/// HARI SARVOTHAMA - VAYU JEEVOTHAMA /// Sri Navaneeta Krishna,
Sri Ramapreya Swamy and Aravindavalli Thayar - Dodda Mallur Temple
Dodda
Mallur is a village in Channapatna Taluk in Bangalore rural district in the
Indian state of Karnataka. Mallur is located on the banks of the river Kanva.
The village is famous for its temples of Sri Aprameya Swamy and Ambegalu Krishna
(Crawling Krishna). It is approximately 60km from Bangalore in Bangalore-Mysore
state highway. It is roughly 3km from Channapatna. The idol of Ambegalu
Navaneetha Krishna (crawling Krishna with butter in hand), is believed to be the
only statue of Lord Sri Krishna in this pose. The famous Kriti (musical
composition or song) "Jagadodharana Adisidale Yasode" was composed by most
prominent composer of Carnatic music Purandaradasa in appreciation of the beauty
of this idol. Dodda Mallur is located between Bangalore and Mysore. Its 60km
from Bangalore and approximately 80km from Mysore. It is 3km from
Channapatna.
This ancient and beautiful temple is said to have witnessed
several miracles. Worshipping Lord Navaneetha Krishna here is supposed to
mitigate 'Putra Dosha' and ' Sayana Dosha'.
SANNADHIS :- There are
many Sannadhis in the temple. The presiding deity is Sri Ramapreya Swamy.
The other Sannadhis are -
The
temple is open from 8 am to 12.30 am in the morning and from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm
in the evenings.
Transport: You can reach Channapatna by Bus and Train.
From Channapatna, local autorickshaws and private vehicles transport travelers
to Doddamallur.
Legends say that Goddess Maha Lakshmi was born in a lotus
flower in Vishnu Teertham, which is to the North-West of the temple. The Goddess
is known as Aravindavalli and is the presiding Goddess in the
temple.
Legends also mention that Lord Aprameya was worshipped by King
Vijayapala in Krutha Yuga, sage Kanva in Thretha Yuga, sage Lambha Shrava in
Dwapara Yuga and Vigyanaeshwara in Kali Yuga. Sage Kapila spread the message of
Lord Aprameya. It is believed that even today, sage Kapila, sage Kanva stay here
and worship Lord Aprameya. Once the temple is locked by priest in the night,
people say that they hear the sound of door opening in the sanctum sanctorum and
temple bells ringing, which indicates the Amara Jeevi sages praying Lord
Aprameya.
SHRI APRAMEYA TEMPLE is a very ancient structure. Some
historians date it back 3000 years, but local historic documents date it not
less than 1500 years. There is a written document preserved to date, which
mentions the Kainkaryam of lighting Nanda Deepam to Lord Aprameya in the year
980. This is a proof of the temple’s existence in that period.
Legend has
it that Lord Rāma stayed here, in Dakshina Ayodhya, for many years and during
this time, he worshipped Lord Aprameya. Hence Lord Aprameya is also known as
Sriramaprameya. Lord Rāma also performed Homams and other rituals in this place
and even to this day, there are remnants of the structures where he conducted
the Yagnams. In Kshetram Mahatmiyam Kandam of Brahmanda Purana there is a
description of Lord Aprameya in twelve chapters.
The specialty of the
temple is it is standing on sand and not on any solid foundation. It appears
from the style of construction of the temple, that it was expanded during the
regimes of certain kings who ruled Mallur in the past.
Standing outside
the temple, one can see the towering and beautiful Raja Gopuram. Built in the
dravidian architectural style, one finds sculptures from the Dasa Avataram
adorning the side walls (Madal) of the Raja Gopuram. The Maha Dwaram is 30 feet
high. Opposite the Maha Dwaram is the tall Deepa Sthambam made from a single
stone which vies with the Maha Dwaram in height, at 30 feet. Facing the
Rajagopuram, is the Purandaradasa Mantapam, a tribute to the composer of the
famous krithi “Jagadoddharana Adisidalu Yashoda” which immortalizes his ecstasy
on seeing the Navaneetha Krishna here, for generations to come.
This is
the sannidhi of Sri Aravindavalli Thāyar. As Goddess Maha Lakshmi was born in a
Lotus flower in Vishnu Theertham (to the North West of the temple), she is known
as Aravindavalli. She is seated in the Padmasana posture on a Lotus. Thāyar is
giving darshan with her Chaturbhujams, holding Lotus flowers in the two upper
hands and blessing devotees with two hands in Varadha and Abhaya postures. In
the same Sanctorum you will find idols of Sri Andāl Thāyār and Sri
Desikan.
As you proceed to the North Western ramparts of the temple, the
next Sannidhi you see is that of the renowned Lord Navaneetha (Thavazrar/ambegal
(Crawling)) Krishna. This Krishna figures in a lot of Purānas. It is believed
that Sage Vyasa did the Prathishta of this Vigraham. This lovely, adorable
Krishna Vigraham depicts Him in a crawling pose, holding his favorite butter in
his right hand. It appears as if Lord Krishna is crawling towards you to invoke
the maternal instincts within you, compelling you to spontaneously shower your
love on him. His face is like Poorna Chandra Bimbam, his doe-like eyes are very
attractive and the curly locks of his hair are a sight to behold. This Neela
Megha Shayma is crawling on a Garuda Peetam. He is adorned with a lot of jewels
like amulets, chains, necklaces and anklets. He flaunts his Pulinagam (Tiger
Claws dollar) as if to show off his prowess while the priests make sure he wears
it to avoid Kan Dristi Dosham from his many devotees ogling at his boundless
beauty! While drinking in this lovely sight, you may think you heard the
jingling of bells from the cord he wears around his waist and the gorgeous
anklets adorning his tender ankles, as he crawls closer to your
heart!!
His beauty inspired Purandara dasa to compose the popular krithi
“Jagadoddharana Adisidalu Yashoda” when he visited this sannidhi. The delicious
Navaneetham he is holding in his right hand is no ordinary butter but Gnyanam
(self realization) shaped like a butter ball. Parandhāman is willing to share
this precious treat with you, if only you ask him for it, with a true mind.
Another boon that this God is famous for granting is the gift of children to
those who need it. The loads of silver and wooden cradles in the Sannidhi
offered by people desirous of begetting offspring stand testimony to this
fact.
You are now in the divine presence of the majestic looking Moola
Moorthy of Lord Sri Aprameya made of Sāligrāma Shilā. It is an ancient Idol of
the Lord.’ Prameyā’ means measurable quantity, Aprameyā means immeasurable and
since his mercy is of immeasurable quantity, he is called so His two upper
arms are holding the Shanka and Chakra and in the lower two arms are the Gadhā
and Padma in the Abhayahastam mudra. The Shukanāsika Mantapam houses Lord
Aprameya’s Uthsavar in a sandal wood Mantapam. He is bedecked with jewelry. This
Uthsavar is a replica of the Moolavar and is extremely beautiful. Uthsavar is
accompanied by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi thāyars. The Divine trio are accompanied
by a Uthsavar Moorthy of Lord Ramanuja and it appears as if he is doing
Kainkaryam to the
Trinity.