The Nagalamadaka Subramanya Swamy temple, located in Pavagada is one of the significant holy places that are drawing pilgrims from far and wide, particularly during the Karthika Maasa which commences with the new moon in November. This temple is located on the banks of the river North Pinakini, which is just 15 km from the Pavagada Taluk in Karnataka. The Nagalamada SubramanyaSwamy Temple is very famous among the locals for the fine-looking shrine of Lord Subramanya and the mysticism allied with its origin. The temple also has several folklore linked with it.
Nagalamadaka Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple Timings:
Tuesday to Saturday: 8:15 AM to 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Sunday & Monday: 8:15 AM to 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
During Jatra, the temple will be open for 24 hours.
Nagalamadaka Murugan Temple Sevas:
1. Sarpa dosha Shanti (Kaalsarp Dosha, Sarpa Dosha Nivara, Rahu Ketu Shanti).
2. Naga Pratishta Pooja.
3. Ashlesha Bali Pooja.
4. Sarpa Samskara Pooja.
5. Shanti Bhagagalu Pooja.
Nagalamadaka Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple History:
This place, under the reign of the Nolamba Pallavas, was earlier known as ‘Roddam Munnur Harive’. The whole area is covered with luxurious greenery which had enormous numbers of deer. Nagalamadika was primarily an Agrahara or a small community in which mainly Brahmins resided. The history of the temple says that about four centuries ago, a temple priest, Sri Annam Bhattaru traveled every year to Kukke Subramanya Temple to witness the Rathotsava or the car festival.
One such year when Annam Bhattaru had grown old and weak, he could not reach the temple on time. The devotees gathered there were extremely shocked to see the ratha (chariot) stuck to its path. Adding on to this, Lord Subramanya Himself appeared and ordered one of his devotees to stop the ceremonials until the arrival of Annam Bhattaru. Annam Bhattaru arrived and that was when the ratha moved rightly as said. Annam Bhattaru was then ordered by Lord Subramanya to both take the Nagabharana or the adornments from Kukke Subramanya with him to Nagalamadika and perform pujas there itself. Even to this day, worshipping this with supreme devoutness during the Rathotsava or the car festival is in practice.
One fine day, Sri Subramanya Swamy appeared in Sri Annam Bhattaru’s dream and told him that he could find Him in the North Pinakini River. The Lord also ordered Bhattru to bring out his idol and construct a temple. On digging, the village people retrieved the Mulavigraha, or the main idol and sanctified it, building a temple.
A few years later, when Roddam Bala Subbiah had a dream to build a temple, a bigger temple was constructed. Even to this day, during the Rathotsava, the relatives of Bala Subbaih offer food to the visitors.
Nagalamadaka is a town bordering two states Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and Telugu is the major language spoken by the locals. In Telugu, ‘Nagala’ means ‘snake’ or ‘naga’ and the temple was called Nagalamadaka in Telugu and Nagalamadike in Kannada.
Sri Annam Bhattaru constructed a temple with three stones pointing towards three directions and another stone positioned on top and carried out poojas here. This practice is continued even to this present day.
People believe that Subramanya or Kumara Swami combined with the snake, Vaasuki in a forest near Kumara Dhara River and this place came to be known as Kukke Subramanya in Dakshina Kannada, Sulya Taluk. This is called as Adi Subramanyam, where Adi means ‘the First’. There are three Subramanyam temples famous in this surroundings which are Kukke Sri Subramanya, Sri Ghati Subramanya also called ‘Madhya Subramanya’ or ‘One in the Middle’ and Sri Nagalamadaka Kshetra Subramanya which is the ‘Antya Subramanya’ or the Last Subramanya.
As per legends, Lord Sriram stopped over and lived in this place for a short span of time. Lord Sriram’s obedient brother Lakshmana is said to have argued with Him in this place and hence the locals of this place are famous for their rebellious manners.
Nagalamadaka Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple Attractions:
Idol at the Sanctum Sanctorium
This Nagalamadaka Subramanya Swamy temple is well known for its idol installed by Sri Annam Bhattaru which stands about 2 feet and 9 inches tall. Bearing seven snake heads, its body is coiled into two circles and the idol is in a standing pose on a rock. The view of the gorgeous idol of Nagappa with a seven-hooded snake installed in the Sanctum Sanctorium is awe-inspiring to its devotees. Several poojas like Sarpasamskara, Nagaprathishta, Nagadoshaparihara and so on are performed in this temple and so it sees a huge crowd of devotees. Another idol called Theetenagappa who is alleged to cure all illness is also revered here. This idol is said to be self-established or called the ‘Udbhava Murthy’ and is found to be increasing in size every day. Other shrines of Eshwara Swamy and Anjaneya Swamy are also found here.
Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple Events:
Brahma Rathotsava: This Brahma Rathotsava is luxuriously carried out on the Pushya Shuddha Shashti every year. Pushya month comes between December and January, and the 6th day of the 14-day phase of the moon is Shashti. Shuddha Shashti is the sixth day after every full moon. Devotees throng in huge numbers for the Rathotsava or the car festival. Soon after the Rathotsava, a ten-day Dhanagala Jatra is held. The Nagalamadaka Subramanya Vasavi Charitable Trust organizes accommodation amenities, Annadhanam, or free food and the dispersal of clothes to the needy during the Rathotsava.
Parusha: Another event held every year during the Pushya month in this Nagalamadaka Subramanya Swami temple is the Parusha. More than fifty thousand devotees are said to be a part of this fair and this fair is the biggest event in the district. This is celebrated for five days, starting from the Shuddha Panchami, the fifth day to Shuddha Navami, the ninth day. Shuddha means after the full moon. The banks of the river Pinakini and the temple are both brilliantly lit up with lights on these days.
Nagalamadaka Temple Address:
Shree Nagalamadike Subrahmanya Swamy Temple,
Nagalamadike Post,
Nagalamadike Hobli,
Pavagada Taluk,
Tumkur District,
Karnataka.
Pin – 572136.