On my visit to Sri Nageshwara Swamy Temple, Begur (Bangalore Urban)

 

                            

Shiva with Parvati and His Children

               

                                       

Carved Figures at the Gateway

                                                

Sculptured elephant at the entry way

                          

Sri Panchalingeshwara Swamy Board

                                             

Shrine of Ganesh with Serpent Goddess

               

                                        

Nandi Scuplture at the base of the pillar

   

                              

Nageshswara Temple

                                  

Nandi Mandapa

                           

Sri Kali Kamateshwara swamy

                                               

Sri Nagareswara swamy

            

Nandi Mandapa

                                   

Ganesha with Two hands

                                                 

Sri Karneshwara Swamy

                                     

                                               

Mukha Mandapa

                        

Carvings on outer temple wall

                                         

Hero-Stones in the temple compound

                                 

Hero-Stone depicting Bengalur War

This is a Panchalinga Kshetra (also called Nageshwara Swamy or Naganadeshwara Temple) is situated in a small town within Bangalore urban District. This very ancient 1300-years old temple is about four kms from Begur road from the Bommanahalli junction on Hosur road. A 9th century inscription was discovered here with the earliest reference to Bengalur.

This temple was built by Western ganga kings, Ereganga Nitimarga I (843-870) and Ereyappa Nitimarga II (907-921). On behalf of the Ganga Kings, Nagattara, the famous Jain Chieftain of Begur and Commander of the Western Ganga dynasty (which ruled present day Karnataka and Tamilnadu from 4^th century to 11^th century) constructed this temple in Begur. The remaining shrines were built by Chola, Hoyasala and Vijayanagara kings. The Panchalingas are:

1 Sri Nageswara with Parvati is the oldest temple. Worship of this Linga fulfills the desires of the devotees.

2.  The worship of Sri Choleshwara Swamy cures skin ailments.

3.  The worship of Sri Nageshwara swamy solves business problems and court cases.

4. The worship of Kalikamateshewara swamy blesses devotees with children.

5.  The worship of Sri Karneshwara Swamy gives good health.

The temple timings of this historic temple are 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. in later times four new temple towers or Rajagopurams have been built on four sides. Special poojas are performed in this temple during Kartik Month (Nov), Mahashiva Ratri and Brhama Rathostva in the month of April.

 

According to the legends, Ravana after losing his Atma Linga in Gokarnam visited this temple during his return journey to Sri Lanka and worshipped Nageshwara Lingam here. The Nageshwara temple has a simple square sanctum with a Vestibule (Antarala). Next to Antarala, there is or Navaragna Artha Mandapa) which leads to an open hall or Agramandapa or Mukhamandapa.. This open hall has six unequally placed pillars. This leads to Nandi Mandapa with an idol of Nandi placed on a lotus platform (Padma Pitha). The Nandi Mandapa is supported by four white granite pillars. In the Navaragna or closed hall, the western Gangas set up eight panels in square grid shape around the ceiling with a beautiful sculpture of four-handed Uma Maheswara. Likewise in the open hall or Mukhamandapa there are sculptures of the seated sculptures of Shiva and Parvati, Mahishasuramardini, a unique two-handed Ganesha and Kalabhairava. Near the entrance door there are carvings of Shiva Ganas and loops of lotus flowers. At the top the entrance on the lintel is seen the figure of Gajalakshmi with elephants on either side. The shrine of Nagareshwara is another shrine built by Western Ganga kings. The other shrines of Choleshwara, Kali Kamteshwara and Karaneshwara are seen.

One can also see Kannada inscription dated 890 A.D. which refers to Bengaluru wars.  This is the earliest evidence of the existence of a place called Bengaluru. Besides there are many hero stones set up in memory of war heroes who died fighting in the war.

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 Note :

When Nolamba king, Vira Mahendra, attacked Gangas neat Tumkur at Tumbepadi or Tumbadi with elephant troops, Nagattara bravely encountered them and struck seven arrows on the head of the mighty royal elephant. But unfortunately, he was trampled by the elephant to death.  His successor Irugumaiah erected hero stones in memory of Nagaratta in Begur temple. Nagaratta’s daughter Tondayabbe performed the Jain vow of Sallekhana (fasting unto death) following the death of her husband in the war. In this battle of Bengaluru (890 A.D.) Nagattara’s son, Bhuttanpati or Perumadi, and many other relatives died. Twelve villages were given to Nagratta’s family of which Begur was the chief village. Nagaratta served under the Ganga king, Ereyappa Nitimarga II. Ultimately Gangas won the war. Gangas continued their rule till they were defeated by Rajendra Chola I. Begur once also called as Veppur or Bempuru was once an important center of business, Vedic learning and administration of Ganga, Chola and other dynasties. At a  short distance away from this temple is seen a broken circular mud fortress in which the Kashi Visveshwara temple is seen.

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  4th May 2026                        Somaseshu Gutala