Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Sri Ramanuja came to this part after escaping from the whole country here a join by name Hoysala Bittideva was the ruler, Sri Ramanuja got him converted to a Vaishnava and named him Vishnuvardhana. Sri Ramanuja got much wealth and the lands of eight villages from the ruler. He nominated certain office bearers named as prabhus or Hebbars to administer over the service of the lord in the year 1454 A.D. The Lord would be taken in a procession to this mantap on the birthday of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar Viz the Ashada, Bahula, Bidige. The celebrations on that day would be called Sakkare Pongal ustava. After Sri Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar came to the throne these ustavas were being celebrated even upto 1953-54 and on the day of the ustavas that was being done in memory of the mummadi King the Courtiers vidwans and other important persons of the palace would attend the celebrations. It is mentioned in the Puranas that the Ganga mixes with Cauvery once in a year to reacquire her purity. According to Garuda Purana, Kaveri, who was brought to the earth by Sage Agastya, is said to yearn for association with Vishnu just like Ganga and Yamuna. So Vishnu self-manifested Svayamvyakta in many places along the river.

Threat during invasions : Once when a enemies troop had entered into the border of the Mysore territory. Hyder started with an army to oppose the enemies in the fight. The enemies were having the upper hand and the Hyder’s army was between the river Godavary, on one hand and the enemy troops on the other. Hyder was confused and despondent. At the critical moment he prayed to Lord Ranganatha. Immediately the river Godavary dried up, so that the Mysore army could safely cross the river. when the enemy troop followed them the Godavary was in floods, so that enemies could not cross the river. Hyder now returned safely with his army to Srirangapatna and once again after offering prayers to the Lord he started with his army to oppose the enemies and returned successfully. This incident brings out well the great devotion of Hyder Ali towards Lord Ranganatha and the greatness of the Lord. In the year 1774 A.D. when the Kotarothsava was being celebrated on the eighth day all of a sudden a fire caused a little danger. The Maharaja was grieved by the mishap. In order to please him and see that no inconvenience was greatly caused to the ustava. Hyder instantly ordered workmen to construct a stone mantap at the very same place. The next day the new mantap was ready by the time the ustava had to commence. the new mantap got the name of pathala mantap form then onwards. the Kotharothsava now are being celebrated in the Pathala Mantap. In the fight with English, Tippu was defeated by them. He had to play a large sum of money as tribute to the English. But he had no sufficient money with him. He therefore took some valuable ornaments from the temple and gave them to the English. Later some of the ornaments went in to the hands of French which later went to the Russian and which can see even now in Kremlin.The remaining ornaments was that of Lord Ranganatha. There were considered to be donation of Tippu and On them are carved as donated by Tippu Sultan.