- Vishnu
Sri Veeranarayana Temple
- Belavadi,Karnataka
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Overview
This is a beautiful Hoysala style temple located 28 km south of Chikmagalur town in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Belavadi, also known as Ekachakranagara, is very near to the famous temple towns of Belur and Halebid. This temple was built in the 13th century by Veera Ballala II. While Belur and Halebid are famous for their intricate sculpture, this temple is one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture.
About The Temple
Built in the Trikuta style with three vimanas this temple is huge and spacious. The entrance of the temple is at the center, with slanting roofs. The few steps leading up to inside of the temple are flanked by an elephant on either side.
The older shrine is in the center, while the two other shrines face each other across a long Mandapa. The older shrine has one closed Mandapa and one open Mandapa, one with 13 bays and one with nine bays. The vimana of this shrine is beautifully decorated. The outer walls of the temple have running pilasters with decorative towers on top. These pilasters are beautifully carved.
The two newer shrines are connected by an open Mandapa with 37 bays. These two shrines have different plans. One is square while the other is star shaped. The vimanas, the Sukanasi and the walls are covered in bold sculptures. The figures that stand out are the ones of Krishna dancing on Kaliya, and of Garuda. The central shrine has an idol of Veera Narayana, with four arms, standing on a lotus. This figure is eight foot tall. This is the central shrine, and the oldest.
The northern shrine has a seven foot tall idol of Yoganarasimha in a sitting posture, holding the Shanka and Chakra, with Sridevi and Bhoodevi standing on either side. The Prabhavati is carved with the ten avatars of Vishnu.
The southern shrine has an enchanting eight foot image of Venugopala Krishna. Krishna, standing with his right leg in front of his left leg, leaning against a tree, is blissfully playing his flute. He is surrounded by various figures – Shravan Kumaras with folded hands, Gopikas, who are so lost in the music that one has forgotten to cover herself properly, a cow feeding her calf, lost in the music, Gopalas who are dancing to the Venu Gana. On either side of VenuGopala stand Rukmini and Satyabhama.
Legend and Stories
History
The temple was built during the rule of the Hoysala Empire. Known to legend as Ekachakranagara, Belavadi is said to be the place mentioned in Mahabharatha where Pandava prince Bheema killed the demon Bakasura and protected the village and its people.
How To Reach Sri Veeranarayana Temple, Belavadi
Airport
Bengaluru international airport, Bangalore and Mangalore airport is the nearest airport.
Railways
The nearest railway station is located at Kadur and Birur.
Road
Belavadi is well connected by roads. It is located at a very convenient distance from the famous temple towns of Belur and Halebidu.
Temple Address
Sri Veeranarayana Temple,
Belavadi, Chikmagalur District,
Karnataka, India, Pincode - 577146.
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 6 A.M to 9 P.M