Site Map
http://www.maplandia.com/india/karnataka/bangalore-rural/channapatna/About
Channapatna is a small city located 60 km south-west of Bangalore india on Bangalore-Mysore state highway.
The city is famous for its wooden toys and lacquerware In the native language (kannada), Channapatna is also called as "goMbegaLa ooru" meaning toys town in English. These toys are manufactured in tradational or advanced small scale industries. Manufacturing and twisting of raw silk and Coconut is a major product of Channapatna taluk. The temple of Lord Aprameya Swamy is nearby.
The Channapatna Toy Story
Expecting to see an old craftsman sitting in a quiet corner and chipping away on a piece of wood that would eventually turn into one of those dolls, Savitha was surprised to find the factory of Maya Organic where workers of varying ages chipped away on power lathes and crafting those toys.
Important places
1) DoddaMallur Aprameya Swamy Temple which also has the world famous Ambegal Krishna whose beauty inspired the famous poet Purandharadasa to compose "Jagadodharana Aadisidale Yashoda ...." is just 2KM away from Channapatna on the Highway towards Mysore. Mallur is also known as Dakshina Ayodhya. Thayar: Sri Aravindavalli thayar
2) Kengal Aanjaneya Swamy Temple is on the way to Channapatna from Bangalore. 5KM before Channapatna. It is situated beside the Bangalore to Mysore High-Way.
3) Kanva Maharshi Math and Brahmanya Theertha Brundavan is 6KM away from Channapatna on the way to Kanva Reservoir.
Aprameya Swamy Temple
This sthalam is also referred to by other names in our ancient sacred texts, a few being:
“DAKSHINA AYODHYA”: Legend has it that Lord Rama stayed here for a while during his exile and as this kshetram is situated to the south of the Vindhya Mountain, it got this name.
“CHATUR VEDA MANGALA PURA”: since people who learnt all four Vedas resided here, it was referred so.
“GNYāNA MANTAPA KSHéTRAM”: The person who had the thirst to learn the Vedas was blessed with the knowledge of the ancient scriptures in this place and hence the title.
“RAJENDRA SIMHA NAGARI”: Rajendra Simha, a Chola Raja established this place as the capital of his vast empire and the name thus reflects Mallur’s past glory.
The Puranas mention that Lord Aprameya was worshipped by King Vijayapala in Krutha Yuga, Sage Kanva in Thretha Yuga, Sage LambhaShrava in Dwapara Yuga and Vignyaneshwara in Kali Yuga. Sage Kapila who is an amsam of Srimannarayana enlightened the common man on the Kalyana Gunams of Lord Aprameya and gave Upadeshams on attaining Mukthi. It is believed even today that the Sages Kapila and Kanva are staying here, worshipping lord Aprameya. Once the temple is locked by the priest in the night (after Arthjama), the sounds of the door opening in the Garbha Griham and tolling of the temple bells can be heard which indicate the Amara Jeevi sages praying Lord Aprameya in ekantham. It is a proud privilege for the Bhakthas of Mallur that Sriman Narayana and his Consort Maha Lakshmi are residing in their midst, giving them darshanam every day.
The ancient temple of Lord Aprameya dates back to 3,000 years. There is a written document preserved to date, which says about lighting lamps to Lord Aprameya in 980 A.D. Records say that the temple was built and expanded by Chola king Rajendra Simha.
The speciality of the temple lies in the very basis of the building, as it is standing on sand and not on any solid foundation.
Legends say that Goddess Mahalakshmi was born in a lotus flower in Vishnu Teertham, which is to the North-West of the temple, and was known as Aravindavalli. Aravindavalli is the presiding Goddess in the temple.
The idol of Sri Aprameya is carved out of Saligrama stone. The idol is in the posture of Abhayahastha. Lord’s two upper hands are holding Shanka (Conch shell) and Chakra (disc) and the lower arms are holding Gadha (mace) and Hastha (Asdsuring hand).
There is a small replica of the main idol, which is taken on a procession in the chariot during festivals, is placed on a sandalwood pedestal. The idols of Sridevi and Bhoodevi accompany the Lord along with the idol of saint Ramanujacharya.
It is believed that sage Vyasa installed the statue of Lord Navaneeta in the temple. The idol flaunts several ornaments, and a pendant of tiger claws is prominent among them. Priests say that the Lord wears it to avoid bad eyes from his many devotees ogling at his boundless beauty.
It is said that Purandaradasa composed his popular song — “Jagadoddharana Aadisidalu Yashode…” after seeing the beauty of Lord Navaneeta in the temple. Purandaradasa Mantapam in front of the Rajagopuram of the temple is a tribute to the great poet for immortalising his ecstasy on seeing Navaneeta Krishna here
Ambegalu Krishna
Legends say that about 130 years ago, the then Maharaja of Mysore came to have the darshan of Lord Aprameya, Aravindavalli and Krishna at Malur. He was so attracted to the lovely idol of Lord Krishna that he took it to his palace. The same night he had a dream in which Lord Krishna ordered him to return the idol to the temple at Doddamalur, failing which great harm would befall on him. The Raja did not obey the words of the Lord and as a result, a part of his palace was consumed by fire. Then the Raja was forced to restore the idol back at the temple.
Legends also say that Lord Rama stayed here, in Dakshina Ayodhya, for several years and worshipped Lord Aprameya. So Lord Aprameya is also called as Sriramaprameya. Lord Rama performed several homas and rituals in the temple, and there are remnants of the structures where he conducted yajnas and homas.
Lord Navaneeta temple has several silver and wooden cradles offered to the Lord by devotees desirous of getting a child.
The Brahmotsava of Lord Aprameya falls in April/May of every year. The architecture of the temple is such that Sun rays fall directly on the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Aprameya during April/May.
Legends also mention that Lord Aprameya was worshipped by King Vijayapala in Krutha Yuga, sage Kanva in Thretha Yuga, sage Lambha Shrava in Dwapara Yuga and Vigyanaeshwara in Kali Yuga. Sage Kapila spread the message of Lord Aprameya. It is believed that even today, sage Kapila, sage Kanva stay here and worship Lord Aprameya. Once the temple is locked by priest in the night, people say that they hear the sound of door opening in the sanctum sanctorum and temple bells ringing, which indicates the Amara Jeevi sages praying Lord Aprameya.
Kengal Aanjaneya Swamy Temple
Kengal Anjaneya Swamy Temple is located in Vandaraguppe village near Channapatna Karnataka. The reigning deity of the temple is a five-and-half-foot tall Hanuman sporting a moustache. Tradition recounts that sage Vyasaraya, carried out installation rituals after realizing the special properties of a rock which looked like the monkey god, Hanuman. A huge water tank is located in the temple premises. The temple is 55 km from Bangalore and is just off the Bangalore - Mysore State Highway.
Kanva reservoir
Kanva Dam is a minor irrigation project dam. Built in 1946 across the Kanva river, it is 15 km long covering 776 hectares. The Kanva river (a tributary of the Cauvery river) is named after the sage Kanva, who is believed to have lived in the caves in the mountains and forests around the dam in the time of Ramayana.
Alongside the dam is a fisheries training and research center, aimed at making the local villagers self sufficient through fish farming. The cave temple of Purushotthama Thirtha Gavi is 3 km away. It is an important pilgrimage center for Madhwa Brahmins, as it is believed that a saint performed penance here. A statue of Hanuman has been installed inside the cave
