Mysore Palace Trinesvaraswamy Temple, Karnataka

Address

Mysore Palace, Agrahara,

Chamrajpura, Mysuru,

Karnataka 570004

Moolavar

Trinesvaraswamy

Introduction

Trinesvaraswamy Temple is one of Mysore’s oldest shrines. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple stands in the northeast corner of a fort inside the Mysore Palace Complex. According to a popular legend, once a sage named Trinabindu performed penance at the temple site. In response to his devotion, Lord Shiva appeared here and consecrated a lingam, which came to be known as Trinesvara or Trinayanesvara, meaning three-eyed god (Lord Shiva).

Puranic Significance

It is believed that this temple was built in pre 1578 by Raja Wodeyar. The temple was expanded and renovated by the Maharajas of Mysore. Kanthirava Narasaraja Wodeyar constructed a verandah and consecrated five Lingas and several deities including Dakshinamurthy, The temple features a prakara (an enclosure) with a big main entrance or mahadwara. Originally, the mahadwara featured a huge gopura (tower), which was ruined in the 18th century. The mahadwara has two niches that exhibit images of Bhairava and Ganapati. Around the prakara, there are several small shrines dedicated to other gods and goddesses – Suryanarayana, Parvati, Chamundeswari and Shankaracharya.

Adding grace to the marvelous architecture of the temple is the navaranga that has two entrances – one towards the south and the other towards the west. Facing the south entrance is the metallic image of God Shiva, flanked by two niches on either side. Within these niches, statues of His son, Lord Ganesha are installed. Two other niches on the southern outer wall of the navaranga have idols of Virabhadra and Dakshinamurthy. Other than these, statues of the Wodeyar rulers Kanthirava Narasaraja Wodeyar and Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar within the temple complex.

According to Sthala Purana (local legend), the sage performed penance at this spot to Lord Shiva. The statue has four hands, one holding a rosary, another Rudra Veena, the third a book and the fourth in Chinmudra or teaching pose. The pedestal is sculptured with the figures of seven sages. In a niche in the Prakara, facing the south entrance are the two statues of Kanthirava Narasaraja Wodeyar and Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar. The temple attracts a large number of devotees during the Shivaratri celebrations. Special prayers are offered every three hours of the holy Shivaratri night till dawn.