Abode of Serpent God
Sri Mukti Naga temple is located amidst serene rural ambience of Ramohalli village, about 18 km from Bengaluru and 5 km off Mysuru highway. This shrine has a large monolithic statue of Lord Nagaraja with seven heads. The majestic, awe-inspiring idol is 16 feet tall, weighing 36 tons. The temple complex is an assemblage of temples with different deities, spread on both sides of the road. Local people say that the complex has a history of two centuries. The place is considered to be a veritable abode of serpents, and a haven of peace.
Mukti Naga idol is reckoned as the divine manifestation of Lord Subrahmanya in his serpent form, and is hence dedicated to him. Legend has it that a huge cobra, 20 feet in length and more than 100 years old, lived here, two centuries ago. Even today the place is supposed to be inhabited by myriad varieties of serpents.
There is an interesting story about this temple's origin. Long ago, a villager called Maribettaiah used to worship the idol of Nagappa, the snake god (also known as Junjappa) found under a banyan tree in this location. So the place was earlier known as Junjappana Bayalu (Junjappa's field). The small idol of Nagappa is still kept in a small shrine in the complex as Moola Naga or Adi Mukti Naga.
The new temple complex is around fifteen years old. Construction of the complex and the main shrine of Mukti Naga are believed to have been done as per the will of Lord Subrahmanya. The huge Naga idol was sculptured at Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, brought here and installed under the presence of Sreekanta Datta Wodeyar.
Devotees first visit a hutta (anthill)
situated on the right side of the road, in the middle of an open ground. The serpent Mukti Naga is believed to be living inside this anthill. After making nine pradakshinas around it, devotees provide offerings of milk, food and flowers to the snake god and light lamps.
Karya Siddhi Vinayaka and Devi Patladamma (considered the incarnation of Goddess Parvathi) are other two shrines that are worshipped by devotees. Once these are completed, devotees offer worship to Mukti Naga. This main temple is the biggest in the complex, and has a stone pillared mantapa in the front. The majestic idol in its gigantic form is invariably decorated with floral garlands or with sandal paste and is indeed a
memorable sight. Another mantapa with a gallery of 1008 stone Naga Banas (cobras' hoods), each varying in design, shape and size, attracts visitors.
A giant monolith statue of Lord
Subrahmanya has been sculptured and kept ready for installation. Devotees are allowed to worship here by climbing on to a ladder-like pathway reaching up to the head of the statue.
Naga Panchami, Vasanthotsava,
Pallakki Utsava and Rathotsava are the major festive occasions in Mukti Naga Shrine, when thousands of devotees visit to seek the blessings of this Serpent God.
Sri Mukti Naga temple is located amidst serene rural ambience of Ramohalli village, about 18 km from Bengaluru and 5 km off Mysuru highway. This shrine has a large monolithic statue of Lord Nagaraja with seven heads. The majestic, awe-inspiring idol is 16 feet tall, weighing 36 tons. The temple complex is an assemblage of temples with different deities, spread on both sides of the road. Local people say that the complex has a history of two centuries. The place is considered to be a veritable abode of serpents, and a haven of peace.
Mukti Naga idol is reckoned as the divine manifestation of Lord Subrahmanya in his serpent form, and is hence dedicated to him. Legend has it that a huge cobra, 20 feet in length and more than 100 years old, lived here, two centuries ago. Even today the place is supposed to be inhabited by myriad varieties of serpents.
There is an interesting story about this temple's origin. Long ago, a villager called Maribettaiah used to worship the idol of Nagappa, the snake god (also known as Junjappa) found under a banyan tree in this location. So the place was earlier known as Junjappana Bayalu (Junjappa's field). The small idol of Nagappa is still kept in a small shrine in the complex as Moola Naga or Adi Mukti Naga.
The new temple complex is around fifteen years old. Construction of the complex and the main shrine of Mukti Naga are believed to have been done as per the will of Lord Subrahmanya. The huge Naga idol was sculptured at Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, brought here and installed under the presence of Sreekanta Datta Wodeyar.
Devotees first visit a hutta (anthill)
situated on the right side of the road, in the middle of an open ground. The serpent Mukti Naga is believed to be living inside this anthill. After making nine pradakshinas around it, devotees provide offerings of milk, food and flowers to the snake god and light lamps.
Karya Siddhi Vinayaka and Devi Patladamma (considered the incarnation of Goddess Parvathi) are other two shrines that are worshipped by devotees. Once these are completed, devotees offer worship to Mukti Naga. This main temple is the biggest in the complex, and has a stone pillared mantapa in the front. The majestic idol in its gigantic form is invariably decorated with floral garlands or with sandal paste and is indeed a
memorable sight. Another mantapa with a gallery of 1008 stone Naga Banas (cobras' hoods), each varying in design, shape and size, attracts visitors.
A giant monolith statue of Lord
Subrahmanya has been sculptured and kept ready for installation. Devotees are allowed to worship here by climbing on to a ladder-like pathway reaching up to the head of the statue.
Naga Panchami, Vasanthotsava,
Pallakki Utsava and Rathotsava are the major festive occasions in Mukti Naga Shrine, when thousands of devotees visit to seek the blessings of this Serpent God.