Divine flautist atop hill
R. KRISHNAMURTHI
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The journey up Gopalaswamy Betta provides a feast for the eyes.
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PICTURESQUE: A view of the Santana Gopalaswamy temple.
Gopalaswamy Betta, part of the Bandipur national park in Karnataka, is famous for the temple of Himavat Gopalaswamy or Santanagopalaswamy.
Betta in Kannada means a hill, and the temple is located on a hill to the north-east of Bandipur, at a distance of about 30 km and about 15 kilometres from Gundulpet (in Karnataka).
A frequent visitor to Bandipur I never had the chance to make it to Gopalaswamy Betta until an opportunity came last June when we hired a taxi to visit Mudumalai and Bandipur (from Coimbatore).
As there was not much of movement of animals at the Bandipur Safari, we felt a visit to Gopalaswamy Betta would be a better bet, and were in the precincts of the temple after an hour's journey. The climb on the ghat section was rather tough and those travelling by car should therefore make sure that the vehicle is fit for the job.
The scenic beauty was breathtaking, all the way to the top, where the temple is located. Steps have been provided to reach it from the ground level. Around it, there is a spacious enclosure for circumambulation.
Rajagopuram
The dwajasthamba and one bali peetam are in front of the muka mantapa. The Rajagopuram is single-tiered and rests on the compound wall of the enclosure. At the four corners of the enclosing wall are the statuettes of Garudazhwar. There is a sikara over the sanctum sanctorum. On the parapet wall of the façade of muka mantapa is the `dasavatara' panel in stucco work, Krishnavatara occupying the centre. From the muka mantapa, one is led to the garbha graha where we are greeted by the idol of Krishna with flute under `vanni' tree (Mandara Vriksha).
On His right are Krishna's friends. He is in a dance pose with the left big toe resting on the right one. Just below the friends of Krishna in the panel are the gollar (milk sellers) and a herd of cows. Lord Venugopalaswamy idol is flanked by His consorts, Rukmani and Satyabhama.
Above the `prabhavalli' of Venugopalaswamy is the Nrisimha panel. The temple was built in 1315 AD by Perumal Dananayaka, a Chola Viceroy.
The picturesque surroundings make amends for the absence of architectural glory and inscriptional wealth.
There are 77 theerthams in the temple. Taking a dip in `Thottil Theertham' and then worshipping Venugopalaswamy and His consorts will confer `putra bhagya' according to the temple priest.
The `thottil theertham' is a vast expanse of water in the valley on the west from the outermost enclosure.
Tips for journey
To reach the temple, go to Gundulpet (90-minute journey from Mysore or an hour's journey from Chamrajnagar) and from there take the diversion road off Gundulpet-Bandipur road. After about a kilometre, the road leading to the temple branches off to the left. And the ghat section commences from the forest check-post. A toll of Rs. 25 per vehicle is collected to go on the ghat section. Since only a few buses ply to Gopalaswamy Betta from Gundulpet near Mysore, it is better that visitors check the bus timings at Gundulpet for the return trip also.
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