Sugganahalli Garuda Temple is part of the ancient Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple located in Sugganahalli village, Magadi Taluk, Ramanagara District, Karnataka. The temple is believed to be over 1,000 years old and was built during the Chola period. Inscriptions and architecture suggest that it was expanded by later dynasties such as the Hoysalas and Vijayanagara kings.
The main deity is Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, seen in a standing posture facing west – a rare form compared to most Narasimha temples where the Lord is seated and east-facing. Alongside him, Goddess Mahalakshmi is also worshipped.
What makes this temple very special is the daily worship of Garuda, the divine eagle and vahana (vehicle) of Lord Vishnu. In most temples, Garuda is only found in front of Vishnu shrines, but here he is offered regular puja and is deeply revered. Devotees believe that praying to Garuda here removes serpent curses (sarpa dosha, naga dosha) and grants health and protection.
The temple follows Chola-style Dravidian architecture with a tall gopuram (tower) and a spacious prakara (temple courtyard). The sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) houses Lakshmi Narasimha in stone, and Garuda has a dedicated shrine within the complex. Other shrines include those for Goddess Mahalakshmi, Andal, Hanuman, and a small Brindavana for Sage Shuka. The temple also has a rare pillar form of Narasimha known as ‘Kambada Narasimha’.
Long ago, the region of Sugganahalli was a quiet forest area where many sages performed penance. Among them was Sage Shuka (Shuka Muni), the son of Vedavyasa and the great narrator of the Bhagavata Purana. Shuka desired to have the darshan of Lord Narasimha, the protector form of Vishnu who saved Prahlada. He came to Sugganahalli and performed severe penance here.
Pleased with his devotion, Lord Lakshmi Narasimha appeared before Sage Shuka in a unique form – standing, facing west, along with Goddess Lakshmi. This is why the presiding deity of the temple is in a standing, west-facing posture, which is very rare among Narasimha temples.
During his meditation, Shuka Muni also had a divine vision of Garuda, the eagle mount of Lord Vishnu. Garuda told the sage that he would remain in Sugganahalli to protect devotees from serpent afflictions and fulfill their wishes. From then on, this place became sacred for Garuda worship along with Narasimha. Unlike most temples where Garuda is only an attendant figure in front of Vishnu, here Garuda receives daily worship, a very unique practice.
Devotees believe that worshipping Garuda here removes sarpa dosha (serpent curses), naga dosha (ancestral snake-related afflictions), and protects families from health issues and obstacles. Couples without children and those facing repeated life hurdles often come here to pray to Garuda and Narasimha together.
At the Sugganahalli Garuda Temple, the grandest celebration is the Brahmotsava, held for eleven days during the month of Phalguna (February–March), when the deity is taken in procession on various vahanas, including Garuda, Hanuman, Gaja (elephant), Shesha, and Surya. Apart from this, festivals like Garuda Jayanti, Krishna Janmashtami, Varamahalakshmi Puja, and Nagapanchami are observed with devotion. Among these, Garuda Jayanti and Nagapanchami draw special crowds, as devotees believe worshipping Garuda during these occasions removes sarpa dosha and brings protection to their families.
