Bengaluru petes
Pic. Courtesy :wikipedia.org
Kempe Gowda, a feudatory of the Vijayanagara Empire, founded Bengaluru. He was a visionary and had built the new capital city with forethought. His plans for the city included providing water bodies in the form of large lakes that could provide water supply to the city. He had earmarked areas for trade and named them after the nature of business carried out there. For example: Aralepete stood for cotton trade, Akki Pete for rice, Balepete for bangles, Kumbarapete for potteries, etc. Areas for residences were demarked, depending on the communities and castes to which the people belonged, to make living easier for everyone. With these well-laid-out city plans, Kempegowda shifted the capital from Yelahanka to Bangalore in 1539 AD.
Killari Road and Kunchitigara pete
Killari Road in Balepete runs from Balepete Main Road in the west to Avenue Road in the east. The locality between BVK Iyengar Road and Balepete Main Road is Kunchitagara Pete. This place gets the name Kunchitigara Pete because Kunchitiga Vokkaligas were the original domiciled community of this location. Kunchitigas were predominantly agriculturists, and some were traders of agricultural products. But today, the whole area is known by the name Balepete.
Kunchitagara pete Sri Anjaneya Temple
A big temple for Sri Anjaneya Swamy, located on Killari Road - west of BVK Iyangar road crossing in Kunchitigara Pete. This Hanuman temple is known as “Kunchitigara Sri Anjaneya Swamy’. The temple is south-facing and has a three-tier raja gopuram right on the Killari road. As one enters the raja gopuram, the dwaja stamba covered with ornamental brass work is seen. Walking past the dwaja stamba, and the main mandap- hall- which is fairly big, one could see the sanctum santorum. Darshan of Sri Anjaneya Swamy can be had even while standing in the main hall.
The pillars of the hall have Panchamuka, Yoga, and Veera Anjaneya forms embossed on them. On the left side of the mandap, is the sannidhi for Sri Rama parivar, with the ‘uttsava murtis’ housed nearby. An eight-foot wide path, prakaram, around the ‘Garbhagraham’ for offering pradhakshanams to the main deity is present.
The Garbhagraham has a well-decorated door with extensive wood sculpting on it. The arch – forming the outer periphery of the main door of the Garbhagraham- is covered with silver plate work in which good artwork has been done. Embossed there on are different poses of Sri Anjaneya Swamy - each one telling a story of its own and is eye-catching. Thus the overall beauty of the entrance to the sanctum itself is very pleasing to one’s eyes.
This place gets the name Kunchitigara pete because Kunchitiga Vokkaligas were the original domiciled community of this location. Kunchitigas were predominantly agriculturists and some were traders of agricultural products. But today the whole area is known by the name Balepete.
Kunchatigara Anjaneya
The idol of Lord Sri Anjaneya Swamy of this temple is about six feet tall and made of hard granite stone, showing the Lord in a walking posture, and is of ‘ardha shila’ type. South facing Lord is seen as if He is walking Eastward with His left lotus foot in the front. His right lotus foot is firmly on the ground. With the big toe of His right leg, He keeps crushing ‘Akshaiya Kumara’ [son of Ravana – Ravana’s dynasty’s first victim of Sri Hanuman]. Both ankles are decorated with the ornament named 'thandai'. He wears his usual dress – dhothi in “kacham” holding firmly to his thighs. His waist is adorned with decorative belt-like ornament. His Left hand is holding the stem of the sowgandika flower together with a bunch of leaves. The flower is in a ‘yet to blossom’ state and is seen above His left shoulder. With His raised right hand showing ‘abaya mudra’ He showers blessings on His devotees. Bracelets in the wrists and keyur in the forearms adorn both His hands. He is seen wearing three garlands, of which one has a pendant. On His shoulders rests the ‘uttariyam’ – the upper garment. The tail of the Lord is raised above His head. It has a curved end which is adorned by a small beautiful bell. The Lord is wearing ear studs and His kesam is neatly tied. With His bright brilliant eyes, He oozes compassion.
Location of the temple: "Kunchitagara Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Bangalore"
Experience
Come to this kshetra and pray to the Lord to be blessed and wishes fulfilled.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [May 2014]
Updates: [Jan 2025]