Lakshmi Ramana Temple - Mysore Palace Complex

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Mysore Palace is one of India's most spectacular and prominent sites. Besides the main palace, the complex has several other structures and twelve temples. Among them, Sri Lakshmi Ramana Temple is the oldest and a prominent one. It is located toward the west of the main palace. 

During the Chola period, the deity of the temple was called Nambi Narayana. However, the current image can be attributed to the later Hoysala period. 

The father of Krishnadevaraya, the great Vijayanagara Emperor, Narasa Nayaka patronized the temple by making grants to ensure regular maintenance. We learn this from an inscription dating 1499 CE.

The stunning five-tiered tower at the entrance was originally constructed by Raja Wodeyar I in the early 1600s. His statue is seen in a sub-shrine in the corridor around the sanctum. As per an inscription found on a beam on the temple tower, a chieftain named Dalavayi Nanjarajayya bribed the priest Srinivasaiah to poison the king. However, the king had a miraculous escape. As an act of reverence, he built the entrance and tower. 

After the demise of their powerful enemy Tipu Sultan, with the wish to restore their lost glory, the Mysore Royal Family held the coronation of five years old Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in this temple. This King renovated the temple tower and the entire structure in 1851. 

The one-meter tall icon of Lakshmi Ramana (Vishnu) holding discus and conch in his two upper arms and in the standing posture, is enshrined in the sanctum.

The sub-shrines of Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika and Visaka Acharya with his four disciples are located in the Maha mandapa.

The Goddess Aravinda Mahalakshmi is found in a shrine located in the prakara (circumambulatory path). An exquisitely carved tall figure of Venugopala is also seen in the prakara. 

The exquisitely done mandapa, found in the rear side, was built during the times of Kanteeva Narasaraja Wodeyar in the mid 1600s. 

The flagstaff and bali peetha (offering platform) are found opposite to the main shrine. 

Happy travelling.





Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.






Location: Mysuru, Karnataka, India

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