Nagamangala Sri Saumyakeshava Swamy Temple, Karnataka

Address

Nagamangala, Mandya district

Karnataka 571432

Moolavar

Sri Saumyakeshava Swamy

Amman

Saumyanayaki.

Introduction

The Saumyakeshava temple (also spelt Sauymakesava or Soumyakeshava) at Nagamangala was constructed in the 12th century by the rulers of the Hoysala empire. Nagamangala is a town in the Mandya district of Karnataka state, India. Presiding Deity is called as Saumya Kesava and Mother is called as Saumyanayaki. It is located 62 km from the historically important town Mysore, on the Srirangapatna–Sira highway. Historically, Nagamangala came into prominence during the rule of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana when it became an important center of Vaishnava faith and received patronage from one of his queens, Bommaladevi. During the rule of Veera Ballala II, Nagamangala prospered as an agrahara (place of religious studies) and had the honorific Vira Ballala Chaturvedi Bhattaratnakara. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India

Puranic Significance

During Mahabharata, it is believed that Lord Krishna wanted to get rid of Nagasthra of Karna as it would kill Arjuna if it was launched. Hence, Lord Krishna put all the Nagas of this world in his Shanka. When Karna tried to use Nagasthra, it never got launched as Lord Krishna already prevented by putting all Nagas in his Shanka. Lord Krishna of this Temple appears with the Shank in right hand. This shank controls all the Nagas of this world by its power.

Nagamangala was earlier called as Phani Pura or Paniparaha Kshetra (city of snakes) which later got changed to Nagamangala. The place was also known as Anantha Kshetra. Nagamangala came into prominence during the rule of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana when it became an important center of Vaishnava faith and received patronage from one of his queens, Bommaladevi. She renovated repaired and bestowed grants to the Sankara Narayana temple at the town. During the rule of Veera Ballala II, Nagamangala prospered as an Agrahara (place of religious studies) and had the honorific Vira Ballala Chaturvedi Bhattaratnakara. There is a 12th century inscription recording the grants given to the temple by Hoysala king Ballala II. As per local folklore, the town and the temples were built by a prince named Jaga Deva Raya, belonging to the family of the Mysore rulers. The Temple was renovated by Gangas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara and post Vijayanagara rulers.

Beliefs

The temple is well known for Raghu Kethu Parihara Pooja. The place is also Parihara sthalam for Naga Sarpa Dosha. Devotees worship here to get relief from illness & mental health, to get relief from marriage obstacles and for child boon.

Festivals

Purattasi Brahmotsavam, Panguni Uthiram, Masi Makam, Vaikasi Visakam, Thiru Karthikai, Vaikunda Ekadashi and Sravana Deepam are the festivals celebrated here.