Kodandarama Temple, Hiremagalur

Karnataka, Chikkamagaluru, Bengaluru

Kodandaramaswami Temple is located at Hiremagalur near Chikkamagaluru, in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, India. The temple deity is called Kodandarama, as Rama, and his brother Lakshmana are depicted holding arrows. The temple is State protected and appears to have been constructed in three stages, with its garbhagrha and sukhanasi structures in the Hoysala style. The remaining portions are additions in Dravidian style.

Legend

According to sthalapurana or local legend, sage Purushottama was subdued by Rama at Hiremagalur. Sage Purushottama requested Rama to show him the scene of his marriage. As per the tradition in Hindu marriage ceremonies, Sita devi satnds to the right side of the Shri Rama and Shri Lakshmana to his left. The idols are best explained by the the poet Shri. Da. Ra. Bendre: "All the three idols appear to be walking towards the viewer looking at the placement of their feet. The sculptor has carved intricately the crown, jewellery and the positions of the bodies. Sita's posture, eyes looking down, her jewellery are sculpted really well."

According to the legends, the place was the residence of nine siddhas, who performed penance near a pond in the village known as Siddha Pushkarni and as Parashurama too lived here, it was called Bhargavapuri or 'town of Bhargava' (Parashurama).

Architecture

The Garbhagraha and Sukhanasi were constructed in the Hoysala style, while most of the other constructions are in the Dravidian style. The navaranga and mukhamandapa were later additions. These are surrounded by a wall made of brick and mortar. Inside the sanctum, on a Hanuman pedestal, there are the figures of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. Unusually, Sita is placed to Rama's right in this temple. It is believed that a devotee Puroshottama expressed a wish to see Rama and Sita's wedding and he was granted the wish. As the bride in traditional Hindu marriage sits to the right of the groom, this position, it is believed, is reflected in the Garbhagraha. Rama and Lakshmana are depicted with their bows and arrows here. As Rama's bow is called Kodanda, this temple is known as Kodandarama Temple. In the prakaram there are small shrines for Yoganarasimha, Sugriva, Kalinga Mardhana Krishna, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya ad Vedanta Desika. A four foot-high figure of Yoganarasimha has a Prabhavathi on which are sculpted the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The outer walls of the Garbhagraha and Sukhanasi are sculpted with figures of the various forms of Vishnu like Hayagriva, Narasimha and Krishna. There are also figures of Lakshmi, Hanuman, Garuda and Ganapati.

Darsan Info

Temple timings : 5:00 A.M To 12:30 P.M and 4:30 P.M To 8:30 P.M

Darsan Dresscode

Clean and conservative clothing is preferred.

Famous Festival

Vaikuntha ekaadashi
Sri Rama Navami
Sri Krishna Janmasthami

Culture

The town today is a major centre of education, trade and commerce. The salubrious climate and the venerated monuments in the town attracts tourists of all kinds, all year round. The harmonious environment of the place is depicted in the temples of all religions here.