Goravanahalli Sri Mahalakshmi Temple - Karnataka

Address

Goravanahalli Sri Mahalakshmi Temple – Karnataka

Goravanahalli,

Tumkur District,

Karnataka 572129

Amman

Sri Mahalakshmi

Introduction

Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi in Tumkur District of Karnataka. The Temple also holds deities of Goddess Marikamba and Manchala Nagappa, the snake god in Goravanahalli. Goravanahalli Sri Mahalakshmi Temple is all surrounded by greenery. Theetha Reservoir is very close to the temple. Theetha reservoir is built for Suvarnamukhi River, and it is also one of the attractions in Goravanahalli.

Puranic Significance

The main idol of Goddess Mahalakshmi in the temple is believed to be self-manifested. According to local historians, in the early 1900s, a villager named Abbayya came into possession of this idol. He worshipped the idol at home and was blessed with wealth and prosperity. His home soon came to be known as Lakshmi Nivas in honor of his charity work. Abbayya brother’s Thotadappa also worked alongside Abbayya and worshipped the Goddess Mahalakshmi. One night the Goddess visited him in his dreams and asked him to build her a temple. Thus Thotadappa built a temple for the Goddess and began worshipping the idol in this shrine. After Thotadappa’s death, Chowdavya began performing the poojas for Goddess Mahalakshmi. The temple was abandoned for more years. In 1925, a pious devotee, Kamalamma arrived in Goravanahalli and found the temple in a deserted state. She brought the temple back to life and started performing poojas once again for the Goddess but for some reason, left the place after a year. It was around 26 years before she came back to the Temple and re-established it in 1952. From then on, the temple became a pilgrimage spot for Goddess Mahalakshmi’s devotees.

Special Features

The Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Goravanahalli is a beautiful example of the typical South Indian architecture in the 1900s. The temple features large, multicolored Gopuram with smaller arches on both sides. The temple also has verandahs on either side. The main deity is housed in the Garbhagriha or the sanctum sanctorum. Other deities such as the Nag Dev and Marikamba are also housed in the temple.