Devanahalli Venugopalaswamy Temple – Karnataka

Address

Devanahalli, Bangalore Rural District,

Karnataka – 562 110

Phone: +91 9886536673

Moolavar

Venugopalaswamy

Amman

Sri devi and Bhu devi

Introduction

Venugopalaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Devanahalli Town in Bangalore Rural District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Temple is located at about 250 meters from Devanahalli Bommawara Gate Bus Stop.

Puranic Significance

The temple is constructed in the Dravidian style and belongs to the post Vijayanagara empire period. The Temple is believed to be 1300 years old. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

According to the legend, Ranabera Gowda originally hailed from Kanchipuram and settled in Avathi Village near Benthakalur, which is now modern-day Bangalore. Unfortunately, his settlement was completely destroyed by a cyclone. In the aftermath, he salvaged his belongings and placed them under a tree. However, his broomstick became stuck in an anthill and resisted all efforts to remove it. Taking this as a sign, Ranabera Gowda decided to spend the night under the tree. During the night, he had a vivid dream in which he was instructed that there were seven vessels filled with gold, jewelry, and idols of Venugopala Swamy and Thimarayana Swami buried beneath the tree. The dream urged him to unearth these treasures and install the idols. Acting on the divine guidance, he excavated the treasure and idols the following day. Ranabera Gowda decided to enshrine Thimarayana Swami at Gauthama Giri Beta. He then, along with his family, embarked on the journey. During this time, he decided to construct a fort for his family and also establish a temple for Venugopala Swamy. A Pallegara (local chieftain) named Deve Gowda had a mud fort built in the vicinity during this period. Ranabera Gowda sought Deve Gowda’s assistance in constructing a stone fort and the temple for Venugopala Swamy. Deve Gowda agreed to help, with one condition: that the place be named after him in recognition of his aid. Ranabera Gowda accepted this condition, and as a result, the place came to be known as Devana Halli.

Special Features

The temple is situated within the Devanahalli Fort and is considered the oldest temple in the town. Devanahalli is also known as Devanapura, which means “the abode of gods.” This temple faces east and is characterized by a three-tiered Rajagopuram (main entrance tower). On either side of the gopuram, there are two idols of Lord Vishnu, believed to be from the Ganga era. Immediately after passing through the Rajagopuram, one can see the Balipeedam (sacrificial altar), Dhwaja Sthambam (flagpole), and a Garuda shrine, all facing the sanctum.

The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of the Sanctum itself, the Antrala (vestibule), the Maha Mandapa (grand hall), and the Mukha Mandapa (front hall). The pillars in the Mukha Mandapa are adorned with sculptures of horsemen with unsheathed swords. In the Maha Mandapa, four black-stoned pillars are intricately carved with depictions of Hayagriva, dancing female figures accompanied by musicians, a conch blower, a kinnara with the lower part of his body in the form of a bird, a huntress removing a thorn from her leg, and more. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Venugopala Swamy, depicted in a standing posture. The vimana (tower) over the sanctum consists of three tiers. The outer walls of the temple are adorned with richly detailed friezes depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Krishna Leela (the life of Lord Krishna). The northern and southern walls narrate the entire Bala Kandam, a section of the Ramayana.