The Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple, dedicated to Bhagavan Vishnu, is located in Doddamallur village, Channapatna Taluk, Ramanagara District, Karnataka. The shrine is also famous for its subsidiary deity Ambegalu Krishna Temple.
It lies on the banks of the Kanva River, adjacent to the Bangalore–Mysore
Highway, approximately 60 km from Bangalore, 80 km from Mysore, 20 km from
Ramanagara (district headquarters), and just 3 km from Channapatna (taluk
headquarters). This is an ancient and beautiful temple.
In earlier times, the Kanva River was known as ‘Nirmala
River’, and the village was referred to as ‘Maraluru’ or ‘Manaluru’ (meaning
“sandy village” in Tamil) because of the large sandbanks along the river. Over
time, the name evolved into ‘Mallur’ or ‘Malur’.
Significance of Malur Village
According to local elders, Malur was once home to many renowned
scholars, which is why the place was known as "Jnana Mantapa Kshetra"
(Abode of Knowledge). It is believed that Lord Sri Rama stayed here during his
travels and worshipped Sri Aprameya Swamy, due to which it came to be regarded
as Dakshina Ayodhya (Southern Ayodhya).
As Sri Kailasanatha (Lord Shiva) is believed to bless
devotees here in the form of Kashi Vishwanatha, the place is also called Dakshina
Kashi (Southern Kashi). During the reign of Chola King Rajendra Simha, the
region was known as Rajendra Simha Nagara. Since all four Vedic scholars
(experts in the four Vedas) lived here and recited the Vedas before the deity,
the place also earned the name Chaturveda Mangala Pura.
About the Temple
The Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple is built in the Dravidian
architectural style, using strong stone foundations laid over sandy terrain.
Many parts of the temple walls contain inscription-style carvings, though the
content of most inscriptions is yet to be deciphered. Even the Navaranga
(pillared hall) and outer sanctum walls bear engraved texts.
Historical records indicate that the temple received royal
patronage from the Chola kings in the 4th century CE, who also made land and
wealth donations for daily offerings (naivedya) and lamp-lighting rituals for Sri
Aprameya Swamy and Sri Navaneetha Krishna.
Main Deities of the Temple
Sri Aprameya Swamy is the presiding deity. The name “Aprameya”
means "immeasurable" or "incomparable". The deity is
depicted in a standing posture with four arms, holding Shankha (conch), Chakra
(discus), Gada (mace), and showing Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness).
In the southwest corner of the temple, Sri Mahalakshmi is
consecrated under the name Sri Aravindavalli. The idol is four-armed, seated in
Padmasana, holding lotus flowers in two hands, one hand in Abhaya (blessing),
and another in Varada (boon-giving) mudra.
Ambegalu Krishna Temple
In the northwest corner, is the famous Ambegalu Krishna
(Crawling Krishna), also known as Navaneetha Krishna or Benne Krishna (Butter
Krishna). This adorable idol portrays Lord Krishna as a 6- to 8-month-old
crawling infant, holding butter in his hand, with curly hair. He is adorned
with ornaments like a tiger claw necklace, bangles, armlets, waist belt with
bells, anklets, earrings, and a silver waistband. Although Sri Aprameya Swamy
is the main deity, this Ambegalu Krishna is equally revered, and many devotees
refer to the temple simply as Ambegalu Krishna Temple.
There is a strong belief that childless couples who pray
here with devotion are blessed with children. Devotees express their gratitude
by offering gold and silver cradles, ornaments, performing special rituals like
abhisheka, tulabhara, butter alankara, and annadana (free food distribution).
Sanctum and Sub-Shrines
On either side of the temple’s main hall (maha mantapa),
there are sanctums for Alwars and Acharyas. Important idols include:
- Sri Vaikuntha Narayana Swamy with consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi
- Vishwaksena, Dwarapalakas (guards) – Jaya and Vijaya
- Alwars and Acharyas like:
- Sri Tiruppaan Alwar
- Sri Tirumangai Alwar
- Sri Nammalwar
- Madhurakavi Alwar
- Andal
- Kulasekhara Alwar
- Vedanta Desikar
- Koorath Alwar
- Pillai Lokacharya
- Sri Ramanujacharya
- Sri Manavala Mamunigal
- Sri Desikar
- Sri Kambada Anjaneya
- Sri Jagadevaraya and Manchilakumi Devi
- Annapoorna Devi, and others.
- Their Utsava Murthis (festival idols) are also consecrated within the temple.
Annual Festival – Brahma Rathotsava
The annual Brahma Rathotsava (chariot festival) of Sri
Aprameya Swamy is held every year in the Chaitra–Vaisakha months (April–May)
on the day of the Hasta Nakshatra. On that day, as the sun rises, its rays fall
directly from head to toe of the deity – a brilliant testimony to the astrological
and architectural precision of ancient temple builders.
Mythological Background
The Brahmanda Purana, authored by Sage Vyasa, contains 12
chapters describing this holy site and Sri Aprameya Swamy. These are presented
in the form of a dialogue between Lord Shiva and Sage Narada, where Shiva
reveals the greatness of Aprameya Swamy in great detail in response to Narada's
curiosity.
A verse from the Purana says:
“Ajagāma Dayā Sindhu Vaikuṇṭhāt Jñāna Maṇṭapam,
Aprārthitaḥ Svayaṁ Viṣṇu Bhakta Anugraha Kāmyayā”
Meaning:
"Out of compassion for His devotees, Lord Vishnu descended from Vaikuntha
to this sacred place, even without being called."
Historical Significance
In the 7th century CE, the Ganga kings, Bhuvikrama and Shivamara,
ruled this region from their capital at Mukundapura (present-day Mankunda) and
worshipped Sri Aprameya Swamy. Many incomplete and completed sculptures from
the Vijayanagara period can be seen in the maha mantapa. Among them is a 5-foot-tall
statue attributed to Jagadevaraya, along with an idol of Manchilakumi Devi in
standing posture.
Jagadevaraya ruled over Channapatna, Kanakanahalli
(Kanakapura), and Talakadu. It is believed that during his reign, the Rajagopura
(main temple tower) was either constructed or renovated. In 1630 CE, this
region came under the rule of the Mysore Wodeyars.
In the 13th century, Vedanta Desika, a renowned poet and
philosopher proficient in Tamil, Sanskrit, and Prakrit, visited this temple and
composed the famous hymn Gopalavimshati (20 verses) in praise of Lord
Navaneetha Krishna.
Legends of Devotion
The couple Bannur Ramarao and Lakshmidevamma, who were
childless, prayed fervently to Sri Navaneetha Krishna here, and were blessed
with a baby boy. That child grew up to become the great Vyasaraja Tirtha, a
legendary Madhwa saint and scholar, who authored the text Tarka Tandava. In his
invocation, he describes the Lord as:
“Ananta Kalyāṇa Guṇaika Rāśim,
Ashesha Doṣojjitam Aprameyam”
(“The one filled with infinite auspicious qualities, free from all faults – the
immeasurable one.”)
In the 15th century, the “father of Carnatic music,” Sri
Purandara Dasa, visited the temple, had the darshan of both Sri Aprameya Swamy
and Navaneetha Krishna, and composed the famous kriti:
"Yashoda Krishna Jaganoddharana Aadisidalu"
("Yashoda played with the child Krishna, the redeemer of the world.")
Due to the spiritual power and miracles associated with both
Sri Aprameya Swamy and Ambegalu Krishna, this temple has earned a special place
in the hearts of countless devotees.