Narada Temple in Karnataka

The Karnataka state of India has temple that enshrines to the Divine Sage Narada in Narada Temple located at Naradagadde which is about 48 kms from Raichur. The Narada Temple most scenic islands on the Krishna River with its beautiful location that attracts devotees and tourists. The Narada Temple was built with a belief that Sage Narada performed penance near this place.

History of Sage Narada:

The celestial sage of Hindu mythology, Narada is said to have sprung from the forehead of Lord Brahma, the Creator. Sage Narada chants the name of ‘Narayana’, constantly, name for Lord Vishnu. Sage Narada is depicted as a celestial musician of the musical instrument, veena and he constantly roams around the three worlds of Heaven, Earth and Hell. According ton the Hindu Mythology, sage Narada is depicted as sharp, very intellectual and is a playfulness character who would be the cause of quarrels among gods.

In India there are two temples dedicated to Sage Narada, one is in Karnataka at Naradagadde and the other in Madhya Pradesh as Naraddev Temple.

Channakesava Temple in Karnataka

Most of the temples in Karnataka depicts Hoysala dynasty architecture.Among them Channakeshava temple is the one which has excellent Hoysala architecture located in a small town on the banks of River Yagachi in Belur. Channakesava means “handsome Kesava” (Lord Krishna) an incarnation of God Vishnu who is enshrined as the main deity in this Channakeshava temple in Karnataka.

In this Channakeshava temple the deity of Channakesava is of 6 foot height in standing posture by holding a disc and conch with his two upper hands and holds a lotus and club with his two lower hands. The Channakeshava temple took 103 years to complete its construction which was started in 1116 AD. The Channakeshava temple is a star-shaped temple with images of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu accompanied by his two wives- Bhudevi and Goddess Lakshmi.

The temple of Channakeshava was built of grey green chlorite carved with intricate sculptures that depicts scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The walls of this temple are carved with mythological figures, friezes of charging elephants. The Chennakesava temple has a big open hall, a huge platform and a shrine which clearly reflects the Hoysala architectural style. The temple complex has about 108 inscriptions in Kannada.

To the left side of the Lord Channakeshava, there is shrine Kappe Chenniga Raya. Kappe Chenniga Raya received this name because a frog was found in a cavity in this Deity, after it was completed. This Deity was meant to be the main Deity of the temple, but because it had a cavity another Deity was brought from Bab.

History of Channakeshava Temple:

According to the history the Channakeshava Temple was built to honor king Vishuvardhana’s conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism. Vishnuvardhana was the Hoysala king who constructed Channakesava temple. It is believed that the Channakesava temple was built as a symbol of victory of King Vishnuvardhana against the Western Chalukya Empire.

During the construction of this temple many artisans and skilled architects have worked to build the temple.

Hidimbeshwara Temple in Karnataka

Hidimbeshwara temple in Karnataka is a cave temple and is the oldest holy place at hill located in Chitradurga. This Hidimbeshwara temple has grand view of a hilly landscape and panoramic views of the city with its famous artistic beauty and temple showcases the marvelous sculpture made out of rocks.

The temple of Hidimbeshwara has a vast kettle-drum of about 6 feet in height and 10 feet in circumference which is said belonged to the legendary Bhima of Mahabharata. There are stones which provide the base for the gunpowder for Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in this temple of Hidimbeshwara.

The Hidimbeshwara temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture. The temple, entrance, walls and doors are all beautifully carved which reveals the style of Dravidians art work which depicts their rich culture and brilliant architectural skills.

There are beautifully carved images on the pillars of the Hidimbeshwara temple and the ceiling has carved designs of sublime beauty with decorated walls of fine art works and the paved floors made of stone are worth observing. Outside the of this Hidimbeshwara temple has unique sculpture and designs carved. This temple of Hidimbeshwara gives peace and devotion with its tranquil atmosphere around the cave.

Banashankari Temple in Karnataka

The Banashankari Temple of Karnataka located about 5 kilometers away from Badami near Bangalore. Banashankari Temple enshrines goddess Parvati in the form of Goddess Banashankari or Shakambari. The Banashankari temple got its name as Ban means forest and it is sited within the Tilakaaranya forest. This Banashankari temple is a very old temple dates back to 17th century and is one of the finest piece of Dravidian style of architecture.

The Banashankari temple has a large pond named Harida Tirtha at the front side of the temple surrounded by stone mantapas from three sides. This Banashankari temple has a very pleasant and peaceful environment to meditate. This temple has high wall enclosed on all sides.

The temple of Banashankari in Karnataka attracts many devotees with its main attraction of Goddess Banashankari idol made up of black stone seated on a lion and treading down the demon with her foot. The Goddess Banashankari has eight hands holding kapaalpatra, Trishul-damaruga, ghanta, khadg-kheta and veda scripts.

History of Banashankari Temple:

The Banashankari temple in Karnataka was founded by a great devotee of Banashankari Amma is Somanna Shetty who installed a deity of Banashankari Amma brought from Badami, in Bijapur district. But the original temple was built by the Chalukyas of Kalyan who worshiped Goddess Banashankari as their Kuldevi. This temple of Banashankari at Karnataka is mainly worshiped by the weaver community.

Though the Banashankari Temple was built in the Dravidian architectural style initially but later the temple was rebuilt in the structure of Vijayanagara architectural style.

Now the Banashankari Temple is managed by the Endowment Department of the Government of Karnataka.

Festivals celebrated at Banashankari Temple:

During the months of January-February is the best time to visit the Banashankari Temple in Karnataka as there will be chariot festival  celebrated.

Goddess Banashankari is worshipped in Rahukala, which is considered as inauspicious time according to Hindus but it is believed that all the hardships and paucities gets off from their life. The goddess is also worshipped during the days of Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, which are considered as auspicious days for doing goddess pooja. The prayers are offered by lighting multiple oil lamps in half cut lemon peels, whose pulp has been removed.

There will be a Banashankari jatre held as a religious cum cultural festival, at the temple grounds every year. On this occasion they celebrate Rath yatra, for about three weeks. And during festivals images of the gods and goddesses are worshipped and are taken on large wooden chariots called rathas and drawn in a pageant by the devotees.

Chamundeshwari Temple in Karnataka

Shri Chamundeshwari Temple at Mysore in Karnataka state is very elegant at its architectural structure situated about 13 km from Mysore city on the top of Chamundi Hills. The temple of Chamundeshwari constitutes about one thousand steps to the hill. Chamundeshwari Temple belongs to 12th century date built by Hoysalas while the temple tower built by Vijayanagar kings which has 300 years old history.

The Chamundeshwari Temple enshrines goddess Durga as Chamundi form of her. Earlier the hill was called as Mahabala Parvata but due to the deity Chamundi the hill named as Chamundi hill. The Chamundeshwari Temple has fine quadrangular structure of Dravidian style of architecture. The temple of Chamundeshwari has seven storeys of about 40 mt high gopuras at the entrance with exquisite carvings.

The temple has a quadrangular structure with Gopura at its entrance. The sanctum in the temple has a gold idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari with silver doors and the goddess is decorated and worshipped by a number of priests everyday. The silver plated doorway has the images of the goddess in many different forms. There is demon Mahishasura statue located near the temple which of about 16 foot height. And the Chamundeshwari temple has many Nandi images. The temple has a small statue of Lord Ganesha on the doorway. On top of the sanctum sanctorum is a small tower or Vimana that can be seen from outside the temple.

History of Chamundeshwari Temple:

Chamundeshwari Temple as it belongs to 12thcentury was a small temple then later it was built as a huge temple by Hoysalas. In ancient days human and animal sacrifices were made regularly at this temple, but was stopped in the 18th century. When Mysore Maharajas ruled the state they made expansions to the Chamundeshwari Temple and it has become a big temple in Karnataka.

The history behind the Chamundeshwari Temple is that goddess Chamundeshwari killed demon Mahishasura at the top of Chamundi hill and saved Mysore. And so goddess Chamundeshwari is referred as the goddess of Mysore along with the name of the city of Mysore.

Now this Chamundeshwari Temple is maintained by Mysore wadayars the royal family in Mysore and they perform specil poojas during Dasara festival and offer rathotsava to the goddess on this festival.