Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Devastana, Arsikere

After spending 45 minutes at Sri Chandramouleshwara Devastana, we got directions for Chikka Tirupati which is just a couple of kilometers outside the town. We drove around the enclosure and reached the front where a towering Gopura stood majestically. Until now I was under the assumption that the temple was atop the hill. That's the moment I learned about Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Devastana.

Being a Tuesday, the place was uncrowded, all streets around the temple were empty and tidy. It feels good to visit a temple like this. People seen were mostly residents here and a few students. At the moment, it looked like we were the only visitors. It's needless to say that this place would be teeming with people on Saturdays, Sundays, special days like Ekadasi and festivals.

Seen here are the following: an ancient mantapa, Tulabaara pillars and five tier Gopura. Also, in the vicinity and out of sight are two more Mantapas, both ancient structures. Then there's a Kalyani close by.

We enter the temple, we were the only two visitors at the moment. The Archaka performed Arati and we got a long darshan of the lord. We exited the temple and started the Pradakshina. As you see the temple has ample open space around it. In fact a pillared shelter runs along the perimeter wall like all big temples in southern India. Close to the entrance here, there was a Kalyana Mantapa where a family was participating in a ritual performed by two or three Archakas.

Another view of the Gopura.

This is definitely an ancient shrine, however the structure has undergone renovation recently. There's not much information of this temple online but the temple atop the hill was constructed by a local chieftain Palegar Thimmapanayaka during Hoysala times. In the background is Malekallu Gudda atop which is Venkateshwara shrine. Apparently the temple below was built later so that Rathothsava and other festivals could be carried out conveniently.

Idols of Anjaneya and Garuda in the pillared shelter.

A slightly better view of Malekallu Gudda. Here we see two peaks. On the right hand side peak is Venkateshwara Devastana. From the base, one needs to climb 1300 steps to reach the hilltop temple which is open only on Saturdays between 6 AM and 12 noon. So remember this if you are planning a visit.

A closer view of the peak and temple complex.

On the northern side of the enclosure is this gateway called Vaikunta Dwara. On certain festivals, or even any normal day, people consider passing through the Vaikunta Dwara Mantapa a sacred thing.

The northeastern view of the Gopura.

The pillars of the porch are ancient, probably installed during Hoysala times. Around this time we saw a married couple enter the temple, they seem to the only visitors other than Sridar & I. We sat besides the Gopura for a few minutes soaking in the silence of the place.

These are the two Mantapas. The closer one, going by its turned pillars, is definitely Hoysala architecture. Mantapa in the background seems like relatively recent, probably built during Vijayanagara times.

A stone's throw from the Mantapas is this water tank meant for bathing.. a holy dip.

This tank is quite interesting with a Mantapa at its center. The fish head popping out is a nice touch.

The place was well kept. Whoever's in charge is doing a good job. I wish people cooperate with temple management in upkeeping cleanliness.

Time to move on since we had to visit three more places- Javagal, Belawadi and Arakere. All these places were known for beautiful Hoysala temples. Also, we wanted to complete the temple tour and return home at Bhogasandra before sunset.

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