The Yaksha Brahma temple located on the banks of Dandiganahallikere pond, is around 25 kms from Gouribidnur taluk. The temple comes under the jurisdiction of Minakanagurki gram panchayat near Manchenahalli village.
Since the temple is located beside the pond, it is popularly known as ‘Kodi Brahma Deva.’ The total area of the pond is 350 acres. It is said that if the bund of the tank breaks up, then about 580 acres of land can been irrigated and cultivated.
The temple hosts the historically famous 5 feet idol of Lord Brahma Deva. It is believed that this idol is an ‘Udhbhava Murthy.’ Various jewellery have been prepared for idol. The horse of the Lord is also engraved with beautiful artitechture.
A sanctum sanctorum has been constructed, which has a mahadwara to it. While, walls made out of stones are erected in front of the sanctum sanctorum, there are no dwaras to these rooms.
It is believed that Lord Brahma Yaksha, goes on a vigil in the night around the town and to ensure that there are no hindrances during his visits, the entrances are kept open.
There are footsteps of the horse rode by Lord Yaksha Brahma, imprinted on the mountain, located behind the sanctum santorum. There are no historical records to establish the identity of the persons who have constructed the temple, or as to who had carved the idol of Lord Brahma Deva.
However, the mahadwara of the sanctum santorum was fixed on August 25, 1895. In 1990, a Sheetalnath Thirthankara temple was constructed near the Brahma Deva temple.
There is another small temple beside the Brahma Deva temple. An idol of God, which was discovered while ploughing the fields, has been installed in this temple. It is also a tradition that families whose ‘Mane Devaru’ is Lord Brahma Deva, are supposed to observe all their auspicious and religious events at the temple.
Traditional ceremonies like - piercing of the ears to infants, choula, thread ceremony, marriages, etc, - all such events are celebrated in this temple, according to the family beliefs.
Bahubali idol
Rituals like ‘Brahma Neeru’ and ‘Rach Neeru’ are also observed in this temple. Trustee of Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Swamy Veerendra Heggade had inaugurated the Bahubali idol, installed on top of the hillock.
Special poojas are offered on every Thursdays and Sundays. After the Panchamrutha Abhisheka, oil and sandalwood paste is applied to the idol and it is decorated with jewellery. Later on, ‘Mangalarathi’ is performed and the oil and the sandalwood paste is offered to the devotees as prasad.
A special jathra is organised every year on Amavasya in Pushyamaasa. Devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra throng to this temple on the occasion. People from Jain religion have shown keen interest in developing this temple. If the Forest department plants saplings around this temple, the area could soon be developed into a pilgrimage spot.