Cradle of Kannada spirituality

Unique Tradition

The Kodandarama Temple in Hiremagaluru has been striving to protect the State’s linguistic heritage by practising the recital of mantras in Kannada, writes Kushal V R

At a time when many are moving away from Kannada, a group of like-minded persons in Chikkamagaluru has brought about a revolutionary change by undertaking a small yet interesting initiative.

This endeavour was done by promoting Kannada consciousness at a profoundly elementary level — one’s religious inclination. Reaching out to the spiritual needs of the masses, the Kodandarama Temple in Hiremagaluru of Chikkamagaluru district has been ardently encouraging and practising the recital of mantras and the worship of the Lord in Kannada.

On the progressive path

Starting out as an experimental initiative that was conceptualised by a few progressive souls of the village, the idea in essence was the brainchild of Hiremagaluru Savyasachi Swamiji, a famous Sanskrit scholar, who was the Temple priest.

Vowing to encourage the proliferation of Kannada into the Vedic rituals and hymns for better access and understanding, he relentlessly translated Sanskrit verses that are used in the worshipping of the Lord into simple Kannada verses over the years.

Savyasachi’s effort is now taking a proper shape under the able leadership of his son Hiremagaluru Kannan or Kannan Mama, as he is fondly known. Together, they have actively transformed the Temple into a cradle of Kannada spirituality.

Modest and simple in appearance, the Temple’s exterior resembles the Dravidian architectural style complete with the stuccos of several deities and a resplendent gopura. However, the Temple as a whole is an amalgamation of various architectural styles with the mukhamantapa and antarala bearing resemblance to the Vijayanagara style, while the sanctum sanctorum and sukanasi showcase the famed Hoysala craftsmanship.

The main deity, Lord Kodandarama, adorns the sanctum sanctorum accompanied by his consort Sita to his right and his brother Lakshmana to his left. This disposition holds a unique status as it is considered to be the only such arrangement in the entire country where Sita is said to be on the right.

According to Hindu mythology, the reason for this arrangement is Parashurama, the divine sage, who is said to have been vanquished by Lord Rama at this very place. Humbled by his defeat, the sage requests Rama to reenact his wedding rites as he couldn not witness the same. The Lord complied and suggested his wife and brother to stand in this arrangement.

Thus, in commemoration of this divine reenactment, the idols of the deities too bear resemblance to the same. Fashioned in black saligrama stone, the idols are said to have been worshipped for a thousand years. Rama and Lakshmana are seen armed with their weapon of choice, the bow and arrow, thus giving the Temple its present name. Standing composed atop a pedestal engraved with the carving of Lord Rama’s most ardent devotee Anjaneya, the deities are the cynosure of all eyes.

In addition to the main deity, the temple also houses smaller shrines dedicated to Yoganarasimha, Sugreeva, Ramanujacharya and other Alwar saints. The outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum have several intricate and beautiful figurines of Ganesha, Kalingamardana Krishna and the Dashavathara carved in the inimitable Hoysala style.

Better appreciation

However, what strikes one even more is that the invocation of the deities is performed entirely in Kannada without a trace of Sanskrit, giving us better lucidity and appreciation of the verses being chanted. Smilingly reassuring to the confused souls amongst the crowd who had long been accustomed to the Sanskrit verses, the priest (who happens to be the younger son of Savyasachi) revealed that for all intents and purposes, Kannada was the only language used in Temple’s rituals and incantations for several years.

Even the Temple walls have been adorned by plaques that contain Savyasachi Swamiji’s Kannada translations of the Sanskrit verses and their meanings. Adding a philosophical hue to this spiritual shade are Hiremagaluru Kannan’s interesting nudimuttugalu (‘anecdotes’). These are displayed as tablets along the Temple’s mukhamatapa and inner walls. The anecdote expounding the parent-child relationship at different stages of a man’s life is a must read.

One of the noticeable aspects of the Temple is its cleanliness. It stands testimony to the popular adage, ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’. This has been accomplished by the persistent efforts of the Temple priest & administrative committee and it stands out from other temples, despite it being affiliated to the State’s endowment department.

When questioned about it, the simple words smilingly uttered by the priest left me amazed. “There is no work that is below the dignity of a priest if it serves the Lord,” he said, remembering his father’s words of keeping the shrine clean when he was young. However, he admits that it was only when he assumed the priesthood did he realise the importance of maintaining its neatness, which adds to the Temple’s charm.

In this era of globalisation where many Kannadigas have willingly embraced the ethos of a multilingual society, neglecting their own roots in the process, it is heartwarming to know that there still exist pockets that are resisting the temptation to succumb to these diktats. Though in its own small way, the Temple is fully committed to the cause of protecting the language’s proud heritage.

Paying obeisance to this holy shrine and its people who still sing paeans of our language, we walked out with our heads held high and a smile beaming on our faces, fully assured that with devoted souls like these our beautiful language would not be seeing her last days yet.

Getting there

Hiremagaluru is about five km from Chikkamagaluru town. It is located close to the Chikkamagaluru-Belur (SH-57) road. There is a regular Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus service from the Chikkamagaluru Bus Stand as buses en-route to Belur pass through this place. Alternatively, one can also hire an auto. The Temple is open in the mornings and evenings during select timings only, so ensure its timings in advance.