Nestled about 25 km from the posh M G Road, Bangalore is a small hamlet called Begur off Bomanhalli on the Hosur highway. This insignificant village was once a great center of Sanskrit and Vedic studies; sadly today amid the ravages of time subsist a reminder, and is the 1300-year-old Sri Pancha Lingaeshwara or Begur Temple. Sri Kulutunga Raja the First of Chola Dynasty, and Sri Rajasimhanandi of Talakad Ganga Dynasty built this Temple in 8th century A D. They built about 108 Temples in South India, and this Temple is 18th in hierarchy. Built in granite the Temple reflects simplicity and grandeur, and truly has an ambience that is spiritual and sanctified.
Main Deity
Sri Parvati Sametha Nagaeshwara Swamy Linga This Shrine has a Nava Ranga, and is an area where devotees can pray looking towards the Garbha Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Sri Parvati Sametha Nagaeshwara Swamy Linga. There are Idols of Sri Ganesha, Sri Chamundaeshwari, Sri Kaala Bhairava, Sri Vishnu, Sri Soorya Narayana, Sri Chandra, Sri Sapta Matruka and Sri Kashi Vishwanatha facing north towards Kashi in the Nava Ranga. Another interesting aspect here is that the idol of Sri Soorya Narayana (Sun God) is placed facing west towards this Linga, and according to B N Lakshman, nephew and assistant Priest to B S Ananth Deekshitar, this probably is the only Temple in India where Sri Soorya Narayana is placed like this. Traditional Temple Vaasthu Shastraa proclaims that the idol of Sri Soorya Narayana should be placed facing east. This Temple also has a small shrine dedicated to Him. This positioning according to B N Lakshman Deekshitar is to encompass the first rays of the rising sun on the Moola Vigraha, or the Linga. This Temple is also known as Bhaskara Kshetra (Sun Temple).
There is a colourfully drawn Yantra (Divine Symbol) below carvings of Uma Maheshwara and Ashta Dik Palakas (8 Guarding Angels) on the ceiling. Standing here facing the Sri Parvati Sametha Nagaeshwara Linga and praying is said to ward off mental depression, enemies, disease and protection from black magic etc.
Area between Nava Ranga and Garbha Griha is a room known as Sukanaashi, and is a place where Pooja Samagri (Articles used for Pooja), and Utsava Moorthi (Idols used for processions during Temple Festivals are kept). This Linga is about 3.5 feet long and is usually adorned with jasmine, bilva leaves, kankambara flowers, vihbhuti (Sacred Ash), cloth and sandal paste etc.
Outside the Nava Ranga is an idol of Sri Nandi facing the Linga, and behind Sri Nandi is a Homa Kundam (Altar where Homam or a special type of Poojas are performed). There is a small Sri Nandi facing this Homa Kundam.
Other Deities
Sri Parvati or Dakshina Kali
There is a seperate shrine for Sri Parvati, and is represented by a five-foot idol of the Goddess. She is also known as Sri Dakshina Kali and standing left of this idol and praying is believed to cure all blood related diseases, including blood cancer. This divine form of Mother Goddess is the consort of Sri Nagaeshwara Swamy, and is never seen with other forms of Sri Shiva that are worshipped here. Praying to Her also bestows happiness, wealth and spiritual solace.
At the entrance to this shrine is the oldest idol of Sri Ganesha found in south India, and according to B S Ananth Deekshitar, Chief Priest, is about 1300 years old. According to recorded archeological documentation there are only two, two-handed Ganesha’s in the world and are in Pillarpatti, Tamil Nadu, and in Afghanistan. There is no mention of the Ganesha idol seen here. This Ganesha idol is in Chola tradition, and is seen holding a Linga in the right hand. The idol of Sri Karpaga Vinayaka at Pilliarpatti has the trunk turned to the right (Valampuri), and here it is to the left (Edampuri).
* “Pilliarpatti Temple is rock cut and probably was built around 4th century A.D. by Pandian Kings. A master sculptor called ‘Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan’ carved Sri Shiva Linga and idol of Sri Karpaga Vinayaka in this Temple. His signature on a stone inscription can be seen in the Sanctum Sanctorum and is inscribed in Tamil language that existed between 2nd and 5th century A.D. The idol at Afghanistan is in a standing posture and has a number of ornaments adoring the deity and was built at a later era*.
Picture and *Source: The wonder that is Pilliarpatti Author: Dr.V.Thenappan Published by: Karpagam Publications, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu- First Edition: Aug-1997
*1Two-handed Ganesha represent Pranava or Om, the sacred syllable from which Sri Parvati created Sri Ganesha. Sanskrit and Tamil are two ancient languages of India with divergent origin; yet, both eminently project the same heritage evolved in religion. Their alphabets are different, yet the letters, which represent OM, have a remarkable semblance. If the Sanskrit OM resembles the head of an elephant with a raised trunk, the Tamil OM has almost the same shape with a downward trunk. In fact, in all the major Indian languages, although the alphabets vary much, this resemblance is noticeable in all letters that represents OM*1.
Picture Courtesy and Source*1: Sri Ganesha by Srikant Published By: Integral Books, Payyanur, Kerala Revised Edition January 1995
There are also idols of Sri Subramanya in serpent form, Sri Soorya Narayana and a carving on the wall depicting a scene from the Puranas (Fables).
Sri Cholaeshwara Linga
The shrine of Sri Cholaeshwara is where unmarried girls come and pray, standing below the carved Ashta Dik Palakas (Eight Guardian Angels) and Uma Maheswara on the ceiling, for an early and good alliance. The Linga is about four feet high, and there are no other idols in the Nava Ranga here. There is a Sri Nandi in the Sukanaashi about two feet high facing the Lord.
Sri Kali Kamateshwara Linga
The idol of Sri Kali Kamateshwara is about three and a half feet high and is very similar to the idol of Sri Mookambika at Kollur. Both idols have a Linga (Depicted as the head of Sri Eashwara) placed at their feet. Here the idol is known as Kamateshwara Linga, and is less than one feet. On the ceiling of the Nava Ranga there is a Padma (Lotus) shaped carving and devotees come here and pray to Sri Kali Kamateshwara for Santhana Bhagya (Progeny), court disputes, health and protection from enemies etc.
In the Nava Ranga is an idol of Sri Ganesha. An idol of Sri Nandi faces this idol at the entrance of this shrine and is placed not directly to the idol, but towards the right. Hence it is not auspicious for Sri Nandi to face Shakti or Divine Mother in Rudra (Angry) form directly.
Sri Nagareshwara Linga
There is a huge idol of Sri Nandi (About four feet) in front of this Shrine of Sri Nagareshwara here in Begur. As mentioned earlier there is a Shrine for Sri Soorya Narayana here and is located behind this Sri Nandi. Here again the idol of Sri Soorya Narayana is placed East, facing West towards the Linga of Sri Nagareshwara.
In Nava Ranga here, there is Sri Rama Linga facing south towards Rameshwaram, Idols of Sri Chamundaeshwari, Sri Kaalabhairava and Sri Ganesha (Similar to the idol found outside the Shrine of Sri Parvati). There are carvings of Astha Dik Palakas (Eight Guardian Angels). Devotees stand right side of this Linga and pray for good business prospects and prosperity; and on the left side of this Linga for prevention and cure of eczema and other skin disorders. This is the largest of all Lingas in this Temple, and is over four feet tall
It is believed that Sri Kalinga Sarpa or five-hooded cobra resides in the Temple, blessing and protecting devotees who come there. In the night Saptha Rishis (Seven Sages) and Ashta Dik Palakas (Eight Guardian Angels) are believed to perform Poojas here.
Sri Karnaeashwara
The last Shrine is dedicated to Sri Karnaeashwara. This is the smallest of all the Lingas here and measure about two and a half feet. There is a small Sri Nandi in front of this Linga and is devoid of Nava Ranga and Sukanaashi. Devotees stand on the right side of the Linga for relief from stomach pain and other stomach and intestine related diseases, in front for ear pain and other ear related problems, and left side of Linga for paralysis, nervous problems and brain disorders.
There is also an altar for Nava Graha Mantapa (Nine Planets) in this Temple, and is near the Shrine of Sri Parvati.
The shrine for Sri Soorya Narayana is in front of Sri Nagaeshwara’s shrine, behind the idol of Sri Nandi.
The temples are between 1 and 2 km apart. The main idol is that of lord Shiva. On the eve of Shivaratri devotees perform pujas and stay awake the whole night. In the month of April there is a car festival visited by many people . This place is yet to get a mark as a tourist destination due to improper transport facilities and roads. Transport is mainly by BMTC buses and autos. Transportation facilities to this village is not a problem as Bangalore's BMTC buses arrives and departures every 5 min to all parts of the city. There are 5 major roads that connect Begur to rest of Bangalore. Now the connectivity to this temple is much better than earlier.2.5 km from Elevated highway(NH-7) roads also good.
• The Begur - Jigani road is supposed to be a 80 feet road.
• Begur to Hosur road via AECS (HAL) layout.
• Begur to Bannerghatta road via Hulimavu.
• Begur to Bommanahalli via Hongasandra.
• Begur to Electronic City via Bettadasanapura.
Festivals
Seven Days before Anuradha Star, during Chaitra (Mar-Apr) is Dwaja Rohana or hoisting the Vrishabha Flag on Dwaja Stambham (Flag Mast) inside the Temple. On the seventh day the Chariot Festival commences and different embellished Chariots carry the Utsava Moorthi (Festival Idols) of Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati. Some of the Chariots are Sri Nandi Vahana, Sri Vrishabha Vahana, Sri Shesha Vahana, Sri Gaja Vahana, Sri Soorya Mandala and Sri Ravana Vahana etc. During the last day of Temple Chariot Festival, Utsava Moorthi of Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati are taken out in a decorated Palanquin, and about 20 Utsava Moorthi from neighbouring Temples come here in decorated palanquins and participate in this grand Festival.
During this Festival, Kalayana Utsava or the marriage ceremony of Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati is conducted.
Shiana or consumation of these marriage vows between Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati is celebrated on the last day of this 13th day Festival. For this ceremony the idols are placed on a specially constructed bed with offerings of fruits and milk etc.
On Shiva Rathri (Feb), four Jaama Abhishekam are performed here. These special Abhishekam start at 5 AM and continue till 10.30 AM of the next day, and the Temple is opened for devotees to come and take part in these rituals.
Special Poojas are performed on Karthika Somvara (Oct-Nov), and the Temple is open from 5 AM to 10 PM.
During Navarathri Festival (Oct-Nov), Lalitha Sahasranama Pooja is performed to Sri Parvati. On the last day (Vijaya Dashami), Utsava Moorthi (Festival Idols) of Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati are taken out to the village in an adorned palanquin.
On Ugadi, Sri Rama Navami and Shankara Jayanthi (Adi Shankaracharya’s birthday) special Abhishekam’s are performed here.
Kalayana Utsava is performed on request of devotees, and the Temple Priest chooses the time and date for this ceremony.
Prodosha (Monthly) Poojas are performed in the evenings on the second day before Amavasya (New Moon).
During Dhanur Maasa (Dec-Jan), daily Poojas are performed at 3.30 AM and Mangalarati is performed before sunrise.
Seven Days before Anuradha Star, during Chaitra (Mar-Apr) is Dwaja Rohana or hoisting the Vrishabha Flag on Dwaja Stambham (Flag Mast) inside the Temple. On the seventh day the Chariot Festival commences and different embellished Chariots carry the Utsava Moorthi (Festival Idols) of Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati. Some of the Chariots are Sri Nandi Vahana, Sri Vrishabha Vahana, Sri Shesha Vahana, Sri Gaja Vahana, Sri Soorya Mandala and Sri Ravana Vahana etc. During the last day of Temple Chariot Festival, Utsava Moorthi of Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati are taken out in a decorated Palanquin, and about 20 Utsava Moorthi from neighbouring Temples come here in decorated palanquins and participate in this grand Festival.
During this Festival, Kalayana Utsava or the marriage ceremony of Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati is conducted.
Shiana or consumation of these marriage vows between Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati is celebrated on the last day of this 13th day Festival. For this ceremony the idols are placed on a specially constructed bed with offerings of fruits and milk etc.
On Shiva Rathri (Feb), four Jaama Abhishekam are performed here. These special Abhishekam start at 5 AM and continue till 10.30 AM of the next day, and the Temple is opened for devotees to come and take part in these rituals.
Special Poojas are performed on Karthika Somvara (Oct-Nov), and the Temple is open from 5 AM to 10 PM.
During Navarathri Festival (Oct-Nov), Lalitha Sahasranama Pooja is performed to Sri Parvati. On the last day (Vijaya Dashami), Utsava Moorthi (Festival Idols) of Sri Nagaeshwara and Sri Parvati are taken out to the village in an adorned palanquin.
On Ugadi, Sri Rama Navami and Shankara Jayanthi (Adi Shankaracharya’s birthday) special Abhishekam’s are performed here.
Kalayana Utsava is performed on request of devotees, and the Temple Priest chooses the time and date for this ceremony.
Prodosha (Monthly) Poojas are performed in the evenings on the second day before Amavasya (New Moon).
During Dhanur Maasa (Dec-Jan), daily Poojas are performed at 3.30 AM and Mangalarati is performed before sunrise.
Map:
