Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple, Mysore

Bhu Varaha Swamy

Vishnu is the Supreme God of protection and sustenance. Whenever the earth was overtaken by evil and injustice, he took Avatars to annihilate the wicked, protect the virtuous, and establish Dharma, the righteousness. While the famous legend Bhagavatha Purana speaks about the many incarnations the Lord took on earth, 10 of them assume much significance and are together known as Dasavatar. Varaha is the third of these Vishnu Avatars and refers to the wild boar incarnation of the Lord. Since Vishnu, as Varaha, the wild boar, rescued Bhu (Bhoo), the mother earth, from the clutches of the demon, he is known as Bhu Varaha Swamy.

Here, we will learn about Bhu Varaha Swamy and the Bhuvaraha Swamy Temple or Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple, Mysore.

The Varaha Legend

Demon Hiranyaksha and his brother Hiranyakasipu obtained tremendous powers thanks to the boons they got through severe penance. Emboldened by his might, Hiranyaksha once took away the earth and hid it at the bottom of the sea, landing Mother Earth and all her children, the earthly beings, in untold miseries. And Vishnu rushed to their rescue, assumed the form of a mighty wild boar, plunged to the bottom of the sea, took on the cruel demon, fought a fierce battle and slew him, and saved Bhoo Devi, the Mother Earth and brought succor to the lives.

The world hailed its great benefactor and started worshiping him as Bhu Varaha Swamy. Many temples have come up over the ages dedicated to him, and one of them is the Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple (Bhuvaraha Swamy Temple), Mysore.

This Sacred abode of Bhu Varaha Swamy is located in Kalhalli, a small village near Mysore town in Karnataka state. It also lies on the banks of River Hemavati.

Bhoo Varahaswamy (Bhuvaraha Swamy) Temple – History & Legend

It is said that this Temple, in some form, must have existed even before 2500 years, and that vouches for its antiquity. It is also widely believed that Gautama, the great sage did penance in this holy place, which added to its significance, especially among the local populace.

The legend also links the location where the Temple stands now with the famous Hoysala king Veera Ballala. As per the story in circulation, this area was once a forest where the king went hunting, lost his way, became tired, and rested under a tree. Then, he happened to notice something strange happening right before him. A dog was chasing a rabbit at some distance, but when they reached a particular point, the rabbit stopped, turned around, and began chasing the dog.

The king thought it unusual, felt that particular spot has got some significance or supernatural powers, and soon got the place dug and examined. And Lo and behold, there emerged the majestic idol of Bhu Varaha Swamy from the depths of the earth's layers. Ecstatic with his unexpected find, the king built a Temple there itself for Lord Varaha and arranged for its regular worship.

But it was no ordinary image. The Varaha idol, Made of grey stone, towered to a height of 18 feet. This main deity enshrined in the sanctum is seated on a pedestal, with Bhoodevi sitting on his left lap. This Goddess' image is about 3.5 feet tall. The sculpture of Lord Hanuman can also be seen under the deity. The Bhu Varaha Swamy, the Vishnu Avatar, holds the conch and discus in his upper hands, while his mighty weapon Sudarshana Chakra is also found carved on the idol's back. The Lord embraces the Divine Mother Bhoo Devi with his lower left hand while holding the protective Abhaya Mudra in his lower right hand.

River Hemavati flows by the side of the Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple. During monsoon, it can be in spate when its waters can even touch the Temple's outer walls. But otherwise, the Temple of the river bank offers a pleasant sight, where grand celebrations like the annual festival and Varaha Jayanti are held with much enthusiasm. Thousands of devotes from nearby villages and across the region take part in the festivities, offer payers to the deity and fulfill their vows.