The Rangasthala temple is a hidden gem in Thippenahalli, 4 km from Chikkaballapur town in Karnataka. The temple, which is yet to be explored by pilgrims, serves as a place for a one-day trip from Bangalore.
Rangasthala temple history
The Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Rangasthala or the Rangasthala temple, has a fascinating history and significance. At the end of the Treta Yuga, when Lord Rama defeated Ravana and returned to Ayodhya, a coronation ceremony to crown him the king was held. The noble Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana, also attended it. As a token of gratitude and appreciation, Lord Rama gifted Vibhishana, an idol of Lord Ranganatha, in a bamboo basket to carry to Lanka. Commemorating Lord Rama’s noble gesture, the Saptarishis or the seven sages, installed an idol of Lord Ranganatha and began worshipping it. The Hoysala rulers, in addition, later built a magnificent temple enshrining Lord Ranganatha.
Significance of the temple
As per popular belief, devotees attain Moksha or liberation when they visit the Rangasthala temple after worshipping the Lord in Srirangapatna, Shimsha and Srirangam. Hence the Lord bears the name ‘Moksha Ranganatha’ in Rangasthala. Ranganatha is Adi Ranga in Srirangapatna (Karnataka), Madhya Ranga in Shimsha (Karnataka) and Antya Ranga in Srirangam (Tamil Nadu). Seeing these three temples from dawn to dusk on a single day is said to have had Triranga Darshan. The Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Rangasthala, thus serves as a sequel to the Triranga Darshan.
Also, the idols of Lord Ranganatha in Srirangapatna, Srirangam and Rangasthala were installed on the same day. Furthermore, Guru Parashara Bhatta composed the Sri Rangaraja Stotra praising the Lord in Rangasthala during the 12 century A.D.
Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Rangasthala architecture
In Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Rangasthala, the Lord graces from the Sanctum Sanctorum, shaped like a bamboo basket. The Hoysala rulers constructed it based on the belief that Lord Rama gifted Vibhishana, the idol of Lord Ranganatha, in a bamboo basket. The presiding deity, Lord Ranganatha, is about four and a half feet long and is carved of a single Shaligrama stone. He reclines on the serpent Adishesha with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The deity’s features are very appealing, and he has an enchanting smile. Hence, the Lord here is also acknowledged as Jaganmohana (the enchanter of the universe).
Furthermore, other deities, like Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, the Saptarishis (the seven sages), Ashta Dikpalakas (the gods of the eight directions) and others surround the Lord as in his abode, Vaikunta.
The Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Rangasthala, bears the Hoysala style of architecture. The temple features an imposing south-facing Rajagopuram (the main temple tower) followed by a mandapa or a hall with beautifully carved pillars. On the top of the sanctum sanctorum is a square-shaped shikhara constructed in the Dravidian style.
As one goes around the sanctum sanctorum, one can see a small opening through which the sun’s rays pass. On the day of Makara Sankranti, which falls in January each year, one can see the sun’s rays falling on the deity’s feet through this opening.
The Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Rangasthala also features shrines of Vaishnava saints like Ramanuja, Chakratalwar and Vedanta Desikan. Carvings of Mahishasuramardhini, Chaturbhuja Vishnu, Krishna, Hanuman and Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, draw visitors’ attention. In addition, the sacred tanks, Shanka Tirtha and the Chakra Tirtha, bear the holy waters in this temple.
Rangasthala temple timings
The Rangasthala temple is open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 12 PM and from 4 PM to 7 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, the temple is open from 7 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM.
How to reach Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Rangasthala
From Bangalore, one will have to drive up to Chikkaballapur and then take the Chikkaballapur – Gauribidanur road to reach the Rangasthala in Thippenahalli. The distance from Bangalore to Rangasthala temple is about 66 km.
Places to visit near Rangasthala
- Muddenahalli, about 9 km from Rangasthala, is Sir M Vishweshwaraiah, the modern architect of Karnataka’s birthplace. It has a museum that showcases some of his belongings.
- The distance from Rangasthala to Isha Foundation, Chikkaballapur, is about 9.8 km, which houses the imposing 112 ft statue of Adi Yogi.
- Nandi Hills, the popular tourist destination, is only about 28 km from Rangasthala.
In conclusion, Rangasthala is worth the visit as it is one of the important temples near Chikkaballapur.