Kalahalli Sri BhooVarahaswamy

Kalahalli – Sri BhooVarahaswamy

Kalahalli, also known as Varahanathana Kalahalli is a small hamlet in Mandya district and very near to village Bookenekere – hometown of earlier Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. It is here that the temple of Sri Varahanathaswamy - Protector of World, is situated.

This tiny hamlet of Kalahalli is situated on the right bank of river Hemavathi in Krishnarajapete taluka of Mandya district, and at a distance of 45 Km’s from Srirangapatna on Bangalore – Mysore state highway 17.

The records state that this temple was gifted to Parakala Mutt & Muzrai Department. It is believed that this Varaha Moorthy was the Samputa Moorthy of Kanva Rishi. Incidentally, Samputa Moorthy is a Moorthy that is carried by the Rishis in Palm leaves box.

The Sri Varahaswamy idol has an imposing height of 25 feet with 6 feet tall Bhoodevi or Mother Goddess sitting on his left lap. On the backside of the idol there is a Sudharshan Chakra engraved on Saligrama Shila. Shrines of Varahaswamy are very rare – 5 or 6 at best  in the entire south!

When Krishnarajasagara dam was being constructed, 24 villages were submerged. But, by the grace of Sri Varahaswamy this Village and Temple escaped from being inundated having been constructed on a high mound at the confluence of the three rivers – Cauvery, Hemavathi and  Lakshmana Theertha.

Historically speaking, this area was under the jurisdiction of the Ganga rulers of Talakadu and later this became a part of Hoysala Dynasty, followed by the empire of Vijayanagara, and finally under the Wodeyar Kingdom. The only ‘Shilashasna’ noticed at this village – now lying near the temple complex has Saka 1257 engraved on it. This period corresponds with the reign of Hoysala Veera Bhallala III.

The temple and the main idol faces east with a flight of steps leading to the main entrance. The superstructure has undergone a lot of changes from its original form. The rubble wall around the temple has functioned as a protective shield from the fiery and often flooding river Hemavathi. The temple consists of a garbhagruha (inner sanctum), Antardwara, Navaranga.

The main idol of Sri Varahaswamy with Bhoo Devi measures 25 feet. Sri Varahaswamy is seated in Sukhasana, with Goddess - Mother Earth seated on the left lap, holding a Lotus flower. Sri Varahaswamy’s left arm embraces the mother Goddess. His right lower hand is in Abhaya Mudra. The upper right and left arms hold the Chakra and Shanku (Conch) respectively. The Goddess sports the Nilothphala flower on her left arm with her right arm around the Lord’s waist. Sri Varahaswamy is seen wearing a Kirita-Mukhuta and Mother sports a Karanda-Mukhuta.

Those who wish to be married soon, pray to Mother Bhoo Devi and those who are afflicted by planet Rahu pray to the Lord and obtain freedom from Rahu Dhosha. Rahu is one of the navagrahas (nine planets) in Vedic astrology.  Astronomically, the Moon in its orbit, on a northerly course from South to North, crosses the ecliptic (apparent path of Sun). This point of intersection is known as Rahu or "Dragon's head". 180 degrees away from this point, the Moon on its southerly course crosses the ecliptic (apparent path of Sun). This point is called "the dragon’s tail" or Ketu. These are celestial occurrences; Rahu and Ketu are not real luminaries and are regarded as shadow planets. They do not have ability to cast aspects, as other planets do, they do not rule any zodiacal signs and hence are not characterized as male or female.

Interestingly, the Raja-Gopuram was built and consecrated by Parakala Mutt and Devotees of Sri Varahaswamy as recent as June, this year – 2013 AD. There are grand plans to build a spacious temple complex with a surrounding wall and a super-size door at the east entrance, in line with other Lord Vishnu temples in the south.

We, as a family visited this temple last weekend to seek the Lord’s Blessings at this picturesque place. We found this place to be historically and culturally very rich and hence recommend to one and all to pay a visit. At a distance of 170 KM’s from Bangalore, it could turn out to be a very interesting weekend getaway.