Kondajji Allalanatha (Varadaraja Swamy Temple)

Allalanatha Temple is a sacred Hindu temple located at Kondajji village in the Hassan district of Karnataka. It is one of the popular temples in the region.The 14th-century temple also known as Kondajji Varadaraja Swamy, the Allalanatha Temple is dedicated to Lord Channakesava.

The legend of this temple is linked to Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana, Shantala and Ballala.The Varadaraja Swamy idol is the center of attraction witnessing Hoysala architecture. It is made of black stone bearing Shanka, Chakra, Gadha and Abhaya Mudhra where the facial expression of the idol captures the vision of every visitor. It is one of 24 avatars of Lord Vishnu. A very unique thing here is on the right side of the chest of Lord Varadaraja one can find a small impression of lord Lakshmi Devi where Lakshmi acquires the name as Shrenika.

Legend
According to legend, this extraordinarily beautiful idol of Lord Varadaraja Swamy a form of Vishnu’s Janardhana aspect
was on its way to Belur, for it to be enshrined at the Channakeshava temple complex. But the idol was more than the height that was ordered for Belur and it could not make it all the way into the temple at the right time and was running the risk of being deserted. An old lady (Ajji, which means grandmother in Kannada) decided to buy (which means Konda in Kannada) the statue and establish it in a temple at that place, and hence, it is believed that the village got the name ‘Kondajji’.

Devotees can climb the loft to perform Abhisheka to the lord from the top.
A different thing that is seen here is the unrestricted access and this is a speciality of only this place. The back and the backside of this Varadaraja Swamy are highly attractive in all aspects including sculptural ornamentations.