Bengaluru Dharmaraya Swamy Temple is one of the oldest and famous temples in Thigalarpet, Nagarathpete, Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is unique in that it is dedicated to the Pandavas and cannot be found anywhere. Dharmaraya Swamy Temple was built over eight hundred years ago by the Thigalas.
The temple resembles the Gangas, Pallavas and Vijayanagara Architectural styles. The Garbhagruha is in the Ganges style, the Vimanagopura is in the Pallava style and the Mukhamantapa is in the Vijayanagar style, showing the development of this temple in three different eras. The fourth stage of development of raja gopuram and Sabhangana was resumed in the 20th century.
The earlier raja gopuram was built well before Kempe Gowda founded Bangalore in the year 1530 A.D. Kempe Gowda was an ardent devotee of this temple. Bangalore city was designed keeping this temple as its reference. The temple area was developed as Halasuru Pete. This area is also known as Kalyanapuri. The temple had a vast area around with a Kalyani & Dharmachatra, which however are not found today.
The earlier raja gopuram was built well before Kempe Gowda founded Bangalore in 1530 A.D. Kempe Gowda was an ardent devotee of this temple. Bangalore city was designed keeping this temple as its reference. The temple area was developed as Halasuru Pete. This area is also known as Kalyanapuri.
Bengaluru Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple Timings:
Morning: 5.30 AM to 11.30 AM
Evening: 4.00 PM to 8.30 PM
About Karaga Festival:
The temple is also the starting point for the annual Karga festival, during which the priest, dressed as a woman, carries the karaga (a one-meter-high pot symbol of Draupadi) on his head and dances in the streets in procession.
Mythology says that Draupadi formed an army of soldiers called Veerakumaras, after the Mahabharata war, to fight a demon called Timirasura. When the Pandavas ascended to heaven, the Virkumaras asked them to stay. She promised she would come back to earth once a year. The ten days of Karaga mark the return of Draupadi.
The Karaga makes an interesting stop at Tawakkal Mastan Dargah, explains Dasharathi. Legend has it that Mastan Saab, a Muslim saint, was once injured during the Karaga procession. The priests healed him by applying vermilion to his wounds. The grateful saint then asked the procession to stop at his grave after his death.
How to Reach Dharmaraya Temple:
By Air:
Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport is the nearest airport which is 36 km.
By Rail:
Bengaluru Dharmaraya Swamy Temple is situated around the center of the city, the major station of Bengaluru – the KSR City Railway Junction – is merely 5 km from the temple.
By Road:
Dharmaraya Swamy Temple is well connected to other areas of Bengaluru and also to other cities and towns by road.
Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple Address:
Old Taluk Cutchery Road,
Thigalarpet,
Nagarathpete,
Bengaluru,
Karnataka 560002.
