Here, ghee turns into butter

There are several temples in Bangalore dedicated to Someshwara and the most famous of them all is the one in Halasuru or Ulsoor. The Someshwara Temple at Ulsoor is one of the most magnificent temples in Bangalore and though its origin is shrouded in mystery, we know that the Cholas, Kempe Gowda and other dynasties have contributed to its  construction.

Interestingly, there is another temple dedicated to Someshwara and this too was built by the Cholas. The Cholas had defeated the Gangas and they overran the Ganga provinces, including Bangalore. They built several temples, including those dedicated to Someshwara.

Since the Cholas were followers of Shaivism, they built temples for Shiva not in their country-Thanjavur and surrounding areas-but also in the lands they conquered. Thus, when they set foot on Bangalore, they ensured that the area had temples dedicated to Someshwara or Shiva.

If the Someshwara Temple in Halasoor is well known, the one at Agara in Sarjapur is not all that popular though it dates back to more than a thousand years.

This is the temple of Someshwara Swamy and it is located at Agara on the Sarjapura Main Road. This structure has a recorded history dating back to around 850 BC and that would make it 1200 years old.

As the name Someshwara Swamy itself suggests, the temple is dedicated to Shiva or Eshwara. Both the temple and the deity is dated to the Chola period. Unlike other temples dedicated to Someshwara, the idols here self manifested. This means that the idols were not man made or sculpted by men. The idols appeared on the earth on their own.

Such idols are called Swayambhu or self manifested. Here, the idols of Shiva and his son, Ganapathi, are believed to be Swayambhu or self manifested. Hence, this temple is considered to very holy.  

But the most unique fact of the temple is that when the priest performs abhisheka to the Someshwara Swamy idol in the morning, the ghee used transforms into butter. Such a phenomenon has never been reported in any temple in Bangalore and the only such similar event can be seen at the Shiva Temple in Shiva Gange in Tumkur district.

There is no scientific explanation on how ghee transforms itself into butter only during the morning abhisheka or pouring of water and other ingredients on the idol in the morning to sanctify the idol.

The temple can be entered from the main gateway, which is rather barrow. Such entrances were common in ancient ages and they were built to ensure that people who came bent down in submission to the God.

There is a symbol of the Chola dynasty within the temple. The Vimana of the temple has sculptures of avatars of Shiva. The number “five” is sacred to Shiva. One of his most important mantras has five syllables (namah śivāya). Shiva's body is said to consist of five mantras, called the pañcabrahmans. The forms of God, each of these have their own names and distinct iconography: such as Sadyojata, Vanadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Isana. All these five forms are represented on the Vimana Gopura of the temple.

The vehicle of Shiva is Nandi and she is placed in front of Shiva’s idol. A temple dedicated to Goddess Parvathi has been constructed next to this temple. The temple compound houses smaller temples to Ayyappa  and Shani who is one of the Navagraha deity.

The family of Gundappa Dixit have been taking care of the temple for more than 400 years. The temple draws huge crowds during Shivaratri and Karthika Maasa when queues stretch for miles.

The temple is surrounded by a garden and since it is on the main road, it is easy to locate. It is oasis of calm in the midst of maddening crowd. If you ever get struck in traffic jam at Agara or at Sarjapur road, park your car and spent some time in this holy place.

The idols is believed to help people who pray for succor from illness, marital or medical problems. The priests of the Someshwara Swamy temple say that couples who have not had children have come and prayed here and many among them have come back with their children. Hence, this temple is popular with    couples for offering prayers to beget a child. 

Around Mysore-A village with unusual customs and traditions

Do you want to see the youth of the entire village and even some women swing on ropes in the reverse direction. Do you also want to participate or rather witness a unique fire dance which is very native here.

Then head for Arakere, a small village near Srirangapatna. This is a hobli 18 kilometres east of Srirangapatna. There is nothing extraordinary about this village. It is just like any other human habitation. However, it has a certain uniqueness that I want to present to the outside world.

So here goes…………….

The village is called Arakere and several inscriptions have been unearthed  here referring to the place as “Arakere” , “Sarvanamasyada Pattada Maha Agrahara Sarvajna Sri Viranarasimhapura (1254 A.D) and Agrahara Maleyalana Arakere (1512 A.D.).

The inscriptions also make it clear that Arakere was a part of  Idainadu region. The Cheras ruled over Idainadu before the Chalukyas and Hoysalas established their supremacy here.

In all, seventeen inscriptions have been found here dating from the   period between 12^th century and 18^th century. Of them, four inscriptions are in Tamil and fourteen in Kannada.

Many of the inscriptions record the grants given to the Keshava, Maruleshwara and Narasimha temples and also to the tank at Arakere.

The Keshava Temple referred to in the inscription is now called Channakeshava temple. It belongs to the 12^th century and it is located on Durga Street in the village.

The temple is built in Chola style and it has a garbhagriha, antarala, open ardhamantapa navaranga, spacious Sabha mantapa, verandah, prakara and entrance corridor. Many of these structures have been recently renovated.

The Vishnu sculpture in the garbhagriha is a recent addition. One of the doorframes has three bands and there is an idol of  Ramanujacharya in the antarala.

The Navaranga of the Chennakeshava Temple has an idol of a  devi and central ceiling has decorations of the lotus flower. The mukha mantapa has a defaced Keshava carving. The entrance corridor in the prakara is of recent origin.

The Garuda pillar is right in front of the temple.

To the left of the temple, there is a pillar which is all that remains of the structure referred to as Ammana Gudi. To the right of the temple is an Utsava mantapa.

The Maraleshwara Temple , which in earlier days was called Manaleshwara, is also built in Chola style. It is just outside the village.

This structure too has a garbhagriha, antarala and a spacious navaranga with doors in the east and the south, attached with mukhamantapas.

The basement of the garbhagriha is multi angled and it houses a Linga. The navaranga has sculptures of  Mahishamardini, Ganapathi, and a Devi.

Opposite to the southern entrance is a single ankana temple with a Devi sculpture. On the pillars of the Navaranga and on the ceiling of the mukhamantapa are decorations of lotus. This temple was being renovate when I last visited it.

The Lakshminarasimha temple is in ruins. You can , however, make out a garbhagriham antarala, navaranga and a verandah. There are records dated 1561 AD to indicate that this was also called Narasimha Temple.

The garbhagriha here (Narasimha Temple) has a beautiful Lakshminarasimha sculpture which is profusely decorated with ornaments. Another temple is that of Ramalingeshwara. This too has been renovated recently and it has a Linga.

The village tank is adjacent to a hill called Hucharaya hill. There is a temple for the village deity Mutturaya here. The Bisilu Maramma temple has been renovated and once in three years a Jatra is held for the deity.

The tank or lake is serene and is not polluted. A crocodile was found near a paddy field adjacent to this tank a few months ago.

The spear shula festival during the Jatra of Bisulu Maramma is a very unique experience. People belonging to Achari, Okkaliga, Ganiga and Banajiga community bring 50 feet high arecanut tree trunks from arecanut garden reserved exclusively for the deity.

These trunks are planted in order and a platform is built on them. Then, the Ganigas climb on them and swing in a reverse direction. This peculiar act continues for almost three hours.

Then comes another unique ritual- the Dhimsale dance.

This is another spectacle worth watching. The dancer ties a belt around his waits and holding a big piece of Sura honne wood with sharpened edges resembling a penis, he speaks in an obscene language.

The art of swinging swords and lighted sticks is called Benki Bharate. This is a special performance. The fire exercise of holding a light disc by a person with bound legs is another fascinating experience. What makes this more thrilling is that all these above mentioned acts are alive even now.

Arakere is near Bannur. It is in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district.

Head for Arakere and find out about our local culture and heritage. I can assure you that the visit is worth your time and money.