Champakadhama Swamy Temple

Champakadhama Swamy Temple is situated near Bengaluru and very near to the famous Bannerghatta Zoo. I am sure you must have missed the temple while visiting the zoo. The Champakadhama Swamy temple is in Bannerghatta town of Bengaluru district in the state of Karnataka.

History of Champakadhama Swamy Temple

The present Bannerghatta National Forest region was formerly a forest of Champaka trees and tapo bhumi of great sages. It was covered with Champaka Trees and known as Champakaranya. And the Deity of the temple is known as Champakaraya.

Below the present temple of Champakadhama Swamy there was a temple of Lord Sri Rama in Treta-yuga and Lord Sri Krishna in Dwapara-yuga. At present, in the Kali-yuga the Champakadhama swamy is Lord Narayana and the temple was originally established by the Pandavas.

Architecture of Champakadhama Swamy Temple

The temple is built in Dravidian style and consists of the Raja-gopuras, the two main halls, half mantapa, Sukhanasi, and Sanctum Sanctorum. The Sanctum Sanctorum enshrines the deity of Lord Champakaraya along with two consorts Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Bhoodevi.

The temple dates to 12th century. Inscriptions found here points the temple structure was built in 1257 AD during the Hoysala period and later developed by Vijayanagara dynasty. There is a mysterious Kalyani associated with this temple.

The Mystery of Kalyani

Maharaja Janamejaya, a descendant of the Pandavas, was suffering from a disease. To overcome his sufferings he seeked an advice of the sages. The rishis told him that all his sufferings would be vanished only by visiting the temples built by his ancestors.

Hearing this Janamejaya decided to have darshan of all temples. While he was on a pilgrimage, he came across Champakadhama Swamy Temple [Champakaraya temple], which was built by Pandavas. He immediately began the seva of Lord Champakaraya.

A dog accompanied Janamejaya Maharaja. It also suffered from the same disease. Being thirsty in the middle of the forest, the dog saw the Kalyani. It immediately drank the water from Kalyani to quench its thirst. As soon as the dog touched the water, it got freed from the disease. Seeing this incident Janamejaya immediately took bath in the Kalyani. As soon as he bathed, King got freed from the disease.

Instantly Lord Hanuman appeared and blessed Janamejaya. Hanuman informed him that the Kalyani was his abode and the tirtha possess great qualities, medical properties, and virtue of curing all diseases. The Kalyani is known as Swarnamukhi. A Deity of Hanuman is situated at the bottom of the Kalyani.

The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

On the hill behind the Champakadhama Swamy temple, there is a Lakshmi-Narasimha Swamy temple. A series of steeps lead to the Narasimha Swamy temple on the top of the hill. Behind the temple in the middle of the forest the mysterious Kalyani is located.

During the fair which is also known as the jatra, there is a ritual of worshipping Lord Hanuman by draining the water in Kalyani. And on every new moon day, devotees gather in large numbers for taking bath in this Kalyani.

Festivals celebrated in Champakadhama Swamy Temple

After Ugadi various celebrations are performed like Brahma Rathotsava, Kalyanotsava, etc.

The temple timings of Champakadhama Swamy Temple

Champakaraya Swamy Temple is open throughout year every day from morning 6.00 AM to 12:00 PM and Evening 05:00 pm to 07:00 PM.

How to reach Champakadhama Swamy Temple

The best way to reach temple is to join Tirtha Yatra and get your tour organised.

By Road: Champakaraya Swamy Temple is 32 km from Bengaluru. Road transport can be easily availed. Regular bus service and taxis are also available from Bengaluru.

By Rail: Bengaluru railway station is the nearest railway station. It is well-connected by important towns of India.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Bengaluru. Buses and private taxies are available from this airport location.