Dodda Mallur Sri Navaneetha Krishnar Temple – Karnataka

Address

Dodda Mallur Sri Navaneetha Krishnar Temple –

Mysore Road, National Highway 275,

Doddamalur, Channapatna,

Karnataka 562160

Moolavar

Sri Aprameyan, Lord Navaneetha Krishna

Amman

Aravindavalli Thayar

Introduction

Dodda Mallur is a village in Channapatna Taluk in Ramanagara district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Mallur is located on the banks of the river Kanva. The village is famous for its temples of Sri Ramaprameya Swamy, Aravindavalli and Ambegalu Navaneeta Krishna (crawling Krishna). It is approximately 60 km from Bangalore in Bangalore-Mysore state highway. It is roughly 3 km from Channapatna. This is a Divya Kshetram and a Punya Bhoomi. The verdant greenery, Punya Theerthams, the temple complex and its avaranams all provide for an atmosphere conducive for religious piety.

Puranic Significance

History has it that the temple of Aprameya was built in the 12th century by Chola Emperor Rajendra Simha. The temple is named after the Chola general Aprameya. This place is on the banks of river kanva and river bed constitutes the major portion on this village, hence this place is called Maraloor, Manalur, while “Manal-ur” of the Mahabharata is purely a Tamil name meaning “Sandy, Sand City, later transformed to Mallur in Kannada. Legends say Lord Aprameya swamy temple has been built on this sand has no strong foundations, similar to the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur.

There was once a rich woman, who resided in Bhadrachalam, on the banks of River Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. She lost her vision. Our Navaneetha Chora appeared in her dream and asked her to come to Dodda Mallur and do seva to him following which she made enquiries about this place and reached Mallur. She prayed Sri Krishna day in and day out. The Lord then restored her eyesight. From that day on, she would adorn the temple and sanctorum entrances with Kolam (Rangoli) and worship him. Even though she was rich, she led an austere life. She would subsist on alms from which she would still save some amount of money for Lord Krishna. The little Krishna would then appear in her dreams and ask her for jewelry. She would then have the jewelry made as per the Lord’s demands and offer it to him. She renovated the Garbha Griham, Maha Dwaram, etc. She attained the lotus feet of the Lord doing seva to Him, all her life.

Another incident occurred about one hundred and thirty years ago when the then Maha Raja of Mysore came to have the darshan of Lord Aprameya, Aravindavalli & Krishna at Mallur. He was so attracted to the lovely archa-vigraha of Lord Krishna that he took the same to his palace! The same night he had a vision in which Lord Krishna ordered him to return Him back to the temple at Dodda Mallur, failing which great harm would befall him. Unfortunately, the Raja did not heed the words of the Lord as a result of which a portion of his Palace was consumed by fire. The Raja was then forced to restore the archa-vigraha back in the temple of Mallur.

The specialty of the temple is it is standing on sand and not on any solid foundation. It appears from the style of construction of the temple, that it was expanded during the regimes of certain kings who ruled Mallur in the past. Standing outside the temple, one can see the towering and beautiful Raja Gopuram. Built in the Dravidian architectural style, one finds sculptures from the Dasa Avataram adorning the side walls (Madal) of the Raja Gopuram. The Maha Dwaram is 30 feet high. Opposite the Maha Dwaram is the tall Deepa Sthambam made from a single stone, which vies with the Maha Dwaram in height, at 30 feet.

Beliefs

In this Kshetram it is said that the Childless couples who pray to Ambegal Krishna will be blessed with an issue. This is a Divya Kshetram and a Punya Bhoomi. The verdant greenery, Punya Theerthams, the temple complex and its avaranams all provide for an atmosphere conducive for religious piety.

Special Features

The architecture of this temple is built in such a way that for this part of the year the sunrays at sunrise fall directly on the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagudi of Sri Aprameya Swamy). The idol of Ambegalu Navaneetha Krishna (crawling Krishna with butter in hand), is believed to be the only deity of Lord Sri Krishna in this pose. The idol of baby Krishna crawling with a handful of butter that has the devotees coming in large numbers to this temple is believed to installed by Sage Vyasa. It is believed that childless couples praying to Ambegalu Krishna are blessed with children after their visit. These couples later return to the temple and tie little cradles as a thanksgiving to the Lord.

Punya Theerthams in and around the temple:

To the East of this place flows the Nirmala River. It is also known as Kanva Nadhi as Sage Kanva performed Poojas and Homams on its banks. It is believed that a person who takes a dip in its holy waters will be rid of his Panchamahapathakas. This river also wields the power to cure stomach ailments. Shambhu Theertham is at the southeastern direction.

The Well in the Northwestern corner of the temple carries water that is pure as Sphatika and tastes very sweet. The same water is used for the Lord’s Thirumajanam, Thirtha Prasadam and naivedyam. Vishnu Theertham is also in the Northwestern direction of the temple but outside its precincts. Lore has it that Goddess Maha Lakshmi was born in a Lotus flower in this punya Theertham and hence this Theertham is also known as Kamala Theertham. To the North East of the temple devotees can find Brahma Theertham.

Festivals

Mallur has festivities lined up for every month of the year. Here is the list of festivals celebrated in this temple:

Bramhotsavam: In the Month of Mesha masa (April-May) Dolotsavam: It starts on Prathama Ekadashi in the month of June-July and runs for five days.

ThiruAdi Pooram: In the month of July-August celebrates the birth of Sri Godha devi (a consort of Vishnu and one of the 12 alwars of Sri Vaishnavism).It is observed for 7 days in the Thayar Sannidhi.

Sri Krishna Jayanthi: In the month of August-September, the birthday of ambégal (navaneetha) Krishna is celebrated with pomp and gaiety.

Pavithrotsavam: It is held over four days in the month of September.

Navarathri Utsavam: This is observed for 10 days in the month of September – October. Deepavali Utsavam, Pushpa Brindavana Utsavam and Krithikai Deepotsavams are held in October-November ( karthika masam).