On my visit to Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple at Mulbagal ( Kolar District, Karnataka)

Entrance Tower to temple

idol of Hanuman on temple tower

Temple Premises

Temple tank

   

Mulbagal is nearly 100 kms from Bangalore and on the way we come across towns like Hosakote and Narasapura  on the highway to Tirupati. The road is quite smooth with four lanes. On both sides one can see fields and trees surrounded by distant hills with heaps of boulders.  The name of the town “Mulbagal” comes from the Kannada word “Mudala Bagilu” which means the eastern door. This town is located at the easternmost end of the Vijayanagara Empire. Many temples constructed by Vijayanagara rulers and Chola kings are seen here. The whole town looks very colorful with flower vendors and fruit stalls.

Main idol in the sanctum

Presiding deity covered with silver shield

Lord Ranganatha's shrine

The lizard idol covered with brass shield

The temple is just near the bus stand .Though the temple entrance looks comparatively small once you enter you will find a very spacious compound with many sculptures of Hanuman on the walls. The main idol, Lord Veeranjaneya carved in black granite stone, is nearly 10 feet tall decorated with flowers and garlands. On the temple tower idols of Hanuman and his retinue with folded hands are seen. On the friezes of the Mukha Mandapa, idols of Vishnu’s ten incarnations and those of Hanuman are seen. According to local legend this temple was more than five thousand years old and the idol of Hanuman was installed by one of Pandava brothers after the Mahabharata war. Arjuna after the war during his pilgrimage visited this place and kept his chariot banner with Lord Hanuman at this place. 

Historically speaking this temple was constructed during the period of Vijayanagara rulers. Just beside the main shrine there are many other subsidiary shrines. Sage Vasistha is said to have installed the idols of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita here. Sage Bhrigu Maharshi  is said to have installed the idol of Lakshmi Venkateswara here. There are shrines for Lord Chenna Kesava , Lord Ranganatha and Lord Lakshmi Narasimha also. Many pilgrims going to Tirupati visit this temple to obtain the blessings of the Lord before going on Pilgrimage.

 This temple was renovated and enlarged by Raja Todarmal, the Finance Minister in Akbar’s Court. The statue of Todarmal and his wife are seen carved on the temple wall. One can see the idol of a lizard on the wall covered with a brass shield and pooja is done to this idol every day. People believe that whoever touches this idol will be freed from the bad effects of a lizard falling on their body. The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. The temple is closed from 12.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. in the afternoon.

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8th May, 2018                                                                    Somaseshu Gutala