Sri Santhana Venugopala Swamy Temple

📍 Hemmargala (Hemmaragala), Nanjangud, Karnataka

Regional Significance

Sri Santhana Venugopala Swamy Temple, known as "Dakshina Govardhana Kshetra," is a Krishna temple in Hemmaragala village near Nanjangud, Mysuru district, famed for blessing childless couples with progeny. The presiding deity, also called Hucchu Gopala or Bala Gopala, stands in the flute-playing Tribhangi pose.

🕒 Practical Information

Temple Timings: Opens 6:00 AM, closes 6:00 PM

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Entry Fee: Free entry for all devotees

Parking: ✓ Available

🕉️ Spiritual Details

Primary Deity:

Lord Krishna, worshipped as Sri Santhana Venugopala Swamy (also Bala Gopala / Hucchu Gopala)

Temple Type:

Progeny/Fertility shrine (Dakshina Govardhana Kshetra)

Deity Forms:

Santhana Venugopala, Bala Gopala, Hucchu Gopala

🕉️ Divine Snapshot

Primary Deity:

Lord Krishna, worshipped as Sri Santhana Venugopala Swamy (also Bala Gopala / Hucchu Gopala)

Temple Category:

Progeny/Fertility shrine (Dakshina Govardhana Kshetra)

Temple Timings:

Opens 6:00 AM, closes 6:00 PM

Location:

Hemmargala (Hemmaragala), Nanjangud, Karnataka (Explore temples in Mysore)

Full Address:

Hemmaragala, Karnataka 571312

Spiritual Highlights

Unique Powers:

The Koundinya Danda (sacred stick) is believed to cure difficulties including health and financial troubles as well as childlessness; "Danda Sparsha" (touching the stick) is offered on Saturdays and Sundays.

Miracle Beliefs:

The chariot-wheel-stuck-in-place legend revealing the idol's location; the transformation of a girl child into a boy overnight in the Hucchu Gopala legend.

Devotee Practices:

Devotees bring a silver cradle carrying a baby form of Krishna as an offering when seeking progeny; Danda Sparsha on weekends.

Spiritual Benefits:

Blessings for progeny (especially a male child, per tradition), relief from chronic health or financial troubles.

About Sri Santhana Venugopala Swamy Temple

Local tradition holds that King Gangarasa had a dream in which Lord Krishna revealed the location of a buried idol; the king's chariot wheel became stuck at the exact spot, where the idol of Santhana Venugopala Swamy — flanked by his consorts Satyabhama and Rukmini — was unearthed and installed. The idol was consecrated by the sage Koundinya Maharishi at his ashram, and the temple is said to stand on the land where Koundinya performed penance. Before departing his mortal body, Koundinya is said to have transferred his spiritual powers into a sacred stick (Danda), still kept at the temple and believed capable of curing ailments, including infertility. The Hoysala king Veeraballava later renovated the temple and donated lands in 1298 AD; the sanctum reflects Hoysala-style architecture while the outer structure follows the Vijayanagara style.

Architecture & Heritage

Architectural Style:

Hoysala (sanctum/Garbhagriha) with Vijayanagara-era outer structure (Renovated and endowed in 1298 AD by Hoysala king Veeraballava; earlier origins tied to sage Koundiny)

Architecture Highlights:

Strong pillared hall, Prabhavali (ornamental arch) for the Utsava Moorthy, Hoysala-style sanctum

Sacred Objects:

The Koundinya Danda (sacred stick); silver cradles offered by devotees