About Ghati Subramanya temple, Doddaballapur

There are many temples in and around Bangalore, some more recent and some which have been around for centuries. One of the older temples in the region around the city can be found near Tubagere, Doddaballapura – the Ghati Subramanya Temple. One cannot miss its architecture even from a distance. The temple is the main landmark in the area, attracting devotees from across the state and the region. It also hosts a cattle fair apart from many festivals and rituals.

History of Ghati Subramanya Temple

The temple is believed to be more than 600 years old, according to the written records, while its origin might go back many more years. The construction of the Ghati Subramanya temple is attributed to Ghorpade, who belonged to the Sandur dynasty. It is believed that the deity appeared in the dreams of the king, revealing the whereabouts of the idols. The king, with the help of the locals, discovered the self-manifested idol of the deity and then commissioned a temple to be built around them.

The Architecture

The high pyramid shaped gateway tower of the temple is one of the most distinctive features, a perfect example of Dravidian architecture. It is adorned with sculptures of various deities and events of Hindu mythology. It is believed that the idols have always been present here, and according to the legend, the idols of Karthikeya and Narasimha emerged from the ground and the temple was built around it. There is an anthill which is opposite the temple and devotees pour milk on it as part of one of the rituals.

One of the distinguishing aspects of this temple is that one can find two deities here – Lord Subramanya and Lord Narasimha. The idols are found in the sanctum of the temple. The idol of Lord Subramanya, in his serpentine form, faces the east while the idol of Lord Narasimha sits at the back of the former and faces the west. Devotees can view the idol of Lord Narasimha through a strategically placed mirror, allowing both deities to be worshipped at the same time. The idol of Lord Subramanya or Karthikeya is made from a single stone.

The Legend of the Temple Deity

It is believed that on this spot, the deity Lord Subramanya was performing penance in the form of a snake. Lord Subramanya prayed to Lord Narasimha to provide the Naga’s family from Lord Vishnu’s vehicle, the Garuda, known for his dislike towards serpents.  Lord Subramanya’s form is that of a seven-hooded snake and it is believed that this is the region where he vanquished Ghatikasura, the demon.