Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Darshan Time – Opening and Closing Timings - Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple: History and Architecture
Himavad
Gopalaswamy Temple
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple: History and Architecture
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is a revered Hindu temple
dedicated to Lord Krishna, located in the Gundlupet Taluk of Chamarajanagar
District, Karnataka. This temple stands atop Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, a
medium-sized hill situated within the core zone of the Western Ghats and
accessible via a small road through Hangala village, north of Bandipur National
Park. The hill, often shrouded in mist—hence "Himavad," meaning
mist—frequently attracts wild elephants from the Bandipur wildlife sanctuary.
Historical Significance
The Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple, believed to be built around
the 14th century, holds significant historical and religious importance.
Originally known as South Govardhanagiri and Kamalachala, the temple was
constructed in 1315 AD during the Hoysala era by King Chola Ballala. The
temple, located at an altitude of 4,770 feet above sea level, was later
maintained by the Wodeyars of Mysore, who were ardent devotees of Lord
Venugopala (another name for Lord Krishna). The deity in the temple, Lord
Gopalaswamy (Krishna), is said to have been installed by the sage Agasthya.
Architectural Marvel
The Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is an excellent example of
Dravidian architecture, showcasing the artistic brilliance of craftsmen from
the medieval period. The temple's layout includes several distinct
architectural features:
Gopuram (Entrance Tower): The temple's gopuram is a
single-tiered structure that rests on the compound wall of the enclosure. This
modest yet elegant tower marks the entrance to the sacred complex.
Mukha Mantapa (Inner Porch): Inside the mukha mantapa, a
dhwajastambha (flag pillar) and a bali-peetam (sacrificial altar) are prominent
features. The parapet wall of the mukha mantapa's facade is adorned with
sculptures depicting the dashavatara—the ten avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu.
The central portion of this sculpture showcases the Krishnavatara, where Vishnu
appears as Krishna.
Shikhara (Tower): A shikhara tower rises above the garbha
griha (sanctum sanctorum), adding to the temple's grandeur.
Garbha Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum): The sanctum sanctorum
houses a 6-foot-tall idol of Krishna playing a flute under a tree. This idol is
intricately sculpted, depicting Krishna in a dancing posture with his left big
toe resting on the right one. The prabhavali (decorative panel) behind the idol
features carvings of a tree, Krishna's friends, his consorts Rukmini and
Satyabhama, cows, and cowherds, along with other characters and icons from
Krishna's avatar. Notably, cows and cowherds are depicted towards the right
side of the panel.
Unique Features
One unique aspect of the temple is the constant drip of cold
water above the door leading to the sanctum sanctorum, regardless of the
season. This phenomenon adds to the temple's mystic charm and draws pilgrims
and tourists alike.
In summary, the Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is not only a
site of spiritual significance but also a testament to the architectural and
cultural heritage of Karnataka. Its scenic location, combined with its rich
history and exquisite Dravidian architecture, makes it a prominent landmark in
the region.