Shri Bhagandeshwara Temple Bhagamandala,Karnataka

History of Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple

Skanda Purana, a holy text belonging to Hindu religion, mentions the temple and the legend behind it. As per the legend, Bhaganda Kshetra which was the ancient name of Bhagamandala, a great saint Sri Bhaganda Maharshi used to reside in his ashram located at this place. The name Bhagamandala has also been derived from the sage’s name.

Sri Bhaganda Maharshi, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and Lord Subramanya performed rigorous penance to please the Gods and receive their blessings. Lord Subramanya, pleased with his unrelenting devotion, blessed Bhaganda Maharshi and the place and named it as Skanda Kshetra. It is believed that he then promised his presence in the form of a stone image.

Lord Shiva too, pleased with the penance, blessed Bhaganda Maharshi. He also promised the saint that he will be present and bless all the devotees. Sri Bhaganda Maharshi, with the divine blessings, installed a Shiva linga, and invoked Lord Shiva.

The Shiva linga later came to be known as Sri Bhagandeshwara, owing to the name of the saint Sri Bhaganda Maharshi. It is believed that the divinity still manifests in the Linga at Sri Bhagandeshwara temple. Hence, devotees visit this temple to seek blessings of the Lord.

This breathtakingly beautiful hill station in the western ghats of Karnataka state, boasts of being a popular destination among devotees as well. Sri Bhagandeshwara temple is one such shrine which attracts hordes of devotees to Coorg.

Also known as Bhagandeshwara Kshetra, Sri Bhagandeshwara temple is situated at an elevation of 898 meters, at the Bhagamandala village in Coorg, which is also famous for the Triveni Sangama, a popular sightseeing place in a Coorg tour.

This temple is primarily dedicated to Lord Bhagandeshwara, a form of Lord Shiva. However, idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Narayana and Lord Subramanya have also been kept and worshipped in this temple.

Although there is no information on the exact date and time on the construction of the Sri Bhagandeshwara temple and other temples around this area, it is considered to be more than 1000 years old. It is said that this temple was built during the Cholas dynasty. It presents a Karavali (west coast) architectural style, with a gabled roof.

As per the few historical records which are available, this temple has undergone renovation in 1790 AD, during the reign of Maharaja Veera Rajendra Wodeyar who was the then King of Kodagu.

This temple is located quite close to the Triveni Sangama which is the meeting point of three holy rivers namely River Cauvery, River Kanika and River Sujyoti.