On my recent trip to Mysore, I had the fortune to visit Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple. Located at a distance of 37 km from the city of Mysuru and set against the backdrop of the Kaveri River, the temple is set in a tranquil setting.
The Venugopala Swamy Temple is a historical and architectural marvel dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is worshipped here as Venugopala Swamy. There are several temples by this name across India, but one of the most renowned is the Venugopala Swamy Temple at Hosa Kannambadi, near Mysuru (Mysore) in Karnataka.
Reaching the Venugopala Swamy Temple
As mentioned, the Venugopala Swamy Temple is located as a distance of 37 km from Mysuru and about 10 km from the famed Brindavan Gardens, a popular tourist spot in Mysuru. To reach the temple you have to drive down along the perimeter of the reservoir formed on the Kaveri River.
The only way to reach is by car, and it takes a little over an hour to reach the temple. The last 2-3 km of the road is terrible, full of stones and craters, and can be a difficult bit for joint pain patients and the elderly, but if you can manage it, the experience of visiting the temple can be very exhilarating.
History of Venugopala Swamy Temple Mysore
The Venugopala Swamy Temple was originally built in the 12th century by the Hoysala Empire. The Hoysalas were known for their distinctive and intricate architectural style, which is evident in the temple’s design.
The temple was submerged during the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam in the early 20th century. As a result, it remained underwater for several decades.
In the early 2000s, efforts were made to relocate and restore the temple. The temple was carefully dismantled and reconstructed stone by stone at Hosa Kannambadi, a few kilometers away from its original location. The restoration process was meticulous, preserving the temple’s original artistry and architectural integrity.
The Experience of Visiting Venugopala Swamy Temple
Once you approach a temple you will find a narrow road dotted with few stalls and shops. There is also a government-authorised handicrafts and silk shop. On crossing these, you will reach the fairly large parking area. However, this parking area also gets full during weekends and special holiday seasons.
From the parking, you will get to view the rock structure of the temple against the vast expanse of backdrop of the Kaveri River. There is a stone pathway that leads to the temple. At the start of the pathway, there is a fairly small shoe rack. Once you cross the pathway, you will reach the first gate of the temple. From here on, photography is strictly prohibited. There are several guards who ensure that you adhere to this rule.
The gate itself is huge and made of stone. You will find intricate carvings and mirrors in the small hallway that finally leads to a raised platform that surrounds the actual garbha griha. This raised platform has multiple temples, each showcasing a different avatar of Lord Vishnu. There are some temples dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and her different forms and some of the Saptarishis (seven sages as per Hindu scriptures).
The main sanctum sanctorum is located at the center of the temple. The best thing about this temple is that it is spotlessly clean and uses only natural light. There is not a single source of electric light here. The garbha griha is dark and lit only using oil lamps and diyas, giving the entire atmosphere an ethereal quality.
The prasad that you get from this temple also is as pristine as the surroundings – pure tulsi leaves (basil leaves).
Best Time to Visit Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple Mysore
The temple gets crowded on weekends. The parking area outside is huge but still not sufficient for the crowds that throng here. On holidays and festivals, the queues can be really long.
The best time to visit is just before dusk or early morning when the temple is resplendent in the rays of the sun. You can plan to visit from November to March when the weather is pleasant.
I visited just before dusk, during May end, and I could complete my visit in under 15 mins.
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If you are looking for something in Sikkim, check Tsomgo Lake and Batasia Loop. If you are looking for some jungle safari read, Gir Safari, or Bandipur Safari, feel blessed at Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple in Mysore.
If you are looking for places to visit in the Andaman Islands, please check my posts on Radhanagar Beach & Ross Island.
If you are looking for other options, check my posts on Murud Janjira, Kashid, Pirwadi Beach and Kihim Beach in Maharashtra or Malshej Ghat, Matheran Resorts, Kailash Temple Ellora & Mahabaleshwar.
Alternatively, if you are interested in some Religious tourism, please check my posts on Golden Temple, Kamakhya, Trimbakeshwar, Somnath Temple and Kashi Vishwanath. If you are looking for North East Adventure tours, check my posts on Shillong, Meghalaya, Dawki, Double Decker Living Root Trek, and 7-Day North East Itinerary.
For some adventure tours in the south check out Mandalpatti Trek.
If you are looking for some spirituality, you can check out Ganga Aarti in Dashashwamedh Ghat or Ghats in Varanasi.
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