Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple

Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple is a very mysterious temple in Karnataka. Lord Sri Krishna is residing as Gopalaswamy on this beautiful hill revered as Govardhana Giri of South India. Here, always there is a mist (hima) on the forehead of the Deity of Gopala. How? No one knows about it.

Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple is on a hill located in the Chamarajanagar district of the state of Karnataka, at a height of 1454 m above the sea level. The Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple is located about 220 kilometers from Bengaluru and 80 kilometers from Mysuru and very near to Bandipura National Park.

This mountain is always covered with clouds and fog even during the summer season. During the winters, the place really gets chilled. It is due to this reason that this hill is known as Himavad Gopala Swamy Betta. Betta means hill. The mountain is surrounded by thick cover of Bandipur forest and frequented by the wild animals. In fact it has also been the hunting grounds of the Kings of Mysuru and the British.

The History of Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple

The Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple is a very small temple constructed atop the hill. This small yet interesting temple has a deep history connected to it.

In the Dwapara-yuga, all the devatas, rishis and many prominent personalities of this universe had visited Kashi to witness the marriage ceremony of Parvati Devi with Lord Shiva. The gathering was so huge that the Earth could not withstand the cumulative weight of these personalities.

Due to the heaviness the Earth started tilting on one side towards the lower planetary systems or the Patala Loka. Experiencing this all the devatas lead by Brahma appraoched Agastya Rishi and requested him to proceed to south to balance the Earth. Agastya Maharishi accepted their request. He collected the water of Sacred Ganga and other tirtha’s in his kamandalu and started his journey.

When he was about to start, all the devatas again requested him to save the world from the imminent danger of Vindhyachal who had begun to grow in height to compete with Mount Meru. Due to which he had created a blockage in the path of Sun and Moon.

Agastya Muni started his journey from Kashi. While proceeding to south he came to Vindhyachal. Vindhyachal in return bowed to Agastya and awaited his order. Agastya Muni asked him to reduce his size so that he could easily pass to South and ordered him to remain so until he returned. To save himself from the great danger of being cursed by Agastya Rishi, Vindhyachal immediately shrunk to his normal size.

Agastya Rishi then visited this great hill which was then known as Kanakachala Mountain of the Sahyadri Mountain Range. He performed tapasya to please Lord Sri Krishna to bless him in this arduous task of counter-balancing the Earth. Pleased by His tapasya Lord Krishna gave him darshan and blessed him.

Agastya Muni requested Lord Sri Krishna to stay on this mountain to bless the people in Kali-yuga. Lord Krishna accepted the request of rishi on three conditions – the place of His stay should be covered with snow, He should stay with His family and always He had to worshiped by the Sapta Rishis.

These conditions were accepted by Agastya rishi and thus he got vigrahas of Lord Sri Krishna, Rukmini and Satyabhama along with His friend Makaranda and invited Sri Krishna to stay here. The enchanting vigraha had complete entourage of Lord Sri Krishna including the cows and the gopikas. The Lord is standing below the tree known as Mandara or Suravanya.

Since Lord Krishna is in His Vrindavana feature, He is called as Venugopala. Since His forehead is always covered with mist, He is called as Himavad Gopala Swamy. The charming smile is potent enough to unrest the mind of onlooker. Because of this presence of Lord Krishna, this hill is revered as Govardhana Giri.

Mysteries of Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple?

As per the request of Lord Krishna, the upper part of Lord Sri Gopala’s vigraha and the roof of sanctum sanctorum, is always covered with mist. Even the threshold of the temple’s garbha griha is covered with mist. And everyday, in the invisible form Sapta Rishis perform pooja to Lord Gopala which can be still experienced today.

When was Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple constructed?

Govardhana Giri and the surrounding region were under the rule of the Hoysala Kings. During this period Madhava Dandanayaka was ruling Heggadadevankote and Terakanambi province. He was wicked, egoistic, lacking in devotion to God, and at the same time suffering from the lack of offspring.

One day Lord Sri Krishna appeared in  his dream and told him to renounce the evil attitude and serve him with devotion. As told, next day he came to this hill, took a bath in the Papanashini tirtha and took the oath to renounce his evil attitude. Soon he was blessed with child by the mercy of the Lord. The child was later known as Perumal Dandanayaka.

He built this Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple in 1315 BC dedicated to Lord Gopalaswamy.

Festivals Celebrated in Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple

Brahma Rathotsava or the car festival is held every year in the Phalguna Masa i.e., in the last week of March. The special aspect of this Rathotsava is that the chariot is pulled by the bamboo-creepers collected from the forest.

The Shravana masa is the auspicious month for this temple. Every Saturday in the Shravana masa, a special pooja is held. Thousands of devotees throng the temple at this time.

The Temple Timings of Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple

Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple remains open every day from 8.30 am – 4.00 pm.

The best time to visit Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple

The best month to visit Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple is from July to February of every year. Do not forget to pack your warm clothes.

How to reach Himavad Gopala Swamy Temple?

The best way to reach temple is to travel with Tirtha Yatra without having to worry about any arrangement.

By Road: Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is 20 kms from Gundlupete, 55 kms from Chamarajanagar and 80 kms from Mysuru. These cities are well connected by good roads. Road trasnsport can be easily availed.

By Rail: Chamarajanagar railway station is the nearest railway station. It is well-connected by important towns like Mysuru and Bengaluru.

By Air: The nearest domestic airport is at Mysuru, while the nearest international airport is at Bengaluru. Buses and private taxies are available from these airport location