Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple – An Ancient Hindu Temple
Meaning of Aprameya – Lord Aprameya, the divine incarnation of Lord Narayana, has been the guiding force of the devotees for millennia. The term “Prameya” means something that has limits. However, “Aprameya” means the one that has no limits. It is “limitless” OR “infinite” in English OR “ಅನಂತ” in Indic languages.
Why is the Lord called Aprameya? – He is called so because he has no limits. That means his power is infinite, his knowledge is endless, and his love for his creation is without any limits, yet he stays detached from the created. Every activity that happens inside the micro and macro worlds is because of him. However, he does it without any attachment to it, thus expressing boundless detachment.
He effortlessly creates (ಸೃಷ್ಟಿ), sustains (ಸ್ಥಿತಿ), and destroys (ಲಯ) the Universe as if it is a routine thing that one will do daily. Lord can do and undo anything – for example, the Lord can smoothly restore a fully broken mirror to its original form only through his grace. That means he can effortlessly fix anything, including our life’s problems, in no time. So, meditating on the Lotus feet of Lord Aprameya becomes crucial to finding permanent solutions to our problems.
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History of Aprameya Temple
On the way to Mysuru from Bengaluru, at Chennapatna, if one takes a deviation and travels for 1 km inside, one will find the imposing tower of Rajagopura of Aprameya swami. The temple also houses the temple of his eternal consort, Aravindavalli, and the temple of the famous Ambegalu Krishna (Toddler Krishna).
The lord Sri Aprameya swamy temple, built during the Chola era, around the 9th century AD, has Dravidian-style architecture. The temple is facing the eastern direction with Mahadwara. The story of Dashavatra carved on the stone wall of the temple complex makes the walls look magnificent, and there is a Ratha mantapa and Purandara dasa mantapa in front of Garba Gudi. Also, a 30-foot-deep stamba (single stone pillar for light) is available inside the complex.
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Chaturbhuja Aprameya Swamy
Lord Aprameya Vigraha (idol) is in Chaturbhuja form, holding Panchajanya and Sudarshana Chakra in the upper hands. The lower hands have kaumodaki and lotus, thus standing gracefully with ever-pleasing face, giving the vibes of divinity.
Goddess Aravindavalli
There is a temple inside the main temple complex dedicated to the Goddess Aravindavalli, the incarnation of Goddess Mahalakshmi. The idol is seated in padmasana (a yogic seating pose) and is in chaturbuja form. She has lotus flowers in her upper hands, and the other two hands have varada (blessing) and abhaya (protection) mudras. Her face exudes joy and bliss, indicating whoever meditates on the lotus feet of the goddess will attain “Joy” and “happiness” in life.
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Ambegalu Krishna (Crawling baby Krishna)
Ambegalu Krishna is very popular among south Indians, and more so among Carnatic sangeet singers, as one of the immensely popular Purandara Dasa’s keerthana “ಜಗದೋಧಾರಣ ಆಡಿಸಿದಳು ಯಶೋದ” is referring to this god. Ambegalu Krishna is the baby form of Lord Krishna, who, in turn, is the incarnation of Lord Narayana.
Enchanting baby: The idol has a beautiful face reminiscent of the full moon with sparkling eyes that are incredibly attractive. His thick and curly hair adds to the breathtaking beauty of his face. He is holding butter in one hand and taking ground support with the other. He is wearing all kinds of ornaments – necklace, waist belt, bangles, anklets, which makes him look even more lovely. Out of parental affection, the poojaris of the temple fix “tiger nails” to his nails to avoid evil eyes on the Lord in the baby form.
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Saint Purandara Dasa visited Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple
Around 500 years ago, Saint Purandara Dasa visited the Aprameya temple and was mesmerized by the beauty of Ambegalu Krishna. He must have wondered why the Lord of the Universe and the giver of the Moksha (Liberation from the cycle of birth and death) resides in the baby form there. Purandara Dasa sang the above keerthana out of ecstasy of love towards Ambegalu Krishna.
Yashodha, the mother of Lord Krishna, did so much punya (good karma) in her past lives that the Lord allowed her to raise him from baby to adulthood. In her old age, when Yashodha desired to see her progeny in baby form one last time, the Lord fulfilled her wish by showing himself in baby form to her. Ambegalu Krishna is that form of the Lord.
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How to reach the Aprameya temple?
By Train:
From Bengaluru, one can take the train towards Mysuru and alight at Chennapatna station. From the Chennapatna railway station, one can take an auto towards Aprameya temple. From Mysuru, one can take the train towards Bengaluru and alight at Chennapatna station. From the Chennapatna railway station, one can take an auto towards Aprameya temple.
By Buses (KSRTC OR Private)
From Bangalore OR Mysuru, many busses ply between the cities, and one has to get down at ChennaPatna and take an autorickshaw towards the Aprameya temple.
Private vehicles
One travel by private vehicle on the Bengaluru ~ Mysuru expressway, take a deviation at Chennapatna and proceed towards Aprameya temple.
Timing
The temple is open between 6:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Again, the temple reopens between 5:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
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