- Vishnu
Chennakeshava Temple
- Aralaguppe,Karnataka
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Overview
The Chennakeshava temple is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is located in the town of Aralaguppe, in the Tumkur district of Karnataka.
About the Temple
The architectural design of this temple stands simple yet elegant. It majorly follows the Hoysala style of architecture. According to its plan, the temple consists of a 16-star pointed (stellate) with a well design shikhara (tower) over the vimana (shrine). The kalasa which is usually found on top of most temple towers is however missing in this temple. The tower starts with a topping roof which is also 16-star pointed and is followed by four tiers of square roofs, some of which still have their decorative kalasa.
The temple follows the ekakuta design (single shrine with a tower) with the temple built on a raised on a platform called the jagati. The walls of this shrine ate beautifully decorated. The mantapa or the prayer hall follows a specific design, where the temple comprises of two eaves. The first heavy eave runs below the superstructure and all around the temple with a projection of about half a meter. The second eave runs around the temple about a meter below the first. In between the eaves, are the well chiselled miniature decorative towers (aedicula) on pilasters. One shall find a line of images representing Hindu deities and their attendants below the second eaves. Just below this are the six equal-width rectangular moldings (frieze). Starting from the top, the friezes depict hansa (birds) in the first frieze, makara (aquatic monsters) in the second, epics and other stories in the third (which in this case is from the Hindu epic Ramayana and stories of Krishna), leafy scrolls in the fourth, horses in the fifth and elephants at the bottom. The sanctum sanctorum has an idol of Lord Keshava who is a form of Lord Krishna. This idol is placed on a large, raised pedestal.
Legend and Stories
The temple complex of Aralaguppe Chennakesava Temple is extraordinarily large with a star shaped sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). Most decorations found in this temple were added later in the subsequent centuries. The pierced stone windows allow only subdued light into the temple. Images of all major deities of Hindu religion are carved on the pillars and lintels of the temple. The walls are carved with scenes from great epics such as Ramayana and Bhagavata.
How To Reach Chennakeshava temple
Road
The Nearest Bus stop is Aralaguppe.
Railways
The Nearest Railway station is Tumkur Railway Station.
Airport
The Nearest Airport is Bangalore International Airport.
Temple Address
Chennakeshava temple,
Aralaguppe, Karnataka - 572212
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Fame
- Freedom from diseases
- Wealth
- Courage
- Relief from adverse effects from bad planetary aspects
- Relief from bondage
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.
Timings
The temple is open from 06:00A.M to 07:00 P.M.