Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati Temple devoted to Sri Venkataramana Swamy or Lord Balaji. The temple is located on the Bangalore -Honnavara highway around 2km from Arisikere, Hassan. Fable says that Sage Agasthya had offered prayers here to Lord Balaji and was blessed with Lord Balaji’s darshan here.
Quick Facts Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati Temple
- Opening Hours: Monday -Sunday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
- Deities: Lord Venkataramana Swamy, Sri Mahalakshmi
- Daily Pooja timing: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Special Pooja Timing: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Festival Pooja Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
History of Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati Temple
Legend says that Sage Vashishta live here and went to atonement by worshipping Lord Venkataramana Swamy for about 800 years. Finally, on the day of Ashada Shuddha Dwadashi Lord appeared and blessed him. To commemorate this occasion, Maharathothsava is held in the temple every year.
After being blessed by Tapasidhi, Lord Venkataramana left the place and eventually, there was none to take care of the Ashram built by Sage Vashishta and the idol of Sri Venkataramana perished under the mother earth. After thousands of years, the idol was discovered by the Palegar of Chitradurga.
One of the rulers of the Palegar had the vision to seek the blessing of Thirupathi Thimmappa (Lord Venketaramana) and was directed to build a temple in the same place atop the hill where Sage Vashishta had ones built the ashram and placed the idol. The Palegar was directed by Lord Venkataramana in his dreams to this hilltop following the Tulsi Male where he was told to build the temple.
The place was once called Malekallu, then with Palegar installing the temple there, and could seek the blessing of Thimmapa Thirupathi instead of going to Thirupathi, the temple was called Malekallu Thirupathi temple. To reach the temple, one must climb around 1200 steps, being atop the hill.
The temple was also called Amaragiri Tirupathi and the Lord Govidanraja temple down the hill was called Govindaraja Pattna. Since Thirupathi Lord Balaji (Lord Venkataramana) was installed here, Lord Venkataramana and goddess Padmavathi or Lakshmi were together installed atop the hill and Govindaraja Swamy in the temple below.
Malekal Tirupati Temple, Hassan. Image courtesy Vijayanand Gurudev
Lord Govidaraja Swamy – Utsava Murthy
Lord Govidaraja Swamy the main deity of festivals is housed at the temple of Govidaraja Swamy down the hill. Since atop hill, the rathothsava and other festivals are inconvenient to host, the temple is placed way down the hill. The vigraha installed here in the temple was found by Palegar Thimmapanayaka while he was constructing a lake to resolve drought problem in the area.
Architecture of Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati Temple
The temple architecture is a complete depiction of Hoysala Architecture. Hassan is famous for the Hoysala architectural impressive temples. Sri Venkataramana temple in Amaragiri is also one typical example of the same. The temple is a consolidation of Dravidian Architecture and the Nagara style. The temple sculptures are built using the smooth and pliable soapstone then. The clean detailing and the miniature carvings can be seen in the temple architecture which is the major feature of the Hoysala architecture.
Important Festivals and Rituals at Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati Temple
The major festival is on the Ashada Shuddha Dwadashi which falls on the 12th day of the growing stage of the moon or the waxing stage in the month of Ashada that falls in July- August.
Newly wedded couples visit the temple to seek the blessing from Lord Venkatramana and Goddess Padmavathi. Kalyanotsava is a major performance of ritual happening here witnessed by thousands of devotees.
Ugadi festival, Shriramanavami, Dodda Garudotsava, Asahada Shuddha Dwadasi, Ashada Shuddha Triyodasi and many more festivals are conducted here with great grandeur.
Rathothsava starts on the day of Ashada Shuddha Panchami and till the Ashada Bahula Shrasti with different Poojas and programs conducted every day.
Malekal Tirupati Temple, Hassan. Image courtesy Karsolene
How to Reach Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati Temple, Hassan
By Road
Arisikere is easily reachable from Hassan which is around 187 km from Bangalore and 115km from Mysore. Regular buses ply from Hassan to Arisikere. Karnataka state Transport buses are available in large number from Bangalore and Mysore at all the time.
By Rail
Arisikere railway station is the nearest railway station to the temple. The station falls on the Mysore-Hubli railway line, hence easily connected to Mysore and Hubli. Mysore and Hubli railway stations are well connected to all the major railway stations in the south.
By Air
Bangalore airport is the nearest airport to Ariskere. After reaching Bangalore airport, tourists can hire a taxi or take a bus from the nearest KSRTC Center to reach Hassan. From Hassan, Arisikere is 47.2 km.