A view of Kumara Parvata, where Sri Vishnutirtharu is believed to be in Tapas.
Image of Laksminarayana worshipped by Sri Vishnutirtharu at Sri Samputa Narasimha Swami Mutt, Subrahmanya.
आनन्दतीर्थं विभुमप्रमेयं विद्यासुपूर्णं परतः परेशं |
This Blog is for all who try to look at Life as It is!
A view of Kumara Parvata, where Sri Vishnutirtharu is believed to be in Tapas.
Image of Laksminarayana worshipped by Sri Vishnutirtharu at Sri Samputa Narasimha Swami Mutt, Subrahmanya.
आनन्दतीर्थं विभुमप्रमेयं विद्यासुपूर्णं परतः परेशं |
SAVANA
DURGA
Trekkers’
Delight
Savana Durga is a
well-known trekking hill near Bengaluru. This Asia’s largest mono-lithic rock
mountain is located 60 KMs West away from Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka. It
was for some time, a second (summer)
capital of many local royal chieftains. Rulers of Hoysala, Magadi, Vijayanagar,
Mysru wodeyars, and other dynasties
ruled here ever since AD. 1350. The name, Savina Durga’, ‘fortress of death’
seems to be the appropriate name of the hill. Even today, local elderly
people remember the older name as Dabbugundu- rock to push an enemy, invader
or a culprit.
Lavanis or folk songs
of this region refer to many heroic deeds of local pallegars, chieftains, who
used the tough and steep rocks for dumping anti-social or criminal war detainees.
Even to this day, the two hills- Karigudda (black hill), and Biligudda,
white hill, are well known for steep mountaineering adventures. Trekkers quite
often visit this place on Holidays and weekends to try their sport. The hill is
about 1226 meters above sea level, and a part of Deccan Peninsula. River
Arkavathi flows through nearby Thippagondana Halli lake, earlier main water
source for the ever-growing city of Bengaluru, until river Kaveri made her way
into the IT Town.
History:
Savanna Durga has seen
ups and downs in the history of Karnataka. This hill fort was an important part
of III Anglo-Mysuru war in 1791, when the fort was captured by Lord Cornwallis.
The names that appeared earlier was Savandi, in a Hoysala inscription of 1340
AD. The earliest record of the name of the hill is from 1340 AD by Mummadi
Ballala, ( Ballala III ) of Hoysala dynasty, from Madabalu village, where it is
called Savandi. Another view is that the name originated from Samantadurga.
A fort built or
developed by one Samantharaya, a governor under King
Ahchutaraya at Magadi, says a local legend, although there is no inscription confirming
this. This was the secondary capital of the Magadi rulers like Veera
Kempegowda. From 1638 to 1728, Mysore Wodeyars took over this place and a local
leader, a dalavayi occupied this place with a palace built at
Nelapattna, a town down the hill. In 1780, lord Cornwallis seized the
fort from solders of Tippu Sultan, during the III Mysore
war. Later the British Sergeants might have used this as summer resort.
Siege of Savandoorg happens to be a very important event in the
history of Karnataka, establishing the supremacy of colonial rulers
overpowering the new and weak Mysore Wodeyar dynasty then, just founded by
Yaduvarayaru. This fort was later used by others for storing defence armoury,
and waging war with the enemies, using the local hilly tribe soldiers. Human
habitats are sparingly found in downtown.
Savandi Veerabhadra and
Savandi Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temples were built downhill, during this time.
It is very curious to know that though Shiva- Vishnu were given equal priority
in worship those days, their fierce forms of Veerabhadra and Narasimha are
installed in temples of Bengaluru- Tumkur and Kolar Districts of this period.
We find Yoga Narasimha at Devarayan durga, in nearby Tumkur district, and
several Kala Bhairava or Virbhadra temples in Kolar and other nearby
places. Some people here worship both as house deities. That the hill was
a place of residence for tribal people, is evident from the fact that during
annual car festival, the members of this community are the first to draw the
chariot of Bhagavan Shiva Virbhadra and Narasimha Swamy. A large number of local
people gather each year for the annual festivities in Shravana, and Magha (
August & March) months of the year.
Early humans lived
here:
Excavations carried out
in this area have revealed that human
beings lived here as early as Megalithic civilization (4500-1000 B.C.) A
large number of urns, small pots found here in caves are known to have used as
vessels used in cremation of the dead. A number of caves have been discovered
in nearby hill areas. Rivulets and streams dot this area during rainy season. Settlements
of early man is also found in Devarayan Durga and Magadi, nearby places.
Megalith or large stone and mortar structures are found near this place.
Trekking place:
Earlier, there were no
steps to reach the hill top and it was covered by bamboos and other trees
forming a barricade. Later rulers made a crude approach road to reach the top
of hills. There are stories in local folklore about using large sized
Chameleons to lift heavy material top from foothills.
Professional Trekkers
identify trekking routes from simple to hard ways. There is about 750 to 900 ft
of technical climb, to South of the monolith by routes- Moon light
(Beladingalu), Kothi Dina (Simple monkey day), Deepavali (trade route).
Each route is followed by a distinct group of Trekkers. Easiest among this is
named Cloud Nine’. The entire trekking journey can be completed by half a day
or so depending on time of the year and other factors. Every trekker will
carry sufficient water and something to munch, as they are not available here.
Skandagiri, Bidadibetta, Nandi hills, Bannerughatta are places for
trekking. Trekking camps are held regularly to educate, promote and encourage
this adventure sport. the time This place welcomes tourist most months of the
year except rainy days of August, when the road and hill is very slippery.
Public transport is available from Bengaluru though sparingly.
Parking for vehicles is
available near the temple premises. Nearby places of tourist interest are
Magadi town, about 18 Kms from here, with several temples,
Thippagondanahalli reservoir, also called Chamaraja sagar, located at the
meeting place of two rivers- Arkavati and Kumudvati, which supply water to
parts of West Bengaluru, and also a major source of drinking water.
Savana Durga is about
90 Kms from Bengaluru International Airport, 66 Kms from KSRTC Bus Station and
KSR Bengaluru City Railway Station. November to June is best time of the year
to visit this place.
Once we reach Sringeri, abode of Goddess of learning Sharda, and Adi Shankara, great spiritual master of our country, the place is bound to enchant us with serenity, greenery, scenic beauty, natural water falls and the like. The intriguing word ‘entrusted to Kigga ‘ means a narrow cliff in native Kannada, located in Chikkamagalur ( earlier Kadur) District.
This place is connected to sage Rishyashringa, (son of Vibhandaka), who had never seen a woman in his life till he was invited by King Dasharatha, Sri Rama’s father, to bring rains to the parched Ayodhya, during his rule. Arduous task of bringing this strange lad was entrusted to divine damsels- Apsaras. The story concludes with the king giving his daughter ( foster) Shanta, in marriage to Rishyashringa. Later the sage is believed to have observed Tapas at this cliff-Kigga, hence the name Rishya Shringeshvara to Lord Shiva, who blessed him.
This hamlet is on the outskirts of Sringeri 4.5 Kms away perching on an elevated land with a Jain basadi looking structure of Malahanikarshvara ( remover of sins) Lord Shiva, in an unusual shape of Shiva Linga emerging out of a bearded Rishi, and later added by his consort Parvati. The solitary shrine of Shiva has about 30 steps to climb on the left of Sringeri- Sirimane natural waterfalls. It can be reached by autorikshas with not so bargainable rate.
The temple is open up to 12 noon and pujas are performed by a resident archak on request. It is a country-tiled stone structure, with a central hall, pillars and sanctum sanctorum of Shiva. Shrine of Parvati is a later addition with nava grahas and roughly structured image of Ganesha ( drawn by mystic saint of Sringeri Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Swamiji, a mystic with a turmeric root, now sculpted) and Kshetrapala Virabhadra shrines. Generally, local villagers regularly visit this place, often dotted by tourists.
A little further, we find Sirimane natural water falls, maintained by the Department of Forests. Usually, only youngsters visit this falls to play in water and have a natural shower, after getting down nearly 800 steps, of course, guarded by strong metal grills on either side. We can have a beautiful view of malanadu, with blue sky on top and cloud covered greenery on either side. It is a great fun and pleasure to bathe in cool, refreshing natural waters from atop the hills of Tunga belt. A nominal entry fee of Rs. 50/ is to be paid, and children are not allowed to visit this place for safety. A great place to visit, when you are near Sringeri Sharada temple.
- Gramadevata of Mulabagilu
- I have been occasionally visiting a small cave temple, dedicated to Nancharamma ( Nacharamma) at the hill outside y home town, Mulabagilu, Kolar District on Bengaluru -Chennai, Tirupati Highway. (NH4), since from my boyhood at Mulbagal. My understanding is Nachiyar- Goddess in Tamil. Many times, we used to reach out this almost open temple, (now closeted), on our way to Vinayaka temple, on the other side at be Kurudumale. A rock edict, in Kannada was discovered dated- 1416, where some grants are made by Proudhadevaraaya to the shrine, fetching some grains and money.
Shiva is one among
Vedic trinity. Brahma God of Creation, Vishnu the protector and Shiva the
destroyer of this universe. Srishti, Sthiti and Laya are three aspects of our eco
system. Lord Shiva is very popular God who can be easily pleased- Kshipra
Prasada. His form is very simple, mostly as a lump or Lingam, he is pleased
with ablution of water. “Abhishekapriyo Rudrah’ say scriptures.
Shiva group of Gods has
Parvati, his consort, Ganapati, Skanda his sons, and a host of attendants named
Pramatha Ganas. All temples of
Bhagavan Shiva have shrines of Parvati, Ganapati, Skanda, and Pramathas. Shiva’s
attendants are called Pramathas. They
are quite a few in number, mainly Nandi, Bhringi, Rita. Virabhadra, Chandisha, being
main among them. They have been
mentioned and described in Shiva, Linga, Brahmanda and Skanda Puranas.
Nandi, also called Vrishabha
happens to be Shiva’s vehicle, looking
like a white bull, but he is very wise among his staff. Nandi is the son of
Shilada Muni, is fortunate to serve Lord
Shiva as his door keeper and vehicle, always very close to the Shiva couple. He
is highly blessed. He is also depicted as the monkey-faced (Kapimukha)
We have an interesting story
of the powerful king of Lanka- Ravana confronting Nandi by his strength. When Ravana
was returning after defeating Kubera, his vehicle stops at the birth place of
Skanda, Sharavana forest. He tries to barge into Kailasa to meet Lord Shiva who is in his private
palace with Parvati. Nandi obstructs him.
Raged by this, Ravana
fights with him and gets defeated in the fight. Nandi curses the proud Ravana
for making fun of him, mocking him as monkey-faced and ugly, that if
so …he will be destroyed by ugly looking monkeys and bear. The form of Nandi is
sometimes human and finds a place in all Shiva temples facing towards the Lord.
Veerabhadra is another
attendant who emerges out of Shiva’s form, when Shiva’s father in-law Daksha Prajapati
performs a great Yajna without inviting Shiva. Parvati as Sati immolates herself in self-created fire,
as she is insulted by her father, later to get married as Parvati, born as daughter
of Himavan. Virabhadra shrines are found in many parts of South India. He carries
weapons and always fierce (Bhikara) in appearance.
Riti or Rita is son of Uddalaka Muni, and a great devotee
of Lord Shiva from his childhood. He serves the lord in the form of a horse. He
is a musician like Tumburu, who usually plays on stringed ( tantrivadyas) instruments.
Bhrungi is another
close attendant of Lord Shiva, who takes the form of a Bee to serve him. He is always
singing the praise of Lord and kills a demon, who tries to approach Parvati to
disturb her deep in penance. Some Parvati temples, and Vanadurga shrines are
common with Bhringi, in coastal areas.
Chandisha or
Chandikeshvara is another close attendant of the lord whose shrine is
invariably built outside the temple in a cave looking structure,in the inner
premises of the main temple. It is a well-known custom to Shiva devotees to clap before him 3 times to mark
their attendance of having visited Shiva. He is believed to have born an innocent
shepherd boy, and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He used to worship a heap of
soil (Mrittika Lingam) as Shiva Lingam, with utmost devotion.
Pleased by his devotion, the Lord makes him as
one of his personal attendants in Kailas. He also accompanies Veerabhadra in
destroying Daksha Yajnam, by pushing hard Pooshan, one among forms of Suryadeva
( Sun god), by breaking his teeth, since
he mocked at him by showing his teeth.
The Sixth Skandha of
Srimad Bhagavatam begins with the story of Ajamila, who lived in
Kanyakubja, lead a wayward life in spite of his good parentage and learning. He
was a man of good character till his early youth, performing daily vedic
rituals, prayers, affectionate to his parents and children and very helpful for
many others. He was a committed householder, having a loving wife and
children.
When
he had gone out of town with some of his friends, he met a beautiful woman, and
was very badly attracted to this woman of doubtful character. She
appeared to him extremely beautiful and voluptuous. In spite
of his early efforts to move away from her, he fell into a trap of carnal
pleasures. He left his parents, noble wife and family, and permanently joined
his new found women of bad character, due to his ego and lust which blinded
him.
Ajamila
forgot his parents, loving family, people who respected him, and good
friends only to be with this woman forgetting all his responsibility. He began
his new life with her, spent all his time, wealth, and youth with her. He had
children with her also. Now the once good person had turned alcoholic,
lazy and irresnow ponsible for what he did. He had forgotten all his daily
chores of worship to Devatas, scholars and noble souls. Women, wine and wealth
had spoiled him very badly. However, by choice as it were, named his youngest
son among his ten children from his new women as Narayana.
Ajamila
was now aged, crippled with sickness and bed ridden. He liked his youngest son
and used to call him often for anything he needed. He was nearing his death
each day due to old age and sickness. He was 88 now, unable to walk freely or
help himself. Ajamila’s time to die was nearing. His health deteriorated each
day. Messengers of the lord of death, Yama appeared to him in his
semi-conscious state. They were red eyed, looked ferocious and the old man, as
usual called his son’ Narayana!’, in agony and pain.
When
this name was called out louder and louder, messengers of Gods rushed towards
him. There was a heated discussion and quarrel among both the messengers of
Yama and gods. Finally, Yama’s messengers had to return disappointed though
since they were not supposed to touch and carry anyone who utters the sacred
name of Narayana.
Messengers
of Devas have a message: .
वेदप्रणिहितो
धर्मः धर्मस्य प्रभुरच्युतः
वेदो
नारायणः साक्षात् स्वयम्भूरिव शुश्रुम ||
One
has to follow conduct as per Vedas, not against them, which is termd adharma.
Veda is only the Knowledge of Supreme, Narayana.
तस्मात् संकीर्तनं विष्णोः जगन्मङ्गलमम्हसाम्
महतामपि कौरव्य विध्येकान्त विनिष्क्रुतं।।
Hence,
the easiest and certain way of reaching God is repeating his sacred name as and
when it is possible. It removes our sins effectively. This applies to all,
whether great, mediocre or mean beings. This episode of Ajamila conveys a
strong message of the greatness of Nama Sankirtanam, as a regular habit, which
makes us morally and spiritually strong.
ನಟರಾಜನ ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಕಲಾದೇಗುಲ
ತಮಿಳು ನಾಡಿನ ಕಡಲೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಚಿದಂಬರಂ ದೇವಾಲಯವು
ಇಡೀ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿನ ಶಿವ ದೇವಾಲಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟವಾದದ್ದು.
ಈ ಪುಟ್ಟ ಊರು ಪ್ರಾಚೀನ ಶಿವ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಷ್ಟು ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಇದರ ಪೌರಾಣಿಕ ಕಥೆ, ಮಹಾತ್ಮೆಗಳು
ಹೆಚ್ಚೇನೂ ಕಾಣಸಿಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಕಡಲ ಕಿನಾರೆಯ ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶವನ್ನು 10ನೆಯ ಶತಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದ
ಚೋಳ ದೊರೆಗಳು ತಿಲ್ಲೈ ನಟರಾಜನನ್ನೇ ತಮ್ಮ ಕುಲದೇವತೆಯಾಗಿ ಪೂಜಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದವರು.
ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಡುಮರಗಳ ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶ ಶಿವ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರವಾಯಿತು.
ಪುರಾತನ ತಮಿಳು ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯವಾದ ಸಂಗಂ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಕಾಲದ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಕಾಣಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ.
9-10ನೆಯ ಶತಮಾನ ಚೋಳರು ಇದನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ರಾಜಧಾನಿಯಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ ಕಾರಣ ಇಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಪುರಾತನ ಶಿವ ಕಾಮಿಯಮ್ಮನ್
ಮತ್ತು ನಟರಾಜನ ದೇವಾಲಯವನ್ನು ಅನೇಕ ಬಾರಿ ದುರಸ್ತಿ ಮಾಡಿ, ಶಿವ-ವಿಷ್ಣು ಪರಿವಾರದ ದೇವತೆಗಳ ಆಲಯಗಳನ್ನು
ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಪುರಾತನ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ತಿಲ್ಲೈ ವನಂ, ಪೂನ್ನಂಬಳಂ,
ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಪುರಿ ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರುಗಳು ಈಗಿನ ಚಿದಂಬರಂ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಕ್ಕಿವೆ.
ಪುರಾತನ ತಮಿಳು ಬರವಣಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶವು ತಿಲ್ಲೈ ಗ್ರಾಮ ಮಾತ್ರವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನಟರಾಜ ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷನಾದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹಲವು ಜಾನಪದ ಹಾಗೂ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಕಥೆಗಳಿವೆ. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಶಿವನು ಭಿಕ್ಷುವಿನ ಮಾರು ವೇಷದಿಂದ ಇಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಬಂದನಂತೆ. ಈ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ತಪಸ್ಸು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಪತಂಜಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ವ್ಯಾಘ್ರಪಾದ ಮುನಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ದೇವದಾರು ಮರದ ಕಾಣಿಸಿದ ಶಿವ ಮತ್ತು ಶಿವಗಾಮಿ (ಪಾರ್ವತಿ) ಯರು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಆನಂದ ತಾಂಡವ ನೃತ್ಯ ಮಾಡಿದನು. ಇದನ್ನು ವೀಕ್ಷಿಸಿದ ವಿಷ್ಣು ಗೋವಿಂದರಾಜನಾಗಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಲೆಸಿದನಂತೆ. ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದ ನೆನೆಪಿಗಾಗಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲ ಶಿವಾಲಯದಂತೆ ಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗದ ಬದಲು ನಟರಾಜನ ಬೆಳ್ಳಿಯ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆಯೇ ಮೂಲ ವಿಗ್ರಹವಾಯಿತು. ಚೋಳರಾಜರು ನಟರಾಜನನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿಮಾ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಪೂಜಿಸಿದರು. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಶಿವನ ರೂಪ ಆಕಾಶ ಲಿಂಗ ಅಥವಾ ಕನಕಸಭೈನಾಥರ್ ಆಲಯವಾಗಿದೆ.
ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಗರ್ಭ ಗುಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವುದು
ಗೋಡೆಯ ಮೇಲಿನ ಬೆಳ್ಳಿಯ ನಟರಾಜನೇ ಹೊರತು ಶಿವಲಿಂಗವಲ್ಲ. ಈ ವಿಗ್ರಹಕ್ಕೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ವಂಶಾನುಗತ ಅರ್ಚಕರಾದ
ದೀಕ್ಷಿತರ್ ವಂಶೀಕರು ಶಿವಾಗಮದ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಪೂಜೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ನಂತರ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಫಟಿಕ ಶಿವಲಿಂಗ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಟೆಯಾಗಿ
ದಿನಕ್ಕೆ 6 ಬಾರಿ ಪೂಜೆಯಾಗುತ್ತದೆ ಎನ್ನುವುದು ವಿಶೇಷ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನಟರಾಜ ಶಿವ ಮತ್ತು ಶಿವಕಾಮಿ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ
ಸೂರ್ಯ,
ಗಣೇಶ, ಮುರುಗ ಸುಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣ್ಯ, ವೈಷ್ಣವ ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯದ ಗೋವಿಂದರಾಜ, ಪಂಕಜವಲ್ಲಿ ತಾಯಾರ್,
ಗರುಡ ಹನುಮಾನರ ಆಲಯಗಳೂ ನಂತರ ಸೇರ್ಪಡೆಯಾದದ್ದು ವೈಷ್ನವ ಒಲವಿದ್ದ ಪಾಂಡ್ಯ ದೊರೆಗಳು,
ವಿಜಯನಗರದ ಅರಸರ ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಇದ್ದಾಗ.
ಚಿದಂಬರಂ ದೇವಾಲಯ ಇತರೆ ಶಿವಾಲಯಗಳಿಗಿಂತ
ಭಿನ್ನವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿನ 4 ಪ್ರಾಕಾರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವು ರಂಗ ಮಂಟಪಗಳಿವೆ. ಪೊನ್ನಂಬಲ- ಚಿನ್ನದ ದೇಗುಲದ
ಮಂಟಪ,
ಭರತ ಮುನಿಯ ನಾಟ್ಯ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರದ 108 ಭಂಗಿಗಳನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡ ಮಂಟಪಗಳು, ನಯನ್ಮಾರರ ಮಂಟಪವು ದುರಸ್ತಿಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದೆ.
ಪ್ರತಿ ಗೋಡೆ, ಕಂಬ, ಗೋಪುರಗಳ ಮೇಲೂ ಕಲೆಯ ಹಲವು
ಪ್ರಕಾರದ ವಿಗ್ರಹಗಳ ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮ ಕುಸುರಿ ಕೆತ್ತನೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನೃತ್ಯಾಸಕ್ತರ ಮನತಣಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ನಟರಾಜ ದೇವಾಲಯ
ಪ್ರಾಕಾರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವು ತೀರ್ಥ ಕೊಳಗಳಿವೆ. ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿವಗಂಗಾ ತೀರ್ಥ ಪರಮ ಪವಿತ್ರವೆಂದು ಭಕ್ತರು
ಭಾವಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ.
ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ನಂಜನಗೂಡಿನಂತೆ ಪಂಚರಥಗಳನ್ನು ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ ಮತ್ತು ಆರ್ದ್ರಾ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರದ ಉತ್ತರ ದರ್ಶನದ ವೇಳೆ ಎಳೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ವಿಶೇಷ ಎಂದರೆ, ಶಿವಶರಣರಾದ 63 ಮಂದಿ ನಯನ್ಮಾರರಿಗೆ ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕ ಮಂದಿರವಿದ್ದು, ಅಪ್ಪರ್, ಮಣಿಕಾವಾಚಕರ್ ಮತ್ತಿತರ ಸಂತರಿಗೆ ಪೂಜೆ ಸಲ್ಲುತ್ತದೆ. ನಯನ್ಮಾರರ ದಿವ್ಯ ಪ್ರಬಂಧವೆನಿಸಿದ ಪೆರಿಯ ಪುರಾಣದ ತಿರುಮೊರೈ ಅಥವಾ ತೇವರಂಗಳನ್ನು ಭಕ್ತರು ತನ್ಮಯರಾಗಿ ಹಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ವೈದಿಕ ಮಂತ್ರಗಳ ಬಳಕೆ ಸೀಮಿತವಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ.
ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವಿರುವ
ಮೊದಲ ಶಾಸನವು 10ನೆ ಶತಮಾನದ ಮೊದಲನೆ ಆದಿತ್ಯ ಚೋಳ, ಪರಾಂತಕ ಚೋಳರ ಕ್ರಿ.ಶ 950ರ ತಾಮ್ರ ಶಾಸನಗಳು ದೊರೆತಿವೆ. ಈ ಆಲಯವು ಮುಸ್ಲಿಮರ
ಆಕ್ರಮಣಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿ ಅಮೂಲ್ಯ ಆಭರಣಗಳು ರಾಜರ ಕೊಡುಗೆಗಳು ನಾಪತ್ತೆಯಾಗಿವೆ. ಆಂಕೊರ್ ವಾಟಿನ ದೊರೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಅಮೂಲ್ಯ ವಜ್ರಾಭರಣ ಕೊಡುಗೆಯಾಗಿತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ.
ಕಲಾ ಪೋಷಕರಾಗಿದ್ದ ಚೋಳರು, ಪಾಂಡ್ಯರು, ನಂತರ ಆಳಿದ ವಿಜಯನಗರದ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ-ಅಚ್ಯುತರಾಯರ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವು ಬಾರಿ
ದುರಸ್ತಿ, ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ, ಸೇರ್ಪಡೆ ಕೆಲಸಗಳು ಈ
ದೇವಾಲಯಕ್ಕೆ ನಡೆದಿವೆ. ಆಗಿನ ತಿಲ್ಲೈ ಕಾಡು ಬಳ್ಳಿಗಳ ಪ್ರದೇಶ ಈಗ 40 ಎಕರೆ ವಿಸ್ತೀರ್ಣದ ದೇವಾಲಯವಾಗಿ
ರೂಪುಗೊಂಡಿದೆ. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯ ಆಡಳಿತವು ಪರಂಪರೆಯಿಂದ ದೀಕ್ಷಿತರ್ ವಂಶಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರಿದೆ. ಪೂಜಾ ವಿಧಾನವೂ
ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಭಿನ್ನವಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಉತ್ಸವ ಸಂದರ್ಭಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಮೂಲ ವಿಗ್ರಹವಾದ ಬೆಳ್ಳಿಯ ನಟರಾಜನನ್ನೇ
ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ.