History

II Sri Chandralamba Prasanna II

The Goddess Sri Lakshmi Chandrala Paramesvari, popularly known as Sri Chandralamba, symbolizes the Union of three cosmic forces or gunas namely, Satvika, Rajasa and Tamasa or the three functions of the supreme being namely Creation, Sustenance and Destruction (Srishti, Sthiti, Laya) personified into Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara and their female aspects into Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Durga. The Skanda Purana gives a graphic description of the Goddess Chandralamba in its Chandralamba Mahatmya. A brief account of Devi Worship is given below.

In the Saguna form of worship which is prescribed by ancient texts for common people, the God is worshipped as Vishnu or Siva with several attributes. The female principle of the God namely, Sakti or Devi conceived to be the personification of universal energy in abstract is worshipped under different names. She resides in microcosm as well as macrocosm. According to Markandeya Purana, the unmanifest (Gupta rupi) Devi takes the form of Lakshmi, Sarasvati representing the Rajasa, Satvika and Tamasa attributes or Guna of Prakriti (Matter), while the Supreme being Vishnu (Shiva) is the Purusha.

The idol of Goddess Chandrala known as Sri Lakshmi Chandala Parameswari at Sannati (in Gulbarga District) is essentially Lakshmi holding Sankha and Chakra.

The uniqueness of the temple at Bangalore is that its Garbagriha and Antarala are built in early Chalukyan style (of 7th Century AD). The beautiful temple of Sri Lakshmi Chandralamba at Bangalore was planned and executed by the well known and internationally acclaimed Archaeologist, Dr. S.R. Rao after his retirement from the Archaeological Survey of India and his wife Smt. Kamalabai who had vision of the Devi. Dr. S.R. Rao is the President of the Chandralamba Seva Samithi and who has to his credit:

  • Discovery and excavation of Lothal, a Harappan Port Town

  • Repair of nearly 100 temple and places of worship including the famous Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami

  • Discovery of the submerged city of Dwarka

  • Decipherment of the Indus script.

The beautiful image of Goddess Chandralamba was sculpted by the famous sculptor Sri Parameswaracharya, Chairman of Karnataka Silpakala Academy, Bangalore. The stone idol produced according to Silpasastra was installed by the renowned Saint Sri Sri Viswesa Tirtha Swamiji, Pontiff of Sri Pejawar Mutt, on 30th June 1999.

In 2008, it has been possible to add a beautiful trikala (3 storeyed) Shikhara of unique Rekhanagara (curbilinear) type in white granite strictly following the plan and proportion of Vastu Sastra. The wooden carving of dvarapalakas, (Jaya & Vijaya) are on the Teakwood door. Ganga and Yamuna (sacred river Goddesses symbolizing physical and spiritual sanctity) are on either side of the Garba Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) and a relief panel of Goddess Lakshmi emerging from Samudramanthana (churning of the ocean of milk) undertaken by Gods and Asuras are other attractions.

In an other panel in the Mukhya Mandapa, the Sapta Matrikas, meaning seven mothers of mankind or the mother of seven worlds viz., Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda are also depicted. The two walls of the Mandapa, the story of Lakshmi Chandrala is carved out in pink sandstone.

In inauguration of Mahamandapa and Kumbha Abhisheka of the Gopuram of the temple was performed by His Holiness Sri Sri 1008 Sri Satyatma Tirtha Swamiji, the Pontiff of Sri Uttaradi Mutt on 23rd March 2008.

Recently, on 22-4-2011, the Pontiff of Sripadaraja Mutt of Mulabagal performed Arti to the Devi and the devotees had occasion to do the Padapooja of the Swamiji.

Besides daily worship and special puja and alankara on Fridays, the following festivals are celebrated: Dasara (ten days), Varamahalakshmi Puja, Kuladharma (magha Su Pournima), Chaitra Su Panchami (Rathotsava) or Pallakki Utsava, Annual installation festival (jyeshta bahula Dwitiya).

Just as in Ancient India, the temples were centres of learning and cultural activities; Sri Lakshmi Chandralamba Temple has attracted during the Navarati function well known singers of Karnataka to perform during these functions, viz.,

  • Sangeetha Vidhyanidhi Dri. Vidhyabhooshana, Bangalore

  • Vidwan Sri Ananth Kulkarni, Bagalkote

  • Vidwan Sri. Raichu Seshagiri Dasaru

Sri Chandralamba Seva Samithi is a registered Charitable Trust and a non-profit organization.