- Vishnu
Chokkanarayan Swamy Temple
- Domlur,Karnataka
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Overview
Chokkanatha Swami temple, at Domlur in the Indian city of Bangalore, is dedicated to the deity known as Chokkanatha Swami or Chokka Perumal (the Hindu god Vishnu). It is one of the oldest in the city, dating to the Chola period (10th century AD).
About The Temple
Chokka Narayan Swami Temple is located in a by-lane, very near to the main Domlur Road. This ancient temple, the oldest temple in Bangalore, faces the west and stands on elevated base. Chokka Narayan Swami Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. ‘Chokka’ in Telugu means ‘beautiful’. Although Chokka Narayan Swami Temple is the oldest, the other two - Gavi Gangadhareshwara and Ulsoor Someshwara are more famous.
The temple has been extensively renovated. Only the sanctum sanctorum and two ardhamandapas in front of it are the original structures. One of these mandapas (halls) has an underground cell. One can see the images of Lord Vishnu or Chokka Perumal and his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi in the garbha graham (sanctum). These images have been carved from the saligrama (black) stone. There is a stunningly attractive processional idol of Chokka Narayan Swami along with his consorts. The Vijayanagara style pillars and the front mandapa (hall) were added on later. The carvings on the pillars portray the Kolata scene, fight of Vaali and Sugreev and a lion figure at the base. In the right hand corner in front, is a shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesh which was added on later. The Thirumanjanam is performed to the chief deity on all Saturdays. Close to Chokka Narayan Swami Temple is an Anjaneya temple.
Legend and Stories
The pilasters in the sanctum sanctorum and the walls, as also the name Chokka Perumal, indicate that Chokka Narayan Swami Temple is of Chola origin. In fact, there are Grantham scripts to establish the fact that it was constructed by the Cholas. On the door frame, dating back to 1270 AD, it is inscribed in Tamil that a person called Alagiyar donated the two door posts. Another Tamil inscription declares that he and his wife donated the temple property tax-free for the god.
Festivals
The annual temple car festival is conducted every April-May. There is a special pooja on Ugadi day. Vishnu Deepam, Dhanur Masa Pooja and Thommal Sevai Alangaram are performed on Vaikunta Ekadashi Day.
Temple Address
ChokkaNarayan Swami Temple,
Domlur,
Bangalore,
Karnataka,
Pin code - 560036.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- To be blessed with good looks
Shlokas
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.
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.
Timings
The temple is open from Mon-Sun: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM