Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple

Introduction to the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple

Biligiri Ranganna Temple or Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple is on the top of Biligiri Ranga (BR) Hills at Chamarajanagar, Yelandur Taluk, Karnataka.

The BR hills belong to Thiru Venkatanatha, Bilikal (white rock). Notable and breathtaking sculptures of Saraswati, Krishna, and Anjaneya are carved on the pillars of the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. Even in the scorching summer, this hilltop temple is cool amidst the lush greenery and the hills.

Legend of the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple

As per the legend, Sage Vasishta performed a penance on the Biligiri Ranga hills for Venkateswara. He appeared before him and blessed him. Sage Vasishta installed the Ranganatha Swamy idol to mark this moment and worshipped him. It is said that Rama and Lakshmana, in search of Sita Devi, reached Biligiri Ranga hills and offered prayers to Ranganatha Swamy.

As per the local folklore, Ranganatha Swamy fell in love with a girl named Kusumabale from Solinga dame community and married her. Hence, they treat Ranganatha Swamy as their brother-in-law.

The Architecture of the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple

The Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple is 500 years old. It features the Dravidian style of architecture. Granite stones were used for building the entire temple. Devotees climb 150 steps to reach the hilltop. Vishnuvardhana, the Hoysala King, and Paleyagar Sree Mudduraju of Hadinadu built the temple in 1667.

It is facing the east direction. The presiding deity of the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple is Ranganatha Swamy. He is also called Srinivasa and Venkateswara. The deity is 5 feet in height. Ranganatha Swamy graces his devotees in a standing posture; he is dressed as a hunter with a dagger in the belt. A pair of sandals has been kept in the sanctum. People believe that Ranganatha Swamy wears sandals and goes to the forest at night daily. The worn-out sandals are replaced with new pairs. A local tribe offers the sandals to the deity even now. There is a separate shrine for his consort, Ranganayaki.

The Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple houses the idols of Ramanujacharya, Venkatacharya, and Nammalvar, the Vaishnava disciples. Adjacent to the Ranganathaswamy temple is the Mahalakshmi temple. Kalyani Kola or Theertha Tharuva Kola is a holy pond at a walkable distance. Every day, the temple opens only after water is brought from this pond.

These hills were given as Datti (gift) to the Poornaiah, the erstwhile Mysuru Samsthana of the Wodeyar period. There are Sree Gangadhareshwara temple, Sree Anjaneyaswamy temple, and Sri Gajendraswamy temple close to the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

Festivals in the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple

The temple celebrates Rathotsava every year in January, followed by the Sankranti festival.

Brahma Rathotsava is for nine days in April last week or May first week. During the occasion, the local tribes from Boodi Tittu village present a large pair of slippers made of skin measuring 1 foot and 9 inches to Ranganathaswamy once in two years.

Vaikunta Ekadashi, Kargalade festival- Ugadi festival, Dhanurmasa Pooja, and Vishesha Pooja in February are other important festivals observed in the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple

Devotees visit the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple and offer prayers for salvation, wealth, and wisdom. Many people pray to the deity to relieve their diseases. They firmly believe that the deity can grant them their wishes.

There is a belief that if married couples visit the Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple and worship Ranganatha Swamy and Ranganayaki together by performing special seva, they can have a good life, a strong bond, and progeny.