Padmavathi Temple

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Overview

Humcha is a small village located in Shimoga district in Karnataka. It is famous for being home to an ancient temple of Goddess Padmavati, and to the Humbaj Matha (seminary/monastery), an important institution of the Jain community. This temple is considered to be very holy and is known for its cultural and historical heritage. Other notable highlights of the place are a lake that reputedly never dries up and a tree that likewise always remains green. Jain devotees of this holy place are everywhere throughout India and also in foreign countries. Thousands of devotees come to the Humbaj every year for fulfillment of their desires.

About The Temple

The Bhattaraka seat at Humcha, famous for the Humcha Padmavati temple, was founded in the 8th century AD, during the reign of Jinadatta Rai, founder of the ruling dynasty of Santar. In 1048 AD, the Mahamandaleshwara Chandarayarus made a donation to a Bhattaraka of Balagara-gana at Balligame near Banavasi, in present-day Karnataka. Thus, the Bhattaraka seat at Humcha may be one of the oldest of its kind.

Legend and Stories

According to history, King Jinadattaraya came from Mathura. He planned to construct his kingdom and make that place his capital. While he was travelling back from Mathura, he brought the image of Padmavathi Devi. After a long travel he reached Humcha. He took rest under the shadow of lakki tree. In his dream, he was instructed to build his kingdom in that place. Goddess Shri Padmavathi created two pearls at the pond. A person found the pearls and gave it to the king. The King made two nose rings by using those pearls. This pond is called as Muttina Kere. The king gave one nose ring to his wife and the other one is dedicated to the goddess.

Goddess Padmavathi said him to install the other idol. Because, the idol lost her power. The King realized his mistake and installed the other idol. While the devotees ask the blessings to the goddess the flowers will fall from the other deity. This temple was built in the Chalukyan Style. It was decorated with Navaranga and also has an open Mukha mantapa. The car festival is the famous festival in this temple. This festival is held every year on the Moola nakshatra. The Navaratri festival is the famous celebration in this temple.

How To Reach Shimoga

Airport

Shimoga has its own Domestic Airport roughly 10 min. drive from city. It is well connected to New Delhi and Mumbai via Jet Airways, Air India and Spice Jet. The nearest International Airport is Mangalore Airport roughly 195 Kms from Shimoga city. Frequent Flights to various national and international destinations such as Hyderabad, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kozhikode, Bangalore, and Chennai take off from here.

Railways

Shimoga has its own Railway Station named as Shimoga Nagar Railway Station which is connected to the major cities of Karnataka and other state like Mangalore, Hampi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai.

Road

Shimoga is associated by road to all cities around it. From Bangalore, one can head to the NH 4 towards Yeshwantpur and Nelamangala to travel to Shimoga by car. On the road to Tumkur, take the NH 206 that goes through Gubbi. Keep on the NH 206 where one could easily reach Shimoga. There are also various Shimoga car rentals that offer comfortable service for a luxurious Shimoga travel.

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