Mulbagal
Mulbagal is a highway town in the Kolar District of Karnataka. It is about 35 kilometers from the main Kolar city. This ancient city lies on the main highway connecting Bangalore and Tirupati. At one point in time, this place occupied a destination of a learning center of Veda by many scholars. The Vedic centers had the patronage of the past kings especially that of Vijayanagara samrajya. The place is glorified as it was selected to be honored even before the Mahabharata days.
Name Mulbagal
Since this is the easternmost frontier of the traditional state of Mysuru, it got the name Mudalabagilu. Mudalabagilu means ‘eastern door’ in the Kannada language. Mudalabagilu became Mulabagilu now anglicized as Mulbagal.
Evolution to the present Mulbagal
The earlier names of this place were Bhaskara kshetra, Kadalisha-vanam, and Arjunapuram. This place had been sanctified during the Treta Yuga. Sage Vasishta, the kula guru of ikshvaku vamsa had installed Rama-Sita-Lakshmana deities here during Treta Yuga. During Dwapara Yuga, the deity of Sri Srinivasa had been installed here. After the Mahabharata war, Sri Arjuna had been ordained to install the deity of Sri Anjaneya as a dedication to Lord Sri Anjaneya who was present in the flag post of his chariot.
Temple complex
The three sannidhis of the temple, rama-lakshmana-sita sannidhi, Srinivasa sannidhi, and lord Anjaneya sannidhi are adjacent to each other. Lord Anjaneya sannidhi is the main deity of the temple. During the time many kings had built, and added structures to these sannidhis without affecting the sannidhya of the deities. RajaTodarmal was a Hindu chieftain who served under Sadat-ulla-Khan, the first Nawab of the Carnatic. Sri Todermal had contributed towards improving the structures of the temple.
Today the complex has many other sannidhis for other deities, and a water tank [kalyani]. The temple complex has evolved with several contributions from many kings. The temple complex is huge and beautiful.
Earlier there was a small entrance on the eastern side which has been closed for a long owing to the expansion of the nearby KSRTC bus stand. This eastern entrance has an arch just above the entrance, which could be seen from the bus stand. Replica of kshetra Anjaneya in cement mortar mold - stucco figure has been depicted in this arch. On the back of the same arch Sri Rama Pattabisheka in cement mortar mold has been shown. The latter could be seen only after entering the complex.
During the time many kings had built, and added structures to these sannidhis without affecting the sannidhya of the deities. RajaTodarmal was a Hindu chieftain who served under Sadat-ulla-Khan, the first Nawab of the Carnatic. Sri Todermal had contributed towards improving the structures of the temple.
Today one has to enter the temple complex through the western side only. On the western side, a three-tier rajagopuram welcomes the devotee. Before entering the complex through rajagopuram, on the left side, one could see the chariot which is used during the annual Radhossavam [car festival]. On entering through the Rajagopuram a long pathway welcomes the devotee. At the end of the pathway, bali petam and then dwaja stambam covered with highly polished brass could be seen. A stone deepa stambam is also seen. Before entering the main sannidhi devotees could make namaskaram here near dwajastambam.
At the end of the pathway, the main sannidhi of Sri Anjaneya is seen. The sannidhi is inside a huge mandapam which has eleven beautifully decorated arches on top of it. Each of the arches has a cement mortar mold – depicting the ‘ten avatars’ of Lord Vishnu and in one arch the kshetra Anjaneya is depicted. To have the darshan of Sri Anjaneya enter the twenty-pillared mandapam, the main gharbhagraham is seen in the center. Sri Anjaneya welcomes His devotees with His kataksha. Have the darshan of Sri Anjaneya established by Sri Arjuna and take His blessing.
On coming out of the main mandapamam on to the left is the sannidhi of Lord Lakshmi Venkatramana (Srinivasa) and Sri Rama parivar. Have the darshan of these Lords and take their blessings.
Near the pavilion where the main sannidhi of Sri Anjaneya is located, the sannidhi of Sri Varadharaja Swamy is there. Have darshan of Sri Varadaraja Swamy. Make ‘pradhakshanam’ of all the sannidhi on the pathway running adjacent to the compound wall. We can see small Sri Anjaneya vigrahas under the tree when doing pradhakshanam. We can see the two temple tanks also.
Sri Anjaneya
Murtham of Sri Anjaneya of this kshetra is made of hard granite and is about twelve feet tall.
Lord is facing west and is seen walking southwards. Lord is wearing anklets called nupuram and thandai on His both lotus feet. The left foot is seen forward towards the south. Lord is wearing an ornament on His left knee. The kacham He is wearing is wrapped tightly on His strong thighs. The kacham is held in His waist by an ornament. Both His arms are strong and are seen wearing kangan on the wrist and a keyuram on the upper arm. His left hand is holding a sowgandika flower and his right hand is held high above His head and showing an abhaya mudra. His langoolam [tail] is raised above and takes a bend at the end. His face is calm and pacific spreading peace all over. The glowing eyes are emanating karuna and santhi.
Festivals observed
Srirama navami, brigostsav, shravana navaratri, ratha saptami, Hanumath Jayanthi, and Vishnu depotsava are the festivals observed in the temple.
Location of the temple: "Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple, Mulbagal Town, Karnataka"
Experience
Wisdom and peace are sure to envelop the devotee after the darshan of Sri Anjaneya of this kshetra. He, who had heard Srimad Bhagavad Gita from Lord Krishna, is sure to bestow wisdom on His devotees.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [June 2020 :: revised: 12.03.23]
Updates: [Jan 2025]