Panchalingeshwara Temple- Begur Bangalore

I was searching the web during one of the weekends to know about historical temples in Bangalore area. To my surprise I found that Bangalore has one 8th century temple of great importance !! I found that the temple is in Begur and asked Dr.Ravi, my friend where Begur is. He told that there are 3-4 Begurs in Bangalore area and he wanted to know which Begur I want to go !! This again led to further research and we could find that this Begur is near Bannergatta road.

Three of us(Dr.Ravi, Adi and myself) decided to go on one fine morning. We reached Bannergatta road and Adi helped us in further navigation through mud roads.  Bannergatta road is one of the busiest roads in Bangalore and is well developed. A few kms into the interiors, you will feel that you have come to some remote village !! There is another good approach road off Hosur road which is better.Both ways, the distance from Bangalore central area to Begur is about 30 kms.

We reached temple in 30 mins from Bannergatta road. Nearest landmark is govt school.We found that temple is under renovation. Main Rajagopuram is getting reconstructed being funded by builder from that area.Quality of work undertaken is impressive. The other Rajagopuram is also getting reconstructed with funds from one local leader.

New Rajagopuram under construction

This insignificant village was once a great center of Sanskrit and Vedic studies.There is this 1300-year-old Sri Pancha Lingaeshwara Temple. Sri Kulutunga Raja the First of Chola Dynasty, and Sri Rajasimhanandi of Talakad Ganga Dynasty built this Temple in 8th century A D.

Main Deity is Sri Parvati Sametha Nagaeshwara Swamy. This Shrine has a Nava Ranga, and is an area where devotees can pray looking towards the Garbha Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Sri Parvati Sametha Nagaeshwara Swamy Linga. There are Idols of Sri Ganesha, Sri Chamundaeshwari, Sri Kaala Bhairava, Sri Vishnu, Sri Soorya Narayana, Sri Chandra, Sri Sapta Matruka and Sri Kashi Vishwanatha in the Nava Ranga.

Another interesting aspect here is that the idol of Sri Soorya Narayana (Sun God) is placed facing west towards this Linga. this probably is the only Temple in India where Sri Soorya Narayana is placed like this. This temple is also known as Bhaskara Kshetra (Sun Temple). 

There is a colourfully drawn Yantra (Divine Symbol) below carvings of Uma Maheshwara and Ashta Dik Palakas (8 Guarding Angels) on the ceiling. Standing on the yantra facing the Sri Parvati Sametha Nagaeshwara Linga and praying is said to ward off mental depression, enemies, disease and protection from black magic etc.