Adichunchanagiri Temple

An Introduction to Adichunchanagiri Temple

Kalabhairava always occupies a significant sanctum in any Shiva Temple. There has been no dedicated temple to the deity for centuries. Adichunchanagiri Temple is the only temple in south India dedicated to Kalabhairava, constructed in the past 500 years.

Adichunchanagiri, the holy land in Mandya district, Nagamangala taluk, Karnataka, has the pride of being home to the Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple. It is at an elevation of 3300 ft on top of the Adichunchanagiri hill. Pilgrims are drawn to it by its vibrant and divine resonance.

This ancient temple in Karnataka is the Kshetra Palaka of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math. The presiding deity of Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple is Gangadhareshwara. Devotees worship the Jwala Peetha, the Pancha Lingas, and Stambambike with reverence. Akasha Bhairava is the apex of the hillock, and Bindu Sarovara is the sacred pond of the temple. Recently, two huge lakes have come up, and the old one is also being renovated.

Legend of Adichunchanagiri Temple

The Kshetra, Adichunchanagiri, is a sacred spot for Shiva. During his penance, the deity devoured the two demon brothers, Chuncha and Kancha, who had been pestering the entire area for a long time. Afterwards, the place got the name "Adichunchanagiri and Chunchanakote." Shiva also assured that he would reside in the form of the Panchalingas at Adichunchanagiri — Gangadhareshwara, Malleshwara, Chandramouleshwara, Siddeshwara, and Someshwara.

Gangadhareshwara (Someshwara) is the presiding deity, and Chandramouleshwara is 'Atmartha Devatha.' The manifestation of Shiva, Sri Kalabhyraveshwaraswamy, is the "Protecting Deity" in the Adichunchanagiri Temple. In the form of Kambadamma or Stambambike, Goddess Parvathi is worshipped here. Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple is also called "Panchalinga Kshetra."

The holy water discharged from Shiva's Jata, stationed a few hundred feet above the sacred lake, Bindu Sarovara Pushkarini, supposedly formed Adichunchanagiri. Devotees take a holy dip in the lake to dispel their sins and ignorance, considering its holiness.

Adichunchanagiri Temple finds mention in the Shiva Purana and many inscriptions. Legends reveal that Adi Rudra handed this holy land to Siddha Yogi, who established the Math and the Siddha Simhasana. Shiva also instructed the yogi to spread society's righteousness.

The Kalabhairava Temple's Architecture

This Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple was constructed in 2008 for Rs. 85 crores by Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, a popular Indian religious leader. Many eminent sculptors and over 1200 people helped build it quickly to make Swamiji's dream temple a reality. A unique feature of Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple is that only stones were used to build the entire temple. The temple's pillars, doors, ceiling, and every other part are all made of stone. Pilgrims can worship 64 different forms of Bhairava statues measuring 4-5 feet in height. Pilgrims shall climb 200 hard, stony steps to reach the main temple.

Interesting facts about the Temple

• Infertile and unmarried people visit Adichunchanagiri Temple to offer their prayers to Goddess Kambadamma, who fulfills their wishes.
• Devotees can see a 7-feet tall Ganesha statue, a 6-feet tall statue of Subramanya, a 23-feet tall statue of Nagalingeshwara, and eight 11-feet statues of Bhairava with 25-feet tall 'Dhwaja Stambha' polished in gold.
• The Temple's multilayered architecture expresses the aesthetics of the designers and workers.
• The place where Shiva began his penance is called Agni Peetha or Jwala Peetha.
• Millions of devotees flock to the temple and the Peetha on Jatrotsava, Navaratri, and Shivaratri.
• Sri Math feeds over twenty thousand devotees daily for free. So, it acquired another name, "Annadani Math," through this daily feeding program.
• Not only devotees but any hungry soul is fed here without distinction.
• Mayura Vana, a beautiful forest that surrounds the Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple, brings peace and spiritual solitude to the minds of devotees and tourists.
• In all Shiva temples, devotees can worship Nandi statues seen in front of the deity. But here, devotees can see a statue of a dog that is supposedly his vehicle.
• Though the temple appears to be built in the Dravidian style of architecture, the 'Vimana Gopura' reflects the style of the Cholas.
• On February 17, 2008, the temple was opened to the devotees for darshan.
• The Chunchanagiri guest house can accommodate 5000 devotees.

Festivals of Adichunchanagiri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple

• On Kalabhairava Jayanti, devotees perform Poojas, reciting and reading the stories of Kalabhairaveshwara to wash away their sins and attain everlasting happiness in their lives.
• On the day of Kalashtami, which falls every month, people worship Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy for financial stability, peace of mind, and success. The deity protects his devotees from negative emotions, enemies, and evil spirits.

Benefits of Worshipping in Adichunchanagiri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple

Kalabhairava is the ruling deity of Saturn. Hence, offering prayers to him on Saturdays relieves the devotees from the adverse effects of Saturn, the karmic planet.