Rangasthala

Veiled in the mountain range of Nandi Hills is the temple of Sri Moksha Ranganatha in Rangasthala. It is believed that if devotees visit this temple in Rangasthala, after visiting AdiRanga in Srirangapatna, Madhya Ranga in Shimsha and Anta Ranga in Srirangam, they achieve liberation or moksha. Hence the Lord is known as Moksha Ranganatha.

Towards the end of Treta Yuga, Lord Rama killed Ravana and returned to Ayodhya. The whole of Ayodhya regained its life after having Lord Rama returned after fourteen years of exile. Soon Pattabhisheka ceremony was performed and Lord Rama was crowned as the King of Ayodhya during the ceremony. Vibhishana also attended this pattabhisheka ceremony of the Lord. While returning to Lanka, Lord Rama gifted Vibhishana His house Deity of Lord Ranganatha in a bamboo basket to worship in Lanka, as a token of love and gratitude.

According to the local legend, the seven sages were living in a nearby cave in Skanda-Giri Hill. In remembrance of the pastime of Lord Rama gifting the Deity to Vibhishana, the seven sages installed the Deity of Lord Ranganatha in Rangasthala and began the worship. The Deities of Sri Ranganatha in Srirangapatna, Srirangam and Rangasthala were installed at the same muhurta (an auspicious time). Later the Hoysala Kings constructed a beautiful temple here.

The Deity of Lord Ranganatha is an eka-shilashaligramamurti. It means that this Deity is carved in a single piece of shaligrama stone. Sleeping on the AnantaSesha, the Lord has very beautiful body features and His smile is very enchanting. This Deity is one of the most beautiful Deities of Ranganatha. Since the Lord is so beautiful He is also known as Jaganmohana – one who enchants the Universe. On the lotus feet of the Lord are Neeladevi and Bhudevi. His lotus feet are en-marked with auspicious signs. Lord is surrounded by Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, Ashta-dikPalakas (eight devatas who are in charge of eight directions), His transcendental weapons, Kalpa-vriksha (the wish-fulfilling tree), Kamadhenu (the heavenly cow) and Garuda (the carrier of the Lord). All these personalities are ready for His service. This is exactly how the Lord is in Vaikuntha.

The temple architecture is wonderful workmanship of the Hoysala style. The temple has a huge Rajagopura, followed by a mantapa with beautiful pillars and the prakara surrounding it. The garbha- griha is like a bamboo basket and it appears that Lord Ranganatha is in the middle of the basket. The garbha-griha has a pradakshinamarg also. In the vicinity of the temple is the temple of Srimati Lakshmi-Devi. ShankhaTirtha and Chakra Tirtha are also there in the temple. This temple is surrounded by lush green gardens and groves of trees.

There are many festivals which are celebrated in this temple with great grandeur. Few of the festivals are:

MakaraSankranti: on this day thousands of devotees throng to this temple to witness an unforgettable event. The sun-rays fall on the lotus feet of the Lord through a window; which takes place only once in a year. Anyone who takes darshan of the Lord’s lotus feet on this day is blessed with the fulfilment of his desires.

Brahmotsava: this festival is celebrated from MargashiraEkadashi to BahulaDvitiya. Brahma Ratha is held on the Purnima day.

Pavitrotsava: it is celebrated from AshvijaEkadashi to Purnima

Apart from these grand festivals, other festivals are VaikunthaEkadashi, MukkotiDvadashi, RathaSaptami, special days of Shravana and Karthik month. Panchamritaabhisheka is performed every Saturday to Sri Ranganatha and any day devotees want to perform. Every Friday panchamritaabhisheka is performed to Lakshmi Devi.

One has to travel 6 km on the road towards Gauribidanoor from Chikkaballapur to reach this temple.