Chamarajeshwara Temple - Chamarajanagar
🖼️ Photo Gallery
🛕 Temple Info
Nestled in the divine city of Chamarajanagar, bordering Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the sacred Chamarajeshwara Temple stands as a magnificent embodiment of Dravidian and Hoysala architectural brilliance. With its towering 70-feet, five-tier Rajagopuram adorned by five resplendent brass kalashas, the temple greets every devotee with grandeur. Lord Shiva presides in the sanctum sanctorum, with the majestic Nandi facing the deity, enclosed within a fort-like prakara filled with intricately carved sculptures of gods and goddesses.
The vibrant temple complex is adorned with murals and carvings derived from ancient scriptures like Samudra Manthan and Girija Kalyana, painted using natural mineral colors and adhesive compounds—a testimony to artistic excellence from the Somavamsha period. The spiritual ambiance is further heightened by the rhythmic chanting of sacred mantras echoing through the town.
Maha Rathotsava: Celebrated grandly during the Ashada month (July–August), featuring four divine chariots, including the 167-year-old main ratha created by Basavaraje Urs of the Urs Dynasty.
Girija Kalyana: Celebrated with grandeur every June, commemorating the divine marriage of Parvati and Lord Shiva.
💫 Importance
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Chamarajeshwara Temple is not just a spiritual sanctuary but a symbol of Karnataka’s cultural and religious heritage. Named after Maharaja Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, the temple fuses the virtues of both divinity and royal legacy. It holds special significance for newly married couples who participate in the sacred Rathotsava ritual by offering bananas beneath the divine chariot, seeking blessings for marital harmony.
The temple also houses revered idols of Snapana Ganapati, Chandikeshwara, Goddess Chamundeshwari, and Kempananjambha, each placed with deep spiritual symbolism. The Navagraha sanctum draws devotees in large numbers, especially during Amavasya (new moon day).
📜History
The temple was commissioned by Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar in honor of his father, Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, and is believed to have been constructed with the blessings of Adi Shankaracharya, the founder of Advaita philosophy. The sacred Shivalinga was sourced from Sringeri and installed with royal devotion.
A large inscription slab near the Janana Mantapa narrates the temple’s royal genesis. Over time, the structure weathered several challenges, and by 2017 it was in a dilapidated condition. Thanks to the Karnataka Archaeology Department and Savani Heritage Conservation Pvt. Ltd., the temple underwent meticulous restoration in 2017–2018, restoring its former grandeur while preserving its sacred heritage.
🪔 Pooja Timings
| Schedule Timings | |
| Morning Darshan | 07:30 AM – 11:30 AM |
| Evening Darshan | 05:30 PM – 08:30 PM |
| Morning Abhisheka | 07:30 AM & 10:30 AM |
| Evening Abhisheka | 06:00 PM |
🚌 Transfort Options
By Road
Chamarajanagar is well-connected by road. The temple is located centrally within the city:
- From Bangalore: ~185 km (Frequent buses available)
- From Mysore: ~60 km (Easily accessible by car or bus)
By Rail
- Direct trains are available from Bangalore and via Mysore to Chamarajanagar Railway Station, the nearest railhead.
By Air
- Nearest Airports: Bangalore (138 km) and Mysore.
- Taxis and buses are readily available from both airports to Chamarajanagar.
🏙️Near By Cities
- Mysore
- Bangalore
- Najangudu
- Gundlupete
- BR Hills
🗣️ Devotee Comments