The Nagalamadike Subramanya Temple is located 15 km from Pavagada, Tumkur District in Karnataka. The shrine is dedicated to Subrahmanya but famous as a snake temple. The main temple premises also houses the temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Anjaneya. The temple is open in the morning between 8 AM and 1 PM and in the evening from 4 PM to 7 PM.
History of Nagalamadike Subramanya Temple And Annabhatta
This temple has a history of about 500 years. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire.
The temple was established by an ancestor named Annabhatta. He was a great devotee who used to walk barefoot for months to visit the famous Kukke Subramanya Temple, located in Sullia Taluk near Dharmasthala.
Bhagavan Sri Rama and Lakshmana is believed to have stayed here during their search for Mata Sita in the Ramayana.
The Chariot Festival Miracle
On one occasion, during the Brahma Rathotsava (Grand Chariot Festival) at Kukke Subramanya Temple, the temple chariot would not move even when devotees tried to pull it.
At that moment, it is believed that Lord Subramanya possessed a young Brahmin boy and declared:
“My devotee is arriving from afar. The chariot must not be pulled until he arrives.”
Soon after, Annabhatta arrived after taking a holy bath in the Kumaradhara River and completing his daily rituals.
When he touched the chariot, it immediately started moving.
Honor from the Temple
Seeing this miracle, the temple authorities honored Annam Bhatta according to Shaiva Agama traditions. They performed special rituals and gave him tirtha (holy water) and prasada.
They also presented him with a sacred Panchaloha idol of Lord Subramanya, shaped like a seven-hooded serpent (Utsava Vigraha) from the temple sanctum.
Since Annabhatta was growing old and could not frequently travel to Kukke Subramanya, the temple authorities requested him to worship this idol in his village.
Divine Dream and Discovery Of Nagalamadike Subramanya
Annabhatta brought the idol back and informed the villagers about the divine events. He began daily Shodashopachara (16-step ritual worship) near the riverbank using two stone slabs.
After a few days, Lord Subramanya appeared to him in a dream and said:
“I am present in the Uttara Pinakini River.”
The next day, Annabhatta shared the dream with villagers. They searched the river and ploughed areas where stones were found.
Eventually, they discovered a serpent-shaped idol coiled three times with seven hoods, exactly as described in the dream.
Origin of the Name “Nagalamadike”
Since then the place got the name Nagalamadaka (in Telugu) where ‘Nagalu’ means snake and ‘Madaka’ meant plough. Later it came to be known as Nagalamadike (in Kannada).
The village name came from two Kannada words:
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“Naga / Nagalu” – Snake
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“Madike / Madaka” – Plough
Thus the place came to be called Nagalamadike, meaning “the place where the serpent was discovered through ploughing.”
First Devotee and Temple Builder
One of the earliest devotees was Roddham Balasubbayya, a trader from Ballari.
He transported goods using donkeys, horses, and bullock carts, traveling up to the Andhra Pradesh border for trade.
Often, when he reached the temple area at night, it would be dark, so he stayed there overnight.
After some time, he prayed sincerely to Lord Subramanya:
“If I am blessed with children and good profit in my business, I will offer food (Annadanam) to devotees.”
Lord Subramanya appeared in his dream in the form of a Brahmin and said:
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He would be blessed with children.
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He would receive great business profit.
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The next morning he would find 25 coins to start trading.
Exactly as foretold, he found the coins and used them for business, gaining great success. Out of gratitude, he built the temple and began Annadanam (food donation).
Even today, his descendants continue the tradition of offering 10 sacks of rice for feeding devotees from Pushya Shuddha Chavithi to Shashti.
Special Miracles and Beliefs of Nagalamadike
Devotees believe that prayers here help solve many problems such as:
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Ear disorders
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Stomach pain
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Childlessness
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Evil eye (Drishti Dosha)
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Skin diseases
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Various life difficulties
Offering Annadanam to Lord Subramanya is believed to bring great blessings.
The Three Sacred Subramanya Temples
According to belief:
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Adi Subramanya Temple – represents the head
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Ghati Subramanya Temple – represents the waist
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Nagalamadike Subramanya Temple – represents the tail
It is believed that all doshas (afflictions) are removed at the “tail” temple.
Devotees also believe that visiting all three temples in one day and having Shikhara Darshan (viewing the temple towers) frees a person from rebirth.
Nagalamadike Subramanya Temple Festivals and Rituals
Major festivals at the temple include:
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Margashira Shuddha Shashti
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Pushya Shuddha Shashti
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Magha Shuddha Shashti
During these days:
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Brahmarathotsava (Chariot Festival) is held
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Special rituals and prayers are conducted
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Annadanam (free food service) is offered
Annadanam is also provided every Tuesday and Sunday for visiting devotees.
Miracle During the Chariot Festival
During the Rathotsava, a heap of cooked rice is placed with the idol of Lord Subramanya on top.
After the prayer (Sankalpa) is recited, the heap of rice splits into two parts like a moving serpent.
Because of this miracle, the deity here is called “Sanchari Nagappa” (the moving serpent).
Devotees who consume this prasada believe their problems are resolved.
Temple Inscriptions and Location
Ancient stone inscriptions exist behind the temple.
The temple is located near the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border, though it belongs to Karnataka.
Annual Fair
During the Pushya month (January) a large cattle fair and festival is held. The event includes:
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Sweet shops
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Traveling cinemas
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Various market stalls
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Special religious celebrations
Rituals such as Sarpa Samskara, Nagaprathista, Naga Dosha Parihara, Ashlesha Bali and others are performed here.