Hemmaragala Sri Venugopala Swamy temple

Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple is in a village called Hemmaragala in a Mysuru district of Karnataka state. The Hemmaragala village is renowned for tapo bhumi of Koundinya Maharishi. The deity of Sri Venugopala swamy was installed by Sri Koundinya Maharshi, so it is called as “Koundinya Maharshi Kshetra”. Do you know why Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple, Hemmaragala is Called as Huccha Gopala?

The story behind the village name “Hemmaragala”

The prevalent information about the name Hemmaragala is that there was a large, tall tree forest in this place. A river named Gundlu was constantly overflowing nearby. Sri Koundinya Maharishi choses this place for doing penance and attained Siddhi here. Because of His achievement and in the memory of his penance the place which was covered with huge tree hence it was named as Hemmaragala (Hemmara means big Tree in vernacular language.) and blessed this place that until Sun, Moon this place would not perish, and it will be in peak.

According to another source, in the past a cannibal giant lived in this area. As he was feeding on animals, cattle, people, sages for his food. The people who could not tolerate this cannibal prayed to Sri Koundinya Maharshi as the Maharshi listened to the cry of the people and Maharshi prayed to Lord as Maharshi heard a divine voice saying that the cannibal will be destroyed tonight and not to worry, astonishing as that of next day the cannibal was died. The head of cannibal was fall in a place which is now called as Hedatale and the huge legs of cannibal where it as fallen is called as Hemmaragala.

Hemmaragala, Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple History

The temple is a symbol of the historical and cultural significance. The temple is said to have been built in the 13th century. The region was under the rule of Gangarasa.

Once when the war was commenced the previous day, Lord Krishna appeared in a dream of King told him that tomorrow you going to be victorious in battle, thou, when you are coming back, where your chariot wheel will stop that is the place where Koundinya Maharshi is staying and according to his wish build a Sri Krishna temple and install the deity there with the hands of Maharshi. As his dream came true and Sri Venugopala Swamy temple was built by King in this place.

God’s Grace Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple, Hemmaragala is known for Huccha Gopala?

The Chola Maharaja who ruled this place had twelve daughters and hearing the Lord Mahima he prayed for boy child. After this prayer, the queen became pregnant, and it was celebrated in the palace and all rituals along with the nine-month ceremony. But instead of boy child she gave birth to baby girl. The furious king blames queen because of giving birth to Baby Girl, she determined to commit a suicide, before committing she came to Sri Kshetra and prayed to Lord Sri Venu Gopalaswamy to seek blessing. She offered her prayer saying that on next morning ‘If this Baby Girl does not change to Baby boy, then I shall offer my body to you.’

On the next morning in the Brahmi lagna the divine light emerged from the lotus feet of the lord. Appreciating her devotion, Venugopala swamy made a Baby Girl to a Baby boy. Surprised

by this miracle, by witnessing this the queen exclaimed and said that to Lord why you made me so begging for a child “Enna Gopala, why you made me to suffer this much you are really mad?” (Hucchu Gopala) she exclaimed in ecstasy.

Hemmaragala Sri Venugopala Swamy blessed the King of Mysuru Dynasty

Then after the place came under the rule of Mysuru dynasty without male offspring for a young coronation. King Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadeyar heard the glory of Santana Gopalaswamy, and he came to this holy place and prayed for male off springs as day falls the King’s desire came true, due to God grace king became incredibly happy and named their child as Mummadi Krishna Raja Wadeyar and this instance made a witness to glory by this place.

Architectural of Hemmaragala Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple

Sri Venugopala Swamy in the Sri Kshetra Hemmaragala village is immensely powerful. Sri Bala Gopala swamy here performing miracle who fulfils the wishes of the devotees who come here. According to priest by worshiping Nagarakallu, their ‘Sarpa dosha’ will be removed. There is a stick (danda) in the temple, which is said to have belonged to Koundinya Maharshi, before relinquishing his body, he is said to have transferred all his spiritual powers to the stick which is believed to cure any ailment.

Sri Venugopala swamy temple reflects the architectural of the Cholas. The temple is incredibly beautiful and very spacious, built on a square shaped foundation. The temple is surrounded by a well-fortified fort wall. The temple is in facing east direction, once we proceed further, we come to main Mukha mantapa there we can see a beautiful carved sculpture of Jaya-Vijaya who are the dwarpalaka of Vaikunta welcomes you. Near to that a newly built Garuda Stambha is seen. When we start to do parikrama from the right side behind the temple there is an ancient Anthill, and Tulasi Katte is on left side of the temple.

There is beautiful carved platform which is used to perform Krishna-Rukmini-Satyabhama marriage ceremony.

Then after entering the temple there is a spacious hall, and carved pillars which is incredibly attractive and when we start doing parikrama from sanctum sanctorum first we get Rukmini amma Shrine. From Right we can see Satyabhama Amma shrine Utsava murthy of Varadaraja Swamy along with Sridevi-Bhu devi is in astakshara mantapa. To the right we see Nammalwar, to the left Vedanta Deshiker Ramanujacharya and Adishesha.

Further moving forward, a small Yoga Narasimha swamy is seated on yoga peeta in Sukhanasi dwara. Further moving we come across Sanctum Sanctorum their Supreme God head Sri Krishna is in the form of young boy lord Sri Krishna playing with flute standing on left leg and the right leg crossed known as Tribhangi Posture. Giving darshan to all his devotees as small boy giving as Balagopala. The beauty of the Lord cannot be expressed in words, it can only be enjoyed only by having darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, the lord face is like moon, the gem studded waist lace, to solve the difficulties of devotees the Sudarshan chakra is on lord lotus feet, lord’s eyes filled with love and kindness, lovely lips, crown studded with diamonds and gems it is a pleasure and joy to have a darshan of Lord Sri Krishna. There are many instances of Lord Sri Venugopal showering blessing to their devotees even today.

Sri Ramanujacharya Visited Hemmaragala Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple.

when Sri Ramanujacharya way to renovate the Vijaya-Narayana temple at Gundlupete which is one among the Pancha-Narayana on realizing the glory of this Sri Kshetra Ramanujacharya came here and worshipped Sri Venugopala Swamy temple in Hemmaragala.

Temple Timings of Hemmaragala Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple

Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple, Hemmaragala is open throughout year every day from

Morning 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM and in Evening 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

How to reach Hemmaragala Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple?

The best way to reach temple is to join Tirtha Yatra and get your tour organized.

By Road: Hemmaragala Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple is 186 km from Bengaluru, 37 km from Mysuru, 16 km for Nanjangud. Road transport can be easily availed from these locations. Regular bus services and taxis are also available from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Nanjangud.

By Rail: Nanjangud railway station is the nearest railway station. Another nearest railway station is at Mysuru. It is well-connected by important towns of India.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Mysuru. Buses and private taxies are available from these airport location