About Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple
Bhoo Verahaswamy temple in Varahanatha, Kallahalli Village, KR Pete Taluku, Mandya district, Karnataka state, India is around 2500 years old, which was installed by Sage Gautama (Gautama Maharshi). The temple is situated on the west side banks of the river Hemavathi.
The idol of Bhoo Varahaswamy, the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu (Vishnu in the form of a wild boar), is a monolith carved out of saligrama shila, a grey stone. The idol is believed to be around 2500 years old, installed by Gowthama Maharshi who had performed penance in this place. Hence this place is considered as a Punya Kshetra.
Story of Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple
According to the legend, there was a dense forest in this region. Once Hoysala king Veera Ballala III had lost his way in this forest while hunting, so he took shelter under a tree. When he was sleeping to take rest, he saw some wild hunting dogs chasing a drove of hares. The hares ran over a small hillock to escape from the hunting dogs. After some time he saw the drove of hares chasing back the hunting dogs, and the dogs running to escape from the hares. On seeing this strange sight, the King felt there was something magical about that place. He ordered his soldiers to dig the hillock. On digging, they found a part of an idol. Hence the king ordered to dig up the whole hillock. They found a huge idol of Varahaswamy, and later the king got it installed. Deva Devi was the queen of Veeraballala III. He constructed an 'Agrahara' in her name. This Agrahara was not a normal one, like where the brahmin priest lived with his family.
It was a school stretched across 40 kms in radius around the temple, where people of all castes lived. Here they were taught the skills whichever they loved to learn, like archery, etc. These type of Agrahara existed prior to year 1835. This temple was given to 'Parakala mutt' to be taken care of, during the period of Mummadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar. Along with the temple, surrounding five villages were also given. Since then the pooja ceremony and the temple was run under the guidance of Parakala mutt. The temple has stood to tell the tale after facing years of weathering due to sun, rain and floods.
About the Idol of Bhu Varahaswamy
The idol of Bhu Varahaswamy is a monolith made of grey stone, saligrama shila (believed to be found in Gandaki River). It is 18 feet tall, sitting with one leg folded, and the other leg touching the ground. Varaha means wild boar (the head of a boar with a human body). The teeth (canine teeth/tusks) of the boar deity is lighter in colour compared to the rest of the body, and the deity has red eyes. On the thigh of the folded left leg is goddess Bhoodevi (Lakshmi) seated, holding a lotus flower in her left arm and holding the waist of the lord in the other hand. The idol of Bhoodevi is 3.5 feet tall. The upper right hand of the lord is holding the Sudarshana Chakra and the upper left hand is holding a Conch. The lower right is in the Abhaya mudra and the lower left hand is embracing the goddess. The crown (Kirita) is very big.
Temple History & Rituals
The temple was in low profile for many years. Around 8-10 years ago, an industrialist from Dubai, Mr. Chandrashekar, came to India looking out for a huge idol of Varahaswamy which was disturbing him in his dream for a long time. He visited India in search of the idol which he had seen in his dream. He talked to people about it and many of them had taken him to different Varahaswamy temples. He had to return to Dubai many times disappointed. After persistent searching he got information about this idol. The idol was covered with white cloth to save it from dust, as the temple was in ruins. On constant request, the priest and the committee members of the Parakala mutt obliged to open and show the idol. On seeing this, he confirmed that this was the one which he had been seeing in his dream and came forward to renovate the temple. He donated ₹50 lakhs for starting the renovation of the temple, which was joined by others like one Mr. Balakrishna who joined him by donating ₹10 lakhs.
The temple structure is very simple. The rectangular building is built with granite stone blocks. At present it has two units, the sanctum and a small hall. There are two doorways, one in the front and one to the side. The temple is still under construction. In front of the temple is a stone slab with Devanagari inscription which tells us about the temple.
There are a few rituals and beliefs followed at Kallahalli Bhoo Varahaswamy temple. The speciality of this temple is that they perform brick and mud/sand pooja. It is believed that by doing brick pooja, one's dream of building a house will be fulfilled. After performing pooja to the bricks, the same bricks will be used during the construction of the building to ward off any hassles. Mud or sand from the temple is taken and given for pooja. It is believed doing so ensures completion of pending work. (Bricks and sand are sold at the temple premises.)
Special Pooja, Abhishekha & Timings
Special pooja is performed to the deity by anointing turmeric, sandalwood, and kumkum. Also during special occasions anointing is done using 500 litres of milk, 500 litres of sugar cane juice (no sugar is used), around 300 litres of tender coconut water. Honey is used minimally. Curd and ghee is used "symbolically" (as it may cause damage to the idol).
There is a separate hall where prasada/annadana is served every day from 9am to 8pm.
Entry Fees: ₹0
Timings: Monday to Sunday 9:30am to 1:30pm and 3:30pm to 7:30pm
Best time to Visit: All round the year
Special Seva at Bhoo Varahaswamy temple:
- Mruthika pooja – ₹100/-
- Bhoo suktha parayana – ₹500/-
- Goseva – ₹2000/-
- Revathi abhishekha seva (sankalpa seva) – ₹1000/-
- Ksheerabhisheka – ₹10,000/-
- Annadhana on abhishekha day – ₹30,000/-
- Annadana on Sunday for entire day – ₹10,000/-
Temple Contact & Location
Website: bhoovarahatemple.com
Email: bhovaraha@gmail.com
Phone: 9448011535 / 9449009711
Address: Sri Bhoovarahanatha Swamy Temple, Varahanatha kallahalli, Ganjigere post, Bookanakere Hobali, K R Pet Taluk, Mandya District, Karnataka – 571426
Accommodation: The temple has no accommodation facilities for devotees. There are good hotels available near KRS or you can reach Mysore.
Places near Bhoo Varahaswamy temple:
- Daria Daulat Bagh / Tipu Sultan Summer Palace
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
- Gumbaz
- Jumma Masjid / Masjid-e-Ala
- Karighatta
- Ranganathaswamy Temple
- Kshanambika devi temple
- Kunti Betta
Distance:
- From Bangalore – 181 kilometres
- From Mysore – 46 kilometres
- From Krishnaraja Sagara Dam (KRS) – 25 kilometres
How to Reach
KSRTC (Bus)
KSRTC and Private Buses are available from Bangalore to Mysore (fare: ₹160/-), from there reach KRS; from KRS or from Ballenahalli shared autos and buses are available to reach the temple.
Train
Express train available to Mysore from Bangalore (fare: ₹70/-). From railway station take an auto to city bus stop, then bus to KRS; from KRS or Ballenahalli shared autos/buses reach the temple. NOTE – please contact Indian Railways (IRCTC) for updated train timings & pricing.
Air
Nearest International Airport (Kempegowda Bangalore) is 162 Kms from Bhoo Varahaswamy temple. Nearest Domestic Airport (Mandakalli Mysore) is 60 Kms away.
Bike/Car
Bangalore to Mysore route – Majestic (Kempe Gowda bus station) – Nayandahalli – Bidadi – Kengeri – Ramanagara – Channapattana – Madduru – Mandya – Srirangapattana – Chinakuruli – Bhoo Varahaswamy temple.
Why This Temple Stands Out
Frequently Asked Questions
Nearby In Mandya
Continue Exploring
Planning A Trip Here?
Get help planning your visit — call or WhatsApp us and we will help you book a tour.