Govardhanagiri, also known as Kamalachala, is now popularly known as Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta. It is located in Gundlupet Taluk, Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka State in South India. The temple is renowned for its fascinating story dating back to the Dwapara Yuga. Here is a look at the popular story associated with Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple
The Grand Wedding of Goddess Girija (Parvathi to Shiva)
In the Dwapara Yuga, the wedding celebration of Girija, the
daughter of Himavantha, the king of the snow-clad mountains, with Shiva was
planned to be held in Kashi, North India. This grand event was to be attended
by Brahma, Vishnu, all the great sages including Vyasa and Parashara, and
thirty-three crore Devatas.
The Earth’s Balance in Peril
The unprecedented congregation of celestial powers in Kashi
posed a grave threat to the balance of Earth. Brahma and the Devatas feared
that such a massive assembly in one place could tilt the Earth towards Patalam
(the underworld). To avert this catastrophe, they requested the great sage
Agastya to travel to South India and act as a counterweight. It is believed
that the holiness and piety of Sage Agastya was equal to that of all the saints
and devatas assembled at Kashi.
Agastya's Divine Journey
Sage Agastya agreed to their request and, after collecting
holy waters from various rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna in his kamandala (a
water-carrying vessel), set off for South India. Before his departure, the
Devatas made another appeal to him.
The Tussle Between Mountains
There was a constant struggle for superiority between Maha
Meru Parvata and the Mountain King Vindhya, a disciple of Sage Agastya. In a
display of power, Vindhya grew so tall that he obstructed the movement of the
Sun and the Moon, plunging South India into darkness. The Devatas pleaded with
Sage Agastya to resolve this issue.
Agastya’s Clever Solution
On his way, Sage Agastya visited the Vindhya Mountains. King
Vindhya, seeing his guru, respectfully bowed his head. Seizing the opportunity,
Sage Agastya ordered Vindhya to remain in that position until his return from
South India, effectively stopping the mountain’s growth and ending the dispute.
Seeking Divine Assistance
Agastya continued his journey and reached the Sahyadri
Mountains, where he prayed to Bhagavan Sri Krishna for assistance in his divine
task. Pleased with Agastya’s penance, Bhagavan Krishna appeared before him and
granted him a boon.
Establishing the Temple
Sage Agastya requested Bhagavan Sri Krishna to settle on the
Kanakachala Mount of the Sahyadri Range along with his consorts, Rukmini and
Satyabhama. Bhagavan Sri Krishna agreed on the condition that proper shelters
be provided for devotees and that the seven sages (Saptarishis) offer worship
there throughout the year. Sage Agastya accepted these conditions and
consecrated the place of worship by installing an idol of Bhagavan Sri Krishna,
made of black stone, accompanied by his consorts, cows, gopikas, and his friend
Makaranda.
The Eternal Worship
The idol of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, resting under a Mandhara
(Suravanya) tree, depicts him in three different postures. It is believed that
even today, the Saptarishis offer daily worship to Lord Krishna at the Sri
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple on the snow-capped Govardhanagiri.
This rich tapestry of myth and devotion envelops the Himavad
Gopalaswamy Temple, making it a revered site that continues to draw pilgrims
and devotees from far and wide.