The temple of Kolaramma is more than a thousand years old. It is located in the Kolar town of Karnataka and the deity of the temple is Goddess Kolaramma. It was built in the Southern Style of architecture by Cholas. Goddess Kolaramma is worshiped as Goddess Durga. There are two prominent temples located in Kolar, these include, the Kolaramma temple as well as Someshwara Temple.
Kolaramma Temple Quick Facts
- Timings: 8.00 am-12.30 pm, 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm (all days expect on Friday)
- Friday: 8.00 am to 2.30 pm, 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm
- Entry Fee: NA
- Address: Fort Area Kolar – 563101 (MAP)
Kolaramma Temple – History
It is believed that the royal family of Mysore used to visit the temple and get blessings of the Goddess. The temple has a Dravida Vimana Style of architecture and it has inscriptions from the period of 1012 A.D. There are intricate carvings and designs inside the granite stones of the temple.
Architecture of Kolaramma Temple
The thousand year old temple has been built in South Indian style of architecture. It has granite stones that display a range of inscriptions made by the Cholas. The temple has two shrines- one is Kolaramma and the other is Saptamatras. A common vestibule is shared by both the shrines, although the main temple faces east and the other shrine faces north. It has been noticed that there are more than 30 inscriptions found inside the temple, in Kannada and Tamil.
A common vestibule is shared by both the shrines, although the main temple faces east and the other shrine faces north. It has been noticed that there are more than 30 inscriptions found inside the temple, in Kannada and Tamil.
Chola Inscriptions on Kolaramma Temple. Image courtesy Benjamin Lewis Rice
Chelamma is another deity in the temple. Also known as scorpion goddess, it is believed that a person will be saved from the bites of a scorpion if he regularly prays at the shrine. Plastic art is a prominent feature inside the temple. There is a slab which depicts a battle scene in the temple, there is also a stone which is about four and a half feet tall and it has horses, elephants, cars and soldiers depicted on it.
Another important feature of the Kolaramma temple is Hundi, also known as a well, that is used to collect offerings from devotees. The hundi is a vast and huge hole inside the earth and there are thousands of coins inside it which have been gathered over many years.
Kolaramma Temple. Image courtesy Shravan Kamath94
Kolaramma Temple – Beliefs
The presiding deity in the temple is Mahishasuramardini, who is named Kolaramma by the local people. She is an eight-armed Goddess Durga. The devotees worship her by looking at the mirror which is placed opposite the idol. There is a special pooja conducted on Tuesdays and Fridays, which is when devotees visit the temple.
In the center of the temple, there is Saptamatrikas. They are seven mothers placed in a significant key position.
The temple is frequented by devotees as well as architecture enthusiasts. The best time to visit is from March to April. The famous Karage Festival is celebrated during those months.
View of open entrance mantapa in the Kolarmma Temple. Image courtesy Hariharan Arunachalam (NIC)
How to Reach Kolaramma Temple
By Air
The nearest airport is Bangalore and the temple is about 2 hours away from there.
By Rail
One can also reach Kolar through the rail, which goes to Chennai and Kerala from Bangalore. Every train on that route passes Bangarpet which is the nearest railway station from Kolar. Kolar is only 15 kms away from Bangarpet.
By Road
The town is connected through a road network to various cities of Karnataka.
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