Sri Lakshmi Janardana Swamy Temple – Karnataka

Address

Chikmagalur,

Sringeri Rd, Basarikatte,

Karnataka 577114

Moolavar

Sri Janardhana

Amman

Sridevi and bhudevi

Introduction

Sri Lakshmikantha Janardhana Swamy Temple is Vishnu temple located at Chikmagalur, Sringeri Road, Basarikatte, and Karnataka. At a distance of 1 Km from Sringeri Bus Stand, Janardana Temple is located to the left of Vidya Shankara Temple within the Sharada Peetham Complex. The Temple is believed to be 1500 years old.

Puranic Significance

Sri Jnanaghanacharya established this temple in 14th century during Vijayanagara period. Though the temple is small, the structure is attractive. Beautiful idols of Garuda and Anjaneya are seen on both sides of the temple. This shrine also houses an ancient Sudarshana Chakra. The form of Vishnu represented here as Janardhana, who destroys janma (birth) brought about by avidya(ignorance) and bestows on the worshipper the awareness of his identity with the lord. The origin of this temple is traced to Sri Jnanaghanacharya the 4^th acharaya of the Sri Matha Gururparamapara.

The temple has a garbhagraha, and navaranga. The exquisite form of janardhana carved in granite flanked by Sridevi and bhudevi on two sides, has chaturbhuja with chakra abhaya mudra and varada mudra, a gadha and a prabhavali. The prabhavali is an ornate piece, rich in flowery decorative details. On close observation one finds that the kireerta is very intricately carved to details. Throughout the year the deity is covered by smearing sandal paste. Abhishekam is performed once a year on Krishna Ashtami day.

Daily pavamana abhishekam is performed for the Vishnu saligrama only. The Vishnu salagrama is another murta-amurta form expressive of the virat aspect of Parabrahman. There is a copper venkatachala pathy yantra placed for worship at the foot of Lord janardhana. There is a separate Sudarshana Chakra for which special pooja is performed.

Beliefs

Puranas state that when the devotees are suffering from the afflictions caused by incurable diseases, sorcery, or enemies which are due to ones karma phala worshipping this yantra wards off the danger or perils, avoiding accidents which may possibly occur in future.

Special Features

There are few other shrines housed in the complex:
– A shrine dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya
– A shrine dedicated to Sri Sureshwaracharya towards right side of Sarada temple
– A shrine dedicated to Sri Bala Subrahmanya near the bathing Ghat

SUDHARSHANA CHAKRA:

There is a large circular copper yantra of Lord Sudharshana placed in the anatarala. Its diameter is approximately 3ft. Prayers are offered to ward off the feeling of enmity in us towards our human beings and to cure psychological problems.

Su darshan means one who gives darshan easily, makes the devotees happy making the mind tranquil. Lord Sudharshana dispels His fierce form and comes to their rescue and uplifts them.

The Sudharshana Chakra or the divine discus missile of Lord Sriman Narayana is one of the Lord’s powerful weapons in annihilating evil forces and to reinstate Dharma or the righteousness on the earth.

Maha Sudarshan Yantra is the highly Protective Yantra. The Sudarshan refers to the discus of Vishnu, weapon to repel and punish evil and it is constructed from the pure flame of the sun. It is a dynamic Yantra in that the construction represents a whirling wheel of sacred flame that keeps all negativity, illness, misfortune and so on at bay. Within the body of the Yantra are inscribed sacred bija mantras or seed syllables that have proven their efficacy as protective talismans. When worshipping this Yantra, the devotee visualizes herself being in the centre of this sacred circle of sun-fire, secure and protected from all harm and ill that might befall him/her.

“One of the functions of the Sudarshan Cakra is to chastise the demoniac attitude in human beings, but another is to uplift the consciousness of the living beings”

Festivals

Every Pournami Sri Satyanatayana puja is performed. Chatra(March-April) Shukla dasami Hanumanutsava is celebrated. Special pavamana abhishekam, alankara, vadesara, betel leaves garland are offered to Lord Hanuman. Janardhana is one of the names of Lord Vishnu. This nama occurs as the 126^th nama in the Vishnu sahsranamam.