Vyasa Tirtha Puri: October 2011

Friday

Hasanamba Temple in Hassan ,Karnataka

Hasanamba Temple Dharshan Starts from today 16-10-2014

Hasanamba Temple
Though there are hundreds of temples that are historically and religiously significant to many people in the Hassan district of Karnataka, the Hasanamba temple dedicated to Shakti is particularly significant and unique in many ways.
Hasanamba Temple - Overview
The name Hasanamba has been given to the Goddess at the Hasanamba Temple and the town too is named after the presiding deity as she is perceived to be ever smiling, bestowing all riches on her devotees. The temple is open to the public for a week, once a year in the month of Ashwayuja, during Diwali in October. So devotees flock here to seek the Goddess’ blessings during this week. This is the best time to visit the temple.
Hasanamba Temple – History
The temple is believed to have sprung up sometime around the 12th century, though no one knows exactly when or how it came to be. There is an ant-hill representing the presiding deity inside the temple premises and because the temple is opened for only a week a year, it is all the more special to obtain a darshan during the festival.
Hasanamba Temple – Architecture
Archeological experts consider the Hasanamba Temple in Hassan to be the epitome of temple architecture in Karnataka. The city of Hassan dates back to the 11th century and the temples around Hassan signify the various dynasties that have ruled ever since the 11th century. It was originally built by the Hoysala dynasty in their tradition, reflecting their faith in Jainism. The temples in the Hassan district are some of the finest examples of the Hoysala tradition of temple architecture.
Hasanamba Temple – Religious Significance
The temple is unusual in that it is open to the devotees only for a week every year. The rest of the time the Goddess is left with a lit lamp, flowers, water and two bags of rice as offering until the next year. Every year the opening of the temple is celebrated with festivals and fairs.
Hasanamba temple – Mythology
The devotees believe that the benevolent Goddess smiles down upon them and showers her blessings. In many Indian languages, ‘hasya’ means humor. It is believed that the Goddess smiles down on the devotees who worship her.
How to Get to Hasanamba Temple
The Hasanamba temple is located about 38 kilometers from the city of Hassan and can easily be reached by road from Hassan in an auto rickshaw. It is just a couple of hours away from Bangalore by road and is convenient as a weekend getaway with plenty of accommodation options available.
Hasanamba Temple - Facts
There is an unusual image depicting Ravana from the Ramayana with nine heads instead of ten, playing the veena. The reason for this image in the inner sanctum sanctorum is unknown but very interesting nevertheless.
Source: karnataka