an ''ekakuta'', temple with one ''garbha-griha'' was built. A closed hall and an open hall were attached to it.  

The Veera Narayana temple, Belavadi is a ''trikuta'' temple, meaning it has three shrines dedicated to Veera Narayana, Venu-Gopala and Yoga-Narasimha respectively. The temple was built in two steps. First an ''ekakuta'', temple with one ''garbha-griha'' was built. A closed hall and an open hall were attached to it.  

[[File:Shala 1) North-east shrine 2) South-east Shrine.png|thumb|412.969x412.969px|''Shala 1) North-east shrine 2) South-east Shrine'']]

[[File:Shala 1) North-east shrine 2) South-east Shrine.png|thumb|''Shala 1) North-east shrine 2) South-east Shrine'']]

In a later age, the temple was converted to ''trikuta'', when two lateral shrines were added to it, taking the number of shrines to three. First an exceptionally large ''mandapam'' of staggered square shape was added to the open ''mandapam'' of the earlier shrine and on the two lateral sides of this ''mandapam'', facing north and south, the two shrines were built. Of the three ''vimanas'', the Veera Narayana is the smallest, Venugopal bigger than that and that of Narasimha the highest of all. Although the difference is imperceptible from a distance.

In a later age, the temple was converted to ''trikuta'', when two lateral shrines were added to it, taking the number of shrines to three. First an exceptionally large ''mandapam'' of staggered square shape was added to the open ''mandapam'' of the earlier shrine and on the two lateral sides of this ''mandapam'', facing north and south, the two shrines were built. Of the three ''vimanas'', the Veera Narayana is the smallest, Venugopal bigger than that and that of Narasimha the highest of all. Although the difference is imperceptible from a distance.

=== Recitation of the ''Vedas'' ===

=== Recitation of the ''Vedas'' ===

Belavadi invites Vedpathi Brahmins (Brahmins expert in the recitation of the ''Vedas'') every year to recite the ''Vedas'' and generally devotees and the priests also do it from time to time. In bigger temples, such Brahmins are permanently kept in service for this purpose. As per Vaikhanasa Agama following the worship rituals, the recitation of the ''Vedas'' is performed as an integral part of its routine.

Belavadi invites Vedpathi Brahmins (Brahmins expert in the recitation of the ''Vedas'') every year to recite the ''Vedas'' and generally devotees and the priests also do it from time to time. In bigger temples, such Brahmins are permanently kept on duty for this purpose. As per Vaikhanasa Agama following the worship rituals, the recitation of the ''Vedas'' is performed as an integral part of its routine.

=== Temple Kitchen ===

=== Temple Kitchen ===

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Temples]]