Temples of Karnataka - Himavada Gopalaswami Betta - Sri.Himavad Gopalaswami Temple

Sri.Himavad Gopalaswami Temple

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Cartographic Details

Latitude	11.72083333 North
Longitude	76.58043333 East
Elevation	1480 Meters Above MSL
Place	Himavada Gopalaswami Betta
Village	-
Hobli	Hangala
Taluk	Gundlupet
District	Chamarajanagara
State	Karnataka

Description about the temple

Sri.Himavad Gopalaswami temple was constructed in 12th Century AD by the Hoysala Kings. The temple is situated on a hill which is actually an extension of Western Ghats and is surrounded by thick jungle on all three sides. The temple is restored in a Dravidian style and outer protection wall is constructed at a later stage.

The temple consists of main diety Sri.Gopalaswamy, the image is beautifully carved out of Krishna Shile, and is about 7 feet in height including the prabhavali. The idol of Krishna, is very beautifully carved and he is standing in a Tribhangi posture. The Venu Vadan(Flute Recital) is so soothing, you can observe the Gopalas(Cowherds) listening to it and dancing to the tune, also the Gopikas are also deeply immersed in the music. You can find Shravana Kumara's in sitting posture. All the Dashavathara forms are depicted in the Prabhavali and you can find Honne tree under which Sri.Krishna is standing. Also, you can see calf suckling and enjoying the music, where as the cow is completeley unaware of the calf suckling and is deeply involved in listening to music. Down below you can find Rukmini and Satyabhama standing on either side of Sri.Krishna.

Since, Sri.Krishna is standing and playing his flute and as he is surrounded by Gopalas, Gopikas and Govu(Cows), he is termed as Gopala Swamy or Gopala Krishna. The entire sculpture is a Hoysala Master piece and you can find similar images in Belavadi, Nonavinakere, Nuggehalli, etc.,

Now coming to the name Himavad - Hima means snow in Kannada/Sanskrit/Hindi, vad - meaning covered with, as this place is in a altitude of 1400+ meters above Sea Level and is always covered with clouds, the precipitation occurs on the temple Gopura and water almost freezes as it trickles downs granite stone, which is still at a lower temperature, it freezes to form small droplets of ice. Hence, the term Himavad - (Covered with snow). You can find the freezing water falling on the idol as well as in the main entrance of the Garbhagriha. Please ask the Purohith, to spray that water on you, so that you can feel the coldness, as well see it for yourself as to how it gets collected.

It would be good if you could take a pradakshina around the main Garbhagriha and enjoy the dampness what the building faces year long. Also, there is a Lakshmi temple outside the main temple which is onto the right of the main temple. You can find Lakshmi in a seated position over here.

Coming out of the main temple you will find huge platform neatly covered with concrete which helps you to take a pradakshina, make sure you are packed with wollen clothings, before coming to this place as it would be very chilly during monsoon and winter seasons. You can enjoy the beauty of tropical forest and taking a walk you can find lot of Elephant movements if you are lucky. Also, be careful before you venture out into the wild Elephant Grass and be careful about.

The best part of this place is you will not find any crows, the legend says that once a crow had a dip in the near by pond and it turned into a swan and henceforth, no crows are to be seen here. Also, a old forest guest house is situated near the temple and its worth taking a walk till that point and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Protected Monument

Protected under	THE KARNATAKA ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND ARCHÆOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS ACT, 1961.
Conserved & Maintained by	DIRECTORATE OF ARCHAEOLOGY & MUSEUMS, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, MYSORE DIVISION.

Historical Details

Period	Hoysala	Style	Hoysala/Dravida
Facing	East Direction	No of Kutas	Ekakuta
Pedastal	No	Ground Plan and Elevation

How to reach Himavada Gopalaswami Betta

From Bangalore 221 kms

From DHQ Chamarajanagara 49 kms

Route :
1.Bangalore-Mysore(SH 17)-Nanjangud-Gundlupet(NH 212)-Hangala-(NH )-Himavad Gopala Swamy Betta.

2.Chamarajanagara-Gundlupet(SH 17C)-Hangala-Himavad Gopala Swamy Betta.

3.Ooty-Bandipur-Hangala-Himavad Gopala Swamy Betta.

Road :
If you are travelling from Mysore towards Bandipur, just after Gundlupet you need to drive for about 8 kms till you reach a small hamlet called Hangala, take a right deviation for about 11 kms and you will reach this fantastic location admist thick forest and if you are lucky you can spot Elephants.

Forest Check Post would collect an entry fees of Rs.50/- for Car and Rs.25/- for Two Wheeler.

Please Note : You are not allowed to enter after 1700 hrs.

Rail :
Nearest Railway station is at Chamarajanagara/Nanjangud. But one can also reach Mysore Junction and then head by road.

Airport :
The nearest Airport at the moment is Bangalore International Airport, heading either by Road or Rail from Bangalore is more suitable.

If Mysore Airport becomes operational, it would be the nearest air base to approach Himavad Gopala Swamy Betta.

Near by Temples to visit

Near by temples in about 30 kms radial distance. Note : The actual road distance might vary please enquire locally. The temples are listed from South to North Direction.

1. Hangala - Sri.Varadaraja Swami

2. Terakanambi - Sri.Trayambakeshwara

3. Gundlupet - Sri.Vijaya Narayana

4. Gundlupet - Sri.Para Vasudeva

5. Raghavapura - Sri.Lakshmi Narayana

6. Raghavapura - Sri.Rameshwara

Amenities and other useful details

Restaurant : Data to be populated, please visit later

Hotel: Data to be populated, please visit later

ATM: Data to be populated, please visit later

Transportation: Data to be populated, please visit later

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