Kalale Lakshmikantha Swamy Temple, Karnataka

Address

Kalale Lakshmikantha Swamy Temple, Karnataka

Kalale, Nanjangud Taluk,

Mysore District,

Karnataka 571118

Moolavar

Lakshmikantha Swamy

Amman

Aravinda Nayaki

Introduction

Location:

• Located in Kalale Village, Nanjangud Taluk, Mysore District, Karnataka, India.
• Situated immediately after Nanjangud on the Mysuru to Ooty route.
• The temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Puranic Significance:

• Believed to be built by Kantha Wodeyar (1505–1527 CE), the first ruler of Kalale.
• Lakshmikantha Swamy was the royal deity of the Kalale rulers, and the temple continues to be patronized by their descendants.
• Expansion by King Dodda Krishnaraja I (1714–1732 CE) of the Mysore Wodeyar dynasty.
• Tipu Sultan (1782–1799 CE) gifted silver items to the temple.
• Kalale was the political and cultural capital of the Kalale Dalavoys.

Legendary Origins:

• Sage Atri performed penance at this site, where Lord Brahma installed an idol of Lord Srikantha.
• Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu, visited the site and blessed Atri and his son Dattatreya.
• King Janamejaya of the Kuru Kingdom later discovered an image of Lord Narayana amid a bamboo forest and ordered the construction of a temple.
• Folklore: A cow belonging to the Kalale royal family emptied its udder at the spot where the temple now stands, leading to the discovery of the Lakshmikantha idol.

Special Features:

• The temple faces east and features a five-tiered rajagopuram.
• Dwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam, and Garuda are present immediately after the rajagopuram.
• The temple structure includes a sanctum, antrala, ardha mandapa, and maha mandapa.
• The sanctum houses a 3.5-foot tall saligrama image of Lakshmikantha Swamy, flanked by his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
• Aravinda Nayaki, the consort of Lakshmikantha, has a shrine in the temple premises.
• Shrines and idols of Koorathazhwar, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desikar, Anjaneya, Azhwars, and Andal are present.
• The temple features stone pillars with intricate carvings depicting stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Karthika Mantapa and Navaratri Mantapa are located in front of the temple, each with pillars showcasing mythological carvings.

References

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/lakshmikantha-swamy-temple-kalale-karnataka.html

Century/Period

1505 – 1527 CE

Managed By

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Nearest Bus Station

Kalale

Nearest Railway Station

Nanjangud Town Railway Station

Nearest Airport

Mysore

Location on Map

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