Sri Gaddige Kendaganneshwara Swamy Temple Hunsur

Sri Gaddige Kendaganneshwara Swamy Temple – Hunsur

Sri Kendaganneshwar Swamy temple is located in Gaddige village in Hunsur Taluk -Karnataka.Situated next to a small rivulet, Lakshmana Thirtha, and tucked away from the buzz of the city It is a little known temple, famous for its serenity and power. Gaddige is nijaikya jaaga of Pavada purusha aaradhya daiva Sri guru Kendaganneshwara Swami. The temple complex also has Sri Mahadeshwara and Sri Veerabhadreshwara Swamy as presiding deities.

Sri Gaddige Kendaganneshwara temple was established by Sri Guru Kendaganneshwara Swamy in 17th Century.

Sri Kendaganneshwar Swamy is believed to have been a social reformer who was born in Shiggaon taluk in Haveri district. This story dates back to about 200 years ago according to relevant sources. Sri Kendaganneshwar Swamy was born into a royal family of Shiggaon, as the eldest son of Srishaila Rajendra and Kashamma. His characteristic fiery red eyes were what led to him being named as Kendaganneshwar.

Shiggaon was attacked by the Nawab of Savanur when Kendaganneshwar Swamy was only 10 years old. His kingdom, as well as his entire family was destroyed but he alone survived. This experience changed him and prompted him to mull over the meaning of life at a young age as his.

These incidents in his life moulded his way of thinking, and after seeking blessings from his guru he started his journey towards South Karnataka. He left his town and became a wandering holy man, a seeker of truth. He became very adept at meditation.

He came to this village of Gaddige and took Sannyasa and built a temple to Lord Shiva. He is said to have lived for 80 years. Legend has it that he would meditate sitting on an Agni Kunda without any harm.

Bestowed with ‘power’ his vision of faith awakened the heart of millions of followers to the new conception of God. They felt spiritual fulfillment. His teachings assumed the magnitude of a powerful movement. His preachings and dedicated social reformation was noticed by the Mysore king Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar. And he was honoured by being gifted 3.5 hours of the ‘Raja Mudrana’.

Raja Mudrana’ is a court seal with the king’s signature. In those days it was used by the king to approve a new programme or order. The king had given this seal to Kendaganneshwar as an honour for three and a half hours. In this time, using the powers, Kendaganneswar was able to use it to donate lands to poor people. He also donated land and wealth to organisations and societies that worked for poor people’s welfare.

Later, he became famous as Paramayogi Jagadguru.

The temple dedicated to him at Gaddige is now a major tourist attraction and is considered a spiritual zone too. As we enter the temple, on the right side, we notice a magnificent idol of Lord Ganesha. The golden glittering idol of Lord Shiva, secured with glass shield is a major attraction of the temple.