Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy Temple

Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy Temple

One of the most beautiful places in the state of Karnataka is the region that surrounds the Mavinakere Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy temple in the Hassan district. Situated atop a small hill, the temple overlooks the surrounding countryside and lush greenery so that the visitors to the temple also get a breathtaking view from the top of the hill.

Overview:

Natural tumbling boulders and verdant greenery make the Hassan district in Karnataka particularly beautiful. The walkway to reach the top of the hill is shielded from the harsh sun by evergreen trees and lined with lush undergrowth, offering a sheltered and carpeted walkway to the pilgrims.

The view from atop the hill offers the surrounding rich paddy fields that are a feast to the eyes. The three ponds that feed the temple and the surrounding areas add to the appeal of the region.

History:

The Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy temple in Mavinakere is situated on the banks of the Hemavathi River. The village Mavinakere and the fort are said to be the residence of Palegar Lakshmana Nayaka. The Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy temple is atop the hill while Govindarajaswamy temple and Padmavathi temple are below. The pradishtapana of the presiding deity is said to have been done by the great Saint Vasishta. The Lord is said to have appeared in the dreams of the then ruler of this region, Thimmappa Nayaka and on his instructions the ruler followed the tulasi mala to reach the temple, about 800 years back. He then became patron of the temple and helped to build the temple and the ones below according to the Vedic rites. This temple is also called Malekal Tirupathi.

Architecture:

The newly built gopuram/tower which was consecrated last January is grand. There is also a large tree that is hundreds of years old which survives to this day. There is also a separate shrine for goddess Padmavathi inside the temple premises. As the name suggests, the Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy temple is built atop the hill, towering over the surrounding hillside and offers a spectacular vista and unique experience to visitors.

Religious Significance:

The temple serves as a family deity for surrounding villages and enjoys the patronage of the locals. The two festivals celebrated with great pomp and splendor is Hanuman Jayanthi and Vaikunta Yekadashi. No one knows when and how this deity was formed though it is rumored to have been consecrated by the great Vasishta.

How to Reach:

The Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy Temple is situated in the Holenarasipura Taluk, of the Hassan District in Karnataka. It is 20 kilometers away from Hassan, and about 165 kilometers from Bangalore. It is well connected by road and rail, hence getting there is easy. This temple can be visited throughout the year, and an ideal time to go would be during September to March, as the weather will be pleasant.

When driving on the Holenarasipura highway, the Sri Lakshmi Venkatarmanaswamy temple is about 1.5 kilometers after Hassan. It offers a pleasant break from the city for those who want to get away from the concrete jungles of Bangalore for a weekend, amidst the lush greenery of the surrounding countryside and the hills.