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Ghati Subramanya Temple

by Vidya Sury September 14, 2014 10 comments
Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

Ghati Subramanya is an ancient Hindu temple on the outskirts of Bangalore near Tubagere, Doddaballapura. It is 60 km from the city and is a popular pilgrimage centre besides being a rather perfect getaway for the weekend.

Almost ten years ago, we visited this temple en route from the Nandi Hills, where we went for a picnic. This time, we made a trip to Lepakshi, and on the way back, passed the Ghati Subramanya temple and decided to visit it again.

I love temples and almost didn’t recognize this one, this time around!

What a change! The temple has been renovated. And there is a huge garden at the back. And what a garden!

Here is the entrance to the temple.

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

People flock here in thousands and the presiding deity, Sri Subramanya, son of Shiva and Parvati, is particularly popular with the Tamil population of Karnataka. It is also an important center in South India for snake worship. Subramanya or Kartikeya is fondly referred to as the “Tamil God”.

At the entrance is this beautiful shrine.

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

What is unique about this temple is –  the main deity “lord Kartikeya“, shares the sanctum with “lord Narasimha“. Mythology has it that both idols emerged from the earth – not created or sculpted by anyone.

The idol of lord Karthikeya with a seven headed cobra is made from a single stone. While the sculpture of the Lord Subramanya is positioned towards the East, Lord Lakshmi Narasimha stands at the back of the same idol, facing the West. The devotees can see Lord Lakshmi Narasimha via a strategically placed mirror. The temple is particularly special for those who seek the Lord’s blessings so they may bear children.

Behind the temple, in its garden is this huge idol surrounded by the snake plaques of devotees.

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

An interesting ritual here is of installing idols of snakes. One can see thousands of these near the temple. And when I say thousands, I mean literally!

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

These are behind the temple in a sort of garden. The snakes are carved onto stones and installed under a massive peepal tree and this is where people pray for favors.  They tie little cloth cradles to the branches of the tree, symbolic of babies.

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

The temple serves free lunch to everyone every day, pretty much like most temples in the South India.

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

We were stunned to see how the temple had changed – as in developed.

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

Snake plaques for as far as the eye could see.

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

I somehow found it quite enchanting

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

Ghati Subramanya Temple Vidya Sury

You don’t have to be religious to visit this temple. It is worth seeing just for its beautiful architecture and historical significance, and of course, the peaceful surrounding landscape and other places to visit nearby, like the Nandi Hills.

Linking up with UnknownMami, the lovely Claudya for Sundays In My City so I can travel the world.

Unknown Mami
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10 comments

bettyl - NZ September 15, 2014 at 11:59 am

Your part of the world is always amazing to see. So colorful and interesting!
bettyl – NZ recently posted…what’s in a name?

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Vidya Sury September 15, 2014 at 5:55 pm

🙂 Thank you Betty!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Inspiring Quotes On Life

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Laurel Regan September 16, 2014 at 3:31 am

Amazing photos, even if I am rather creeped out by snakes!
Laurel Regan recently posted…#MicroblogMondays 3 – THREE! + 100 Happy Days – Day 3

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Vidya Sury September 16, 2014 at 12:06 pm

Me too, actually, Laurel! I am okay with statues though! 🙂 Thank you for coming by!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Lessons Learned #MicroblogMondays

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gotiruapti December 23, 2016 at 10:02 am

thanks

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Tirupati Darshan Booking January 30, 2018 at 9:51 pm

Thanks for sharing very useful information

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Dheivegam August 13, 2018 at 6:08 pm

The Information and photos are really superb.

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Dheivegam August 13, 2018 at 6:10 pm

Really nice info and photography is superb.

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Naveen Kumar January 9, 2020 at 5:08 pm

Om Muruga! Thanks for sharing this temple pictures to all of us! May Lord Muruga bless all of us with abundant wealth and peace.

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Gnanasekar P June 14, 2021 at 6:12 pm

Thanks for sharing very useful information and temple photos, keep in posting the postivity

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