Aprameya Swamy Temple is in Mallur Town of Ramanagara district in Karnataka. It is about 63 kms from Bengaluru, and located on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway. Just a mile from Channapatna town, the tall Rajagopura of Aprameya Swamy Temple beckons devotees’ attention. The curious devotee, who pulls over to explore this Rajagopura, would reach the temple of Lord Aprameya Swamy and His consort Aravindavalli and the world’s magnificent Ambegalu Sri Krishna (baby Krishna).
In the scriptures Mallur is known by various names such as Dakshina Ayodhya, Chaturveda Mangalapura, Jnana Mantapa Kshetra, Rajendrasimhagari and Mallur Agrahara. In Brahmanda Purana, Skanda narrates the greatness of Lord Aprameya Swamy in twelve chapters.
The name Mallur
Although there have been many names of Mallur, there is an interesting history behind this particular name. Once there was a king named Sarangadhara. In a battle, his enemies chopped off his limbs and threw him into the Nirmala river or Kanva River. This river used to flow closer to Mallur earlier.
Despite suffering an unbearable pain, King Sarangadhara was continuously chanting the holy names of Lord Narayana and somehow managed to reach the Aprameya Swamy temple. As he stood before Lord Aprameya, his limbs grew back to their original form by the grace of the Lord.
The words ‘to grown up’ in Tamil language are called as Mullaithuru. And hence the place was named as Mullaithuru. Over a period, it came to be known as Mallur.
Lord Sri Ramachandra Prabhu visited Aprameya Swamy Temple
Sri Aprameya Swamy temple is a very ancient temple and popularly known as ‘Dakshina Ayodhya’. Sri Ramachandra Prabhu stayed here for a while and performed various pooja to please Aprameya Swamy including the yajna. Due to which Lord Aprameya is also known as Sri Ramapremaya – the favorite of Lord Rama. Still one can see the remnants of the rites performed by Lord Rama.
Aprameya Swamy Temple Architecture
The Aprameya Swamy temple was built by Cholas around the eleventh century. The architecture of the temple is magnificent and worth a visit. It is built in Dravidian style; the temple is facing east with five tiered Raja Gopura which is decoated with the Dashavatara. Mahadwara of the temple is thirty feet high. There is a thirty feet tall Deepa Stambha which is made from a single stone. This deepa stambha is almost as tall as the mahadwara and situated right in front of it. Ratha mantapa and the four pillared Purandara Dasa mantapa are in front of the temple.
Individual temples for Mahalakshmi as Aravindavalli Thayar, Navaneetha Krishna, Vaikuntha Narayana Swamy are within the prakara of the temple. Prakara was reconstructed during the Vijayanagara period.
The enchanting Aprameya Swamy
The Deity of Sri Aprameya Swamy is made from Saligrama Shila. ‘Prameya’ means measurable. ‘Apremaya’ means one who is immeasurable. Since the Supreme Lord Narayana cannot be measured by our material senses and the senses of those like Brahma and Shiva, He is known as Aprameya.
Aprameya Swami, is in Chaturbhuja form, holding Panchajanya and Sudarshana in the upper hands, the Kaumodaki and Padma in the lower hands. Padma is seen in the abhaya mudra hasta. One can have darshan of utsavar in the Sukhanasi leading to garbha griha.
Aravindavalli Amma
Goddess Mahalakshmi is called as Aravindavalli in Aprameya Swamy Temple because she appeared in a lotus flower in the Vishnu tirtha which is situated at the northwest corner of the temple. The goddess is seated in a lotus in the Padmasana pose in Chaturbhuja form. She holds the lotus flowers in the upper two hands, while the other two hands are in the Varada and Abhaya Mudra giving darshan and blessing the devotees. In the same garbha griha, there are deities of Andal and Vedanta Desikar.
Ambegal Krishna
In north-west corner of the temple, there is a beautiful and cute Navaneeta Krishna or Ambegalu Krishna. He is holding butter in His right hand and crawling with the support of left hand. In Kannada language Ambegalu means crawling. The Deity was installed Veda Vyasa.
His face defies the beauty of a full moon. His eyes are sparkling and incredible attractive. His curly hair is very thick and glamous. Many ornaments such as necklaces, waist belt and jewels adorn His charming body. Out of parental affection, the pujaris in temple make Him wear tiger’s nails to avoid an evil eye on the Lord.
When Purandara Dasa visited this temple, he was mesmerized by the beauty of Lord Sri Krishna that the Supreme Lord who is the liberator of the entire creation, is in the form of small boy playing in the lap of Mother Yashoda. Thus inspired he authored the world famous song ‘jagoddharana adisidale yashoda’ right in front of Navaneeta Krishna.
Devotees offer silver swings in the temple in return to Navaneeta Krishna as they are blessed with progeny by worshiping in this temple.
The temple timings of Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple
Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple is open throughout the year every day from Morning 06:00 AM to 1:30 PM and Evening from 5:00 Pm to 8:30 PM
How to reach Sri Apremaya Swamy Temple
The best way to reach temple is to join Tirtha Yatra and get your tour organised.
By Road: Sri Apremaya Swamy Temple is 63 kms from Bengaluru and 80 kms from Mysuru. Road transport can be easily availed. Regular bus services are available from Bengaluru, Mysuru and taxis are also available from Bengaluru & Mysuru.
By Rail: Bengaluru railway station is the nearest railway station. It is well-connected by important towns of India. Another nearest railway station is Channapatna railway station.
By Air: The nearest airport is at Bengaluru. Private taxies are available from this airport location.
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