Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is located at Gundlupet Taluk,
Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. At
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, Bhagavan Sri Krishna is worshipped along with his
wives Rukmini and Sathyabhama. The shrine is located around 22 km from Gundlupet
and 92 km from Ooty.
Legend has it that the divine wedding of Shiva and Parvati was to take place at Kashi. All the divine powers were to attend the wedding. This would result in the tilting of the balance of earth.
Legend has it that the divine wedding of Shiva and Parvati was to take place at Kashi. All the divine powers were to attend the wedding. This would result in the tilting of the balance of earth.
Brahma asked Sage Agastya to go to South India to counter
the weight. He carried the water from Ganga in his Kamandalu.
When Sage Agastya reached South India, he rested on the
Sahyadri Mountains. Here he offered prayers to Lord Krishna to help in saving
the Earth. Sri Krishna appeared before the sage. Sage Agastya asked Lord
Krishna to come and reside at the Kanakachala Mountain. Bhagavan readily
agreed.
Sage Agastya then consecrated the murti of Sri Krishna and
thus saved the earth. Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is located in this spot.
At the temple, Lord Krishna is worshipped along with his two
wives, Rukmini and Satyabhama, cows and gopikas and his friend Makaranda. Lord
Krishna is seen as resting under a tree Mandhara (also known as Suravanya) in
three different postures.
It is believed that Sapta Rishis offer daily prayers to
Bhagavan here.
The main murti of Lord Krishna in the sanctum sanctorum is 6 feet tall. It is in the posture of holding a flute and dancing.
The most important festival in the shrine is observed in
Phalgun month. During Shravan month special pujas are held on Saturdays.
Another major festival observed here is Sri Krishna Janmashtami.