ET BureauCHOKKANATHASWAMY TEMPLE
The 10th Century Chokkanathaswamy Temple in Domlur is largely nondescript. It is tucked away inside a narrow bylane off Domlur main road. The outer façade of the temple bears no signs of its vintage for it was renovated three decades ago. The sanctum sanctorum and the two ardha mandapas in the front date back to the sprawling Shaivite Chola Empire (1004 AD-1116 AD) that reigned over a portion of southern Karnataka as well.
While Chokkanatha is another name for Lord Shiva, the temple's presiding deity is Lord Vishnu.“The temple name is derived from the word Chokka, which means beautiful in Telugu,“ says the temple priest Balaji.
UB Githa, founder chairperson of Destination Heritage, which conducts heritage walks, seminars and festivals, says that one of the ardha mantapas had an underground cell that once stored valuables but is covered today . The images of Lord Vishnu and his consorts Sri (Lakshmi) and Bhu (Bhumi) in the sanctorum are carved from Saligrama stone imported from Nepal, the only place where it is found.
“The Vijayanagara-style Navaranga pillars and the front mantapa are later additions to the temple,“ she says. “The sculpting on the pillars depict the kolata dance, weapon duel, the fight of Vali and Sugreeva and a lion figure at the base.“
The sanctorum is built on a high, east-facing platform, in a manner that sun rays fall directly on the main deity during the summer and winter solstices.
Interestingly , a stone inscription dating back to 1040 AD records an endowment to the deity “Sokkaperumal of Tombalur“.There are two stories about how Domlur got its name. Some say that it is derived from Tombalur, a variety of flower used to worship Lord Shiva. The popular story among locals is that it is from the Telugu word “Domalu“, meaning mosquitoes, as the area was once infamous for mosquito infestation.
A lesser-known feature of the temple is its 12 pranic points -small white squares around the temple that are said to radiate powerful positive energy . “This is the only pranic temple in Bengaluru,“ Balaji, whose ancestors have presided over the temple for generations, says
The 10th Century Chokkanathaswamy Temple in Domlur is largely nondescript. It is tucked away inside a narrow bylane off Domlur main road. The outer façade of the temple bears no signs of its vintage for it was renovated three decades ago. The sanctum sanctorum and the two ardha mandapas in the front date back to the sprawling Shaivite Chola Empire (1004 AD-1116 AD) that reigned over a portion of southern Karnataka as well.
While Chokkanatha is another name for Lord Shiva, the temple's presiding deity is Lord Vishnu.“The temple name is derived from the word Chokka, which means beautiful in Telugu,“ says the temple priest Balaji.
UB Githa, founder chairperson of Destination Heritage, which conducts heritage walks, seminars and festivals, says that one of the ardha mantapas had an underground cell that once stored valuables but is covered today . The images of Lord Vishnu and his consorts Sri (Lakshmi) and Bhu (Bhumi) in the sanctorum are carved from Saligrama stone imported from Nepal, the only place where it is found.
“The Vijayanagara-style Navaranga pillars and the front mantapa are later additions to the temple,“ she says. “The sculpting on the pillars depict the kolata dance, weapon duel, the fight of Vali and Sugreeva and a lion figure at the base.“
The sanctorum is built on a high, east-facing platform, in a manner that sun rays fall directly on the main deity during the summer and winter solstices.
Interestingly , a stone inscription dating back to 1040 AD records an endowment to the deity “Sokkaperumal of Tombalur“.There are two stories about how Domlur got its name. Some say that it is derived from Tombalur, a variety of flower used to worship Lord Shiva. The popular story among locals is that it is from the Telugu word “Domalu“, meaning mosquitoes, as the area was once infamous for mosquito infestation.
A lesser-known feature of the temple is its 12 pranic points -small white squares around the temple that are said to radiate powerful positive energy . “This is the only pranic temple in Bengaluru,“ Balaji, whose ancestors have presided over the temple for generations, says
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
...moreDownload The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
...more
Get Unlimited Access to The Economic Times
