Situated in the middle lanes and bylanes crowded with boring concrete buildings the Narsinhji temple is a sight for sore eyes. Painted in bright colors made alive by delicate wooden carvings, this particular temple is considered to be an edifice more than 282 years old.
It is said that the idol of Lord Narsinhji was installed in the haveli over 282 years ago and the haveli is even older than that. In its journey to becoming a center of faith, the Pol in which the haveli is situated has changed many names. Its earliest known name was ‘Vanik ni Pol’. After this, the Pol was known as the ‘Madan Mohanji ni Pol’ after a temple of the same name. Finally in the 18th century after the establishment of the Narsinhji Temple, it was renamed as the Narsinhji ni Pol.
Royal Faith:
The Gaekwads of Baroda are known to be the devoted followers of the Lord Narsinhji since the very beginning. It is said that Maharaja Anandrao Gaekwad had arranged an amount of 1550 Rs. for the yearly expenses of the temple. These expenses also included funds for a Ghee Lamp that would burn 24/7.
The “Deepmala” outside the temple was commissioned by Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad in the 1860s. Some say that the members of the royal family only had dinner after having a “Darshan” of a lamp lighted on the top of the “deepmala”, visible from the Sarkarwada.
There is also a story relating the temple to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Once the Maharaja was traveling via ship, during which it got in a storm in deep sea. The Maharaja prayed the Lord to save the ship from the storm. After returning safely from the danger, the Maharaja directly went to the temple even before going to the palace.
*
The Temple is a classic example of Havelis of Gujarat, with graceful woodwork decorating its exterior and interior. Just like any other haveli, this one too has open courtyards/chowks which let in ample daylight. These chowks act as open spaces for the congregations and have beautiful wooden posts marking its periphery. On its exterior, the elaborately carved brackets support are seen supporting a narrow balcony on top. Recently painted with lively colors, the temple looks as joyful as a riot of colors!
*
As a part of a centuries-old tradition, the temple celebrates and organizes the Tulsi Vivah ritual during the Diwali festival. During this, the whole temple is bedecked in lights and flower garlands. The star of this festival is a procession is taken out from the temple. Popularly known as the “Narsinhji no Varghodo”, the procession is in no means less than a ‘baraat’ (wedding procession) of humans.
*
The temple serves as the center of faith for hundreds of people, who visit it daily. It is also one of the few surviving examples of Gujarati wooden architecture to be in such a well-preserved state.
No Comments