Sri Torana Ganapati Temple

The Jagadgurus of Sringeri used to stay near the Shankaracharya temple in Sringeri. It is only after the 33rd Jagadguru, Sri Sacchidananda Shiva Abhinava Nrisimha Bharati moved to the southern bank of the Tunga, have the succeeding Jagadgurus made Narasimhavana their place of residence. Around 400 years back, there was news about the impending danger to the temples in the Sringeri Math through some petty rulers wanting to establish themselves. The responsibility of saving the temples fell on the then Jagadguru Sri Nrisimha Bharati (IV) who immediately went into meditation. As he was engrossed in meditation, he heard a voice within, which directed him to pray the God nearest to him. The Acharya searched and found a form of Lord Ganesha on the threshold above his head.

He completed the necessary ritual of prana pratishta and gave the prasadam to all the devotees assembled there. The attackers were mislead and the danger to the Mutt averted. Since the form of Lord Ganesha is on the threshold, He has been referred to as Torana Ganapati since then.