Sri Arkeshwara Swamy Temple is in the Gottalu village of Mandya Taluk, Karnataka was built before the 12th century in the time of Cholas. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Mandya Arkeshwara Swamy Temple. This place was a dense forest before and hundreds of cows used to come here daily for grazing, in search of fresh food and grass. These cows belonged to the house of the Chief or Head of the Channapana Doddi village, which was about 1.5 km from here. The house servant used to get these cows here daily for grazing. Among these cows, one cow used to give milk, only when surrounded by the Gutti plant, Vushamparaji plant, Avarike plant and a Mruttike. But after it went home, it used to give blood when it was milked. The surprised servant informed the Chief about this and the Chief decided to go and check it himself.
Before letting the cows graze, he tied a Ugani plant to the neck of that cow in particular, in order to identify it. As usual, the cow started giving milk in that particular place. The Chief who was observing all this from the top of a tree got down and started cutting down those bushes using his Chandrayudha. At that time, he accidentally hit the head of a Linga there. A chunk came off and it pitched first in Basavanagudi, which was nearly 3 km away and it pitched next after 2 more km. It still rolled on further and finally got instated. God later talked to the Chief through someone else and advised him to build a temple for him in that place. The Chief obeyed and built the temple. As it was completely surrounded by Avarike plants, people started worshipping God there by the name Arkeshwara Swamy. Later, the place got the names Guttalu and Arakeshwara Nagara.
If any victim of snakebite comes to this temple, he is given the Srigandha (Sandalwood) theertha Prasada which is on the almighty and the victim will be cured. Even today, such miracles keep happening regularly. Many devotees, suffering from Nagarasonku, which is a type of pigmentation on the skin because of small injuries, are cured here by applying the mud from the Mruttike (or Hutta – Termite colony) on their skin. Even today, the family descendants of that Chief perform Rathotsava, Vijayadashami pooja, First Pooja during Karthika Masa and other special poojas. Devotees throng this holy place in large numbers.
According to the legend, the place where the portion of the smashed head of the Linga, pitched first, came to be known as Mandya, the place where it pitched for the second time, came to be known as Chik Mandya and when it rolled further and finally got instated, it got the name Mandeshwara. But nowadays, it is known as Thandaveshwara. Sri Thandaveshwara’s Prasada works as medication and cure for rat bites. Also since the head rolled here, the place got the name Holalu.
Mandya Sri Arkeshwara Swamy Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 AM to 1.30 PM
Evening: 4.30 PM to 8.30 PM
During special days: 5.30 AM to 10.00 PM
Arkeshwara Temple Jatra / Utsavas:
| Sl No | Jatra / Utsava | Month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rathosthava | Every year on the full moon of Phalguna month. |
| 2 | Navaratri Utsava | October |
| 3 | Mahashivaratri | Rathasapthami Day |
| 4 | Ratha Saptami | Ratha Saptami Day |
| 5 | Vairamudi Utsava | April |
| 6 | Kruttikotsava | November |
Places Around Arkeshwara Swamy Temple:
Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary – Srirangapatna Taluk 43 Kms
Sri Nimishambha Temple – Ganjam, Srirangapatna 35 Kms
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – Srirangapatna 30 Kms
Shivana Samudra Barachukki Jalapatha – Malavalli Taluk 58 Kms
Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary – Maddur Taluk 40Kms
Melukote Cheluvarayaswamy Temple – Pandavapura Taluk 40 Kms
Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple – Basaraalu, Mandya Taluk 25 Kms
Sri Ahalya Devi Temple- Ukkada, Srirangapatna Taluk 35 Kms
Sri Laxmijanardhana Swamy Temple – Mandya City 5 Kms
Sri Aatmalingeshwara Swamy Temple – Hanumanthanagara, Maddur Taluk 13 Kms
Mandya Arkeshwara Swamy Temple Address:
Arakeshwar Nagar,
Mandya,
Karnataka – 571404.
Phone: 08232 -230048
E-mail: arakeshwaragutalu@gmail.com