Sri Santana Venugopala Swami Temple

Overview

Sri Santana Venugopalaswamy temple, known as ‘Dakshina Govardhana Kshetra’, situated in village Hemmaragala, Nanjanagudu, Mysore. As per traditional history, this temple is situated in the land where Shri Koundinya Maharshi worshipped and did pennance, and is famous for fulfilling the wishes of countless devotees who come here to pray.

About The Temple

The temple by itself is of Hoysala architecture at the Garbhagriha, but the outer structure is of Vijayanagar times or later. The entrance to the temple is covered but after crossing the main Gopura, one enters a big compound which houses the main temple. Upon entering, one can find columns or pillars of Vijayanagara times and the Udbhava Narasimha on a pillar is amazing to watch.

The temple consists of the central idol of Lord Shri Krishna, who is standing in his most beautiful and enchanting ‘Tribhangi Avatara’, also known as Tribhangi Kolalu Gopala. The Utsava murthy which is kept is also a really beautifully image and should not be missed. Presence of the ant hill behind the Garbha Griha makes this temple unique as it is a rare occurrence and it is also worshiped by the people, do not miss this too.

Another very amazing feature of the temple is the Danda. The Danda, literally translating to a stick, was handed over to the temple by the great Maharshi Koundinya. The Danda, believed to have enormous powers is believed to deliver people of their difficulties and problems be it health wise, monetary wise etc. The danda is believed to contain the powers of maharishi Koundinya who transferred it onto this sacred danda to help the people who are in need as he was beginning to depart to the heavenly abode. This danda is open to public darshan and the ‘Danda Sparsha’ is done only on Saturdays and Sundays from 6AM-6PM.

History of the Temple

As mentioned earlier, the village of Hemmaragala was under the leadership of many kings. The first recorded were the ‘gangarasaru’. During their time, when the king ‘gangarasa’ was about to undertake a military expansion drive, Lord Krishna came in his dreams and prophesied the victory of the king, and also said that while on the return journey, his chariot would break down and on the exact spot was buried the idol of lord Krishna; Sri SantanaVenugopalaswamy. He ordered the king to retrieve it and bring it to the worship place of Maharishi Koundinya and get the idol installed in the divine hands of the Maharishi. And as the king left for battle the next day, the exact happened as was prophesied and the idol was retrieved and was made to be installed by the great maharishi Koundiyna. This temple later came under the leadership of the ‘hoysalas’ and their king Veeraballava donated lands to the temple for the daily needs of the rituals in the year 1298 AD in the month of Phalguna, on a Tuesday.

Legend and Stories

Hucchu Gopala

The reason as to how the lord got the name Hucchu Gopala is a very interesting and divine one. The Chola king who reigned over this area had 12 daughters. Hearing about the divine powers of the lord Sri Venugopalaswamy, the king along with his entire family came to the temple and prayed that he beget a son to continue his lineage. In due time the queen conceived and the mood in the whole palace was of joy and excitement. But, to the shock of everybody the baby turned out to be a girl again. Feeling dejected, the king along with his wife, returned to the temple and decided to give up their lives in the temple itself and sat down praying to the lord. All night passed and in the early hours of the morning, when the couple wanted to take one last look at their new born daughter before sacrificing themselves, to their utter shock, astonishment and joy found out that the girl had been turned to a boy. The couple who were beside themselves with devotion and happiness, named the idol as ‘hucchu gopala’ (hucchu = mad) for the amazing way in which they begot a son and it has carried on ever since. The lord here is known by various names, some of them being Bala Gopala, Hucchu Gopala, Venu Gopala, Sri Santana Venugopala etc.

Making the curse Hoax

Alamelamma cursed and made Talakad a Sand filled land, Malangi a water filled Place completely and the Royal Mysore family as a childless. The made Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar to suffer a lot without children. At last king surrended himself in the lord and in return he got a male child . like this sri Venugopalaswamy made the Alamelamma’s curse a hoax.

Miracle of Eagle

Since the existence of the temple the lord krishna’s lovely game, The Holy festival being celebrated in the Month of June. At the time the pond ( Kalyaani) is filled with water which is 10 feet Depth. The Filled water is used to play holy only after an eagle comes and puts three circular round while performing pooja. Till today this is observed, the till date there no example of the eagle not come on that auspicious day. So, no year has missed this festival.

Midnight Melody

Very often the village folks surrounding the temple here, the temple bell ringing, couch blowing. This is clearly heard around the temple in regular intervals.

Security of King Cobra

There is a belief that for the centuries a king cobra is guarding the temple. It has also feared many in the village who were to commit mistakes, those who talk ill about the temple knowingly or unknowingly have experienced the chase of cobra and biting them in dream. This has confirmed by many who has got the similar dreams.

The Dead made alive

One day a child about 6 year old collapsed all of a sudden near the in front of its parents and the surrounding crowds. The people around and confirmed that the child has stopped breathing and the body turning cold. The parents were in shock and cried for the baby in front of the lord temple with child body. This was pathetic. Sight to every one there. Then the miracle happened the baby smiled as if its teasing somebody and stood up later. This child still there in the village.

Shocking result to the Medical Field

The priest of the lord Krishna in the temple was examined with blood cancer and the doctor had certified that the priest has no chance to live except death within few years. The depressed priest who came back home just engaged himself with his family to serve and worship lord Krishna. Once, the same doctor met the priest and took him to the hospital to check his health condition, as a shock to the medical field itself, the priest’s blood cancer was completely cured. He was totally healthy.

Significance

The deity is called as Santaana Venugopala as many childless couples were blessed with child after they worshiped the deity with devotion and faith.

How to Reach Hemmaragala

Hemmaragala‘s nearest airport is Mysore Airport situated at 30.4 KM distance. The nearest railway station to Hemmaragala is Badanavalu which is located in and around 4.3 kilometer distance. Hemmaragala is located 180 Kms from Bangalore and 35 Kms from Mysore.

Route

1. Bangalore – Mysore – Nanjangud – Hedthale– Hemmaragala, towards Chamarajanagar.
2. Chamarajanagar-Hedthale-Hemmaragala, towards Nanjanagud.

Temple Address

Sri Santana Venugopala Swami Temple,
Hemmaragala, Mysore District,
Karnataka, India, Pin Code – 571312.