Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, Karnataka

Address

Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills Rd,

Berambadi State Forest,

Karnataka 571126

Moolavar

Gopalaswamy (Lord Krishna)

Introduction

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a hill (betta in Kannada) located in the Chamarajanagar district of the state of Karnataka, at a height of 1454 m above the sea level located about 220 km from Bangalore and 80 km from Mysore and very near to Bandipur national park, Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a famous tourist destination place which boasts the Venu Gopala Swamy temple (Lord Krishna) on top of the hill. Dense fog predominates and covers the hills round the year and thus gets the prefix Himavad (in the native language of Kannada) and the temple of Venugopalaswamy (Lord Krishna) gives the full name of Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta. Elephant herds roam around the temple during night time. It is also the highest peak in the Bandipur National Park.

Puranic Significance

This temple was built by the King Chola Ballala during AD 1315. There will be a car festival during Phalguna masa – Sravana Nakshatra(during March-April). This is a 7 days celebration. Unlike in most of the other temples in India, here, the car (Ratha) is made during this time and will be dismantled after the celebrations. The temple is small, neat and clean. A rock can be seen at a distance of one Km from the temple. There is a belief that people not having children, on performing puja here (Santana praapti), will have kids. One lake is called Hamsa theertha (Swan lake). There is a story behind this lake. Once a crow took bath in this lake and became Hamsa (Hamsa means swan in Kannada). Interestingly, one cannot see any crows surrounding this place. The lines of hill range at Madhumalai and Nilgiris can be seen from the temple premises. The hill is named Himavad in comparison to the mountain bounded by the haze throughout the year. Himavad meaning fog, whereas, betta means mountain.

The popular sage Agastya once performed penance at this place. Lord Vishnu even blessed the spot and made his mind to stay here. The place named as Hamsatheertha, meaning Lake of swans, because of penance and worshipping practiced here. The mythological significance of the swan is symbolic to bring in the harmony, salvation and knowledge. The temple situated on the hilltop built by the Cholas, under the reign of Ballala. The enthusiastic devotee of the Lord Venugopala showed much interest in maintaining the shrine.

Special Features

The Gopalaswamy temple at the Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is famous due to the dedication to the Lord Venugopala Swamy. It is a personified appearance of the Lord Krishna. The designs inspired by the architects resembling Chola dynasty. Moreover, the temple designed in a single tier Gopuram, supported by the multifaceted walls of the enclosed space. On the Mukha Mandapa or the inner porch, it portrays the dasavatara sculpture- the ten avatars of the Lord Vishnu along with the Krishnavatara is observed. In addition, the temple has numerous portraits consisting of the panel with the lord Krishna idol. The statue is one of the picturesque beauties of Raasleela of Krishna playing the flute. The scene also depicts the scenes of milk seller and the cows.