Ancient Shri Aadhi Madhavaraya Swamy Temple

Overview

The Adimadhavaraya temple is located at the village of Belluru at Nagamangala Taluk, in the Mandya District, Karnataka.

About The Temple

The Adi Madhavaraya temple was built sometime around 1296 AD. The presiding deity of this ancient temple is Lord Sri Adi Madhavan, a form of Lord Vishnu. The sanctum sanctorum of this temple is found placed on top of a base structure of 32 angles and has a Dravidian shikhara. The temple walls are simple while the pillars are ornate with miniature shikaharas. The antarala houses several brass sculptures. The ceilings over the Navaranga are sculpted with images of Lord Ganapati, Sri Ramanuja and the Alwars. The dwarapalakas are found in either side of the sanctum’s entrance with the image of Gajalaksmi in the door lintel.

A large Karugallu (boulder) lies very close to the temple, having two huge boulders made of soapstone. There is also evidence found dating to 1269 A.D. which reveals the local practice of installing a Brahma on the boulder. People worship this Brahma especially during the winter festival (karuhabba).

The Adimadhavaraya temple traditionally follows the Hoysala still of architecture. The three-celled structure (trikutacala plan) is raised on a stellate parapet. Two other deities are also present in this temple other than Lord Adi Madhavaraya viz Lord Lakshmi Narayana and Gopala. These two deities originally graced from the nearby Mulesingeshwara temple (Kshetra palaka) built in 1224 A.D. Historical evidences inform us that Sri Mulesingeshwara temple previously housed three deities namely Sindheshwara, Lakshminarayana and Gopala while the later two deities were transferred to the Adi Madhavaraya temple.

The vigraha of Lord Adi Madhava here is found placed on a garuda pedestal. The deity graces from the main sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), with the images of Dasavatara carved above the deity. The shrines of Lord Venugopala and Laksminarayana were more recently built and are positioned on either side of the main mukhamantapa. The prakara of this temple houses the shrine of Goddess Saumyanayaki to the left while Goddess Ranganayaki graces from the right side.

Traditionally in most South Indian temples, the Lord’s consort mostly graces from a separate shrine and not along with the Lord from the main sanctum. In case of Devi Saumyanayaki here, the Goddess graces from a separate shrine. Thus she is actually believed to be the consort of Lord Adi Madhava and not the other deity Venugopala. Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Narayana is seen together with the deity in his sanctum. In case any authentic evidences emerge pointing out Devi Saumyanayaki as the consort of Sri Adi Madhava Perumal, it shall stand proof to the belief that Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu were in fact regarded as one and the same, during that particular period of time at the region. It must also be noted that Goddess Saumyanayaki is the consort of Sri Krishna at Saumya Kesava temple.

About The Deity

The chief deity is Sri Adimadhava who graces here from the main the sanctum holding the Shanku and chakra in his upper hands. The deity is also seen holding a Gadha is his lower right arm while showing the padma mudra (symbol) in his lower left.

In the cell to the left of Adi-Madhava is a beautiful Deity of Janardhana, and to His left is Venugopala.

Legend and Stories

Despite the information that Sri Adimadhavaraya temple was built in 1284 A.D, evidence point out that the temple and tank were in fact constructed in 1269 A.D by Perumale Dandanayaka. A record dated 1269 A.D found from Belluru mentions the deities here as Lord Trikuta Lakshminarayana, Gopala and Kodi Madhava. Yet atger record refers the deities as lord Prasanna Madhava, Ramakrishna and Varada Allalanatha. A third record confirms that the deity was called Sri Adimadhava from the 17th Century onwards. These information indicated that Lord Laksmi-Narayana and Gopala were from the Mulesingeshwara temple soon arrived after the construction of Adi Madhava temple

Festivals

The winter festival called Karuhabba is the most popular festivals celebrated in this temple.

How To Reach Belur

Airport

The nearest airport is the Bengaluru International Airport which is located about 222 km from the temple.

Railways

The Hassan Railway ststion is the nearest railhead. Trains from New Delhi, Mumbai and other cities of Karnataka halt at Hassan railway station.

Road

Belur is well connected to most towns and cities of Karnataka like Bengaluru, Mangalore and Mysore through regular buses.

Temple Address

Ancient Shri Aadhi Madhavaraya Swamy Temple,
Bellur, Nagamangala Taluk,
Mandya District,
Karnataka, Pincode - 57141818.