Maradi Gudda beckons
Known as Ranganathaswamy Kshethra, Maradi Gudda is located near Kamadahalli Ranaganathapura, 20 km from the historic town of Sira. The hillock has an ancient temple located at the summit. Said to be built in the 13th century by Huildore village head Halegowda, Maradi Gudda Ranganathaswamy temple stands on a three-feet-high jagali (pedestal). Built in the Dravidian style, the temple has a spacious mukhamantapa and navaranga, apart from the garbha gudi and sukhanasi (various halls of the temple).
Dedicated to Ranganatha and Goddess Lakshmi, the temple has attractive sculptures and wall paintings depicting stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Opposite the temple's main entrance is a 20-ft-high dhwaja sthambha (flagstaff).
An interesting feature of Maradi Gudda temple is the generations old tradition of worshipping a huge bow and arrow made of pancha loha (allied metals). The big bow can be seen inside the sukhanasi housing the idols of Ganesha and Anjaneya near the temple's sanctum sanctorum. Legend has it that the heavy bow could not be lifted from its original spot downhill, despite all efforts by devotees. It was a little boy who finally managed to lift it. The boy, the devout believed, was the hill deity Ranganatha. With a 40-ft-high eye-catching gopura (tower), this rocky hill temple has a beautiful kalyani (pond) which is the main source of water to perform rituals.
Also called Pancha Kalasha Gudda, Maradi Gudda is known for its rare types of medicinal plants. A the foothill is a village tank called Purushamana Kere.
There are frequent buses to Sira, 50 km from Tumkur (on NH 4 route). From Sira, Maradi Gudda temple is a 20-km journey via Huildore.
Known as Ranganathaswamy Kshethra, Maradi Gudda is located near Kamadahalli Ranaganathapura, 20 km from the historic town of Sira. The hillock has an ancient temple located at the summit. Said to be built in the 13th century by Huildore village head Halegowda, Maradi Gudda Ranganathaswamy temple stands on a three-feet-high jagali (pedestal). Built in the Dravidian style, the temple has a spacious mukhamantapa and navaranga, apart from the garbha gudi and sukhanasi (various halls of the temple).
Dedicated to Ranganatha and Goddess Lakshmi, the temple has attractive sculptures and wall paintings depicting stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Opposite the temple's main entrance is a 20-ft-high dhwaja sthambha (flagstaff).
An interesting feature of Maradi Gudda temple is the generations old tradition of worshipping a huge bow and arrow made of pancha loha (allied metals). The big bow can be seen inside the sukhanasi housing the idols of Ganesha and Anjaneya near the temple's sanctum sanctorum. Legend has it that the heavy bow could not be lifted from its original spot downhill, despite all efforts by devotees. It was a little boy who finally managed to lift it. The boy, the devout believed, was the hill deity Ranganatha. With a 40-ft-high eye-catching gopura (tower), this rocky hill temple has a beautiful kalyani (pond) which is the main source of water to perform rituals.
Also called Pancha Kalasha Gudda, Maradi Gudda is known for its rare types of medicinal plants. A the foothill is a village tank called Purushamana Kere.
There are frequent buses to Sira, 50 km from Tumkur (on NH 4 route). From Sira, Maradi Gudda temple is a 20-km journey via Huildore.