History of Veeranjaneya Swamy temple Mulbagal
This temple was constructed during the period of Vijayanagara rulers. The initial temple is believed to be around 5000 years old. The idol of Lord Veeranjaneya carved out of black granite stone is nearly 12 feet tall. According to legend the idol of Anjaneya was installed by one of the Pandava brothers after the war of the Mahabharata. There are many small shrines of ‘Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita’ which is believed to be installed by Sage Vashista. There is an idol of ‘Venkateshwara’ believed to have been installed by ‘Brigu Maharshi’ and also a small shrine dedicated to ‘Padmavathi’. There is a lizard carved on the wall covered by a brass shield . There are shrines of Lord Ranganatha, Lord Lakshmi Narasimha and Lord Chennakeshava in the temple complex.
Mythological importance of Veeranjaneya Swamy temple Mulbagal
According to mythology in Dwapara yuga the period of Mahabharatha, it is believed when Bheemasena (Bheema) ,the Pandava was on his way to bring ‘Sougandhika pushpa’ to Draupadi encounters Lord Anjaneya. Bheema recognising this divine encounter, the strength and valor of Lord Anjaneya bows at him and requests him to succour during the war of Mahabharata. As requested Lord Anjaneya resides in the flag of Anjuna’s Chariot and helps them in the war. After the war gets over Anjuna first gets down from the chariot, then Sri Krishna gets down and tells Anjuna to remove the flag from the chariot. As soon as the flag gets removed ,the chariot catches fire and burns down to ashes. Then Sri Krishna tells Arjuna about Lord Anjanaya’s help. The Pandavas thank Lord Anjaneya with staunch devotion. After this, Arjuna with gratitude to Lord Anjaneya gets an idol carved out by Devashilpi ‘Maya’, and as per the order of Lord Krishna, instals this idol in ‘Kadalivana’ and decorates it with “Kedage pushpa”. The then ‘Kadalivana’ is now called as ‘Mulubagal’. (‘Kedage’ also called ‘Taale hoovu’ in Kannada, also called ‘Kewda’)