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| Magadi Ranganatha temple, KA myholidayhappiness.com/ |
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| Magadi Ranganatha temple, KA Trawell.in |
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At the popular Sri Ranganatha temple of Magadi, Karnataka that is located atop a hill called Tirumale the presiding deity in the garbhagriha (sanctum) is lord Vishnu in standing posture, similar to the ones in Tirupati. Andhra and Oppiliappan Kovil near Kumbakonam city, Tamil Nadu.At many Vishnu temples, lord Ranganatha is in reclining posture (Ananada sayanam). Magadi is about 44 km from Bengaluru.
The real name of this temple is Paschima Venkatachalapthi temple, however it is referred to as Ranganatha temple due to the presence of a small image of Ranganatha on the temple wall. When Tipu Sultan was in power, he was after many Hindu temples except Ranganatha temple. So, the temple was called Ranganatha temple.
It was the Chola ruler first constructed the sanctum and other structure near them in the12th CE and first consecrated the deity. After the construction of the inner most sanctuary the temple underwent many renovations and expansions.
From the stone inscription on a Garuda sthamba (Garuda pillar) in front of the temple, it is inferred that the tall decorative Gopurams (towers) were added by the famous Vijayanagara empire King Krishnadeva Raya in 1524 A.D. The main idol's attributes like Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Abhaya mudra in the four arms seem to suggest Vijayanagara influence. Later contributions were also made by the Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar.
The Ranganatha temple complex is made of many shrines - sannadhis for deities like Rama, Sita, Anjaneya, Lakshmi, Venugopala Krishna and Ranganatha According to the legend or sthala purana the main deity (Ranganatha) was consecrated by the great sage Mandavya lending the location the name "Mandavya Kshetra" (abode of Manavya).
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| Step well (pond)Ranganatha temple,Magadi, KA madhavamk.blogspot.com |
Like many Hindu temples of South India, the Dravida architecture style is followed here as revealed by the tall many tiered Gopura with kumbas atop and spacious prakara. The stone pillars in the temple have attractive sculptures in relief. On either side of the temple entrance are two large colorful images of elephants.There is a step-well (Pushkarani) near the temple meant for many temple rituals.
