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Bhagamandala Jatre


Bhagamandala is located in a breathtakingly beautiful hill station in the western ghats of Karnataka state, boasts of being a popular destination among devotees as well. Sri Bhagandeshwara temple is one such shrine which attracts hordes of devotees to Coorg.

About the temple

Also known as Bhagandeshwara Kshetra, Sri Bhagandeshwara temple is situated at the Bhagamandala village in Coorg.

This temple is primarily dedicated to Lord Bhagandeshwara, a form of Lord Shiva. However, idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Narayana and Lord Subramanya have also been kept and worshipped in this temple.

The temple is considered to be more than 1000 years old. It is said that this temple was built during the Cholas dynasty. It presents a Karavali (west coast) architectural style, with a gabled roof.

As per the few historical records which are available, this temple has undergone renovation in 1790 AD, during the reign of Maharaja Veera Rajendra Wodeyar who was the then King of Kodagu.

This temple is located quite close to the Triveni Sangama which is the meeting point of three holy rivers names River Cauvery, River Kannika and River Sujyoti.

History

Skanda Purana, a holy text belonging to Hindu religion, mentions the temple and the legend behind it. As per the legend, Bhaganda Kshetra which was the ancient name of Bhagamandala, a great saint Sri Bhaganda Maharshi used to reside in his ashram located at this place. The name Bhagamandala has also been derived from the sage’s name.

Sri Bhaganda Maharshi, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and Lord Subramanya performed rigorous penance to please the Gods and receive their blessings. Lord Subramanya, pleased with his unrelenting devotion, blessed Bhaganda Maharshi and the place and named it as Skanda Kshetra. It is believed that he then promised his presence in the form of a stone image.

Lord Shiva too, pleased with the penance, blessed Bhaganda Maharshi. He also promised the saint that he will be present and bless all the devotees. Sri Bhaganda Maharshi, with the divine blessings, installed a Shiva linga, and invoked Lord Shiva.

 

The Shiva linga later came to be known as Sri Bhagandeshwara, owing to the name of the saint Sri Bhaganda Maharshi. It is believed that the divinity still manifests in the Linga at Sri Bhagandeshwara temple. Hence, devotees visit this temple to seek blessings of the Lord.

Temple Timings

Open on all days of the year, from 6.30 AM to 8.30 AM. It is closed in afternoon from 1.30 PM to 3 PM.

Abhisheka at the temple is conducted from 6.30 Am to 7 AM. Rudrabhishekam is from 8:15 AM to 9:30 AM while the Maha Mangalarathi (Main Pooja) is done from 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM. At 7.15 PM, Ganapathi Pooja is conducted while evening Maha Mangalarathi is from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

How to reach

Sri Bhagandeshwara temple is located around 35.4 km away from Madikeri and can be reached by road. It takes around 50 minutes to 1 hour to reach the temple from Madikeri town.

Madikeri is well connected to various cities and towns of Karnataka and Kerala. For instance, there are many regular buses from Bangalore to Coorg and Mysore to Coorg.