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Vishnu's haunt

Mahimapura offers cultural heritage and natural beauty

SHOOTING SPOT Several films have been filmed at Mahimapura

Mahimapura could be just another ordinary village located off the busy Bangalore-Pune highway. What makes it different from the rest is its rich and exotic cultural heritage and soothing natural beauty. Mahimapura is a must visit location for anyone remotely interested in nature, history and the culture and traditions of the State. The ancient Mahima Ranganathaswamy temple that crowns the quaint, wooded hillock here is perhaps the most important landmark of the village, with its exquisitely sculpted pillars, serene surroundings and immaculate purity.

According to the temple priest, this Vijayanagara-style temple is one of its kind because Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, assumes as much importance as his master. Mahima Ranganathaswamy, the temple's presiding deity, is a naturally evolved rock shaped like a small mound of jaggery. Worship happens in the temple only in the morning and there is no worship during the nights, as it is believed that divine sages visit it during the evenings. Mahimapura is also popular among Kannada filmmakers and several films have been shot here, featuring stars such as Devraj and Shashi Kumar among others.

To reach the Mahimaranganathaswamy temple on the hilltop, one has to undertake a steep 300-foot climb over steps hewn into the side of the hill. Statues of Garuda, Lakshmi and Ranganatha are enshrined inside the quaint temple. The temple's large outer courtyard (navaranga) has several exquisitely carved Vijayanagar-style pillars adorned with well-executed images of dancers, musicians, sages, kings and warriors. The tall shikhara of the sanctum sanctorum, built of brick, is a visual treat visible for long distances in all directions.

Getting there

Road: To get to Mahimapura, take the Bangalore-Pune road. Travel on the NH 4 beyond Nelamangala for about 45 km. At this point, a board with the village's name points left, towards a small diversion. The kilometre and a half of semi-paved road, generously endowed with potholes, leads to the base of the hill.

Bus: KSRTC plies three buses to Mahimapura daily. There are several local buses plying between the village and Nelamangala/ Bangalore.

KISHORE PATWARDHAN

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