Ghati Subrahmanya Temple is a 600-year-old temple near Bengaluru, at Doddaballapura, in Karnataka state, India. This temple is a famous pilgrimage center. Couples without children visit this temple to pray to have children. Ghati Subrahmanya Temple resembles the Kukke Subrahmanya Temple near Mangalore.
History of the Subrahmanya Temple
Ghati Subrahmanya Temple was first constructed by the Ghorpade rulers of the Sandur princely state, which was part of the Madras State Agency.
According to the legend, King Ghorpade unearthed this rare, self-originated idol with the help of locals, following the instructions of Lord Subramanya.
Deities at the Temple
Lord Sri Subramanya, son of Lord Shiva, is the main deity at this temple. Lord Subramanya is known by names like Shanmukha, Saravanabhava, Skanda, Karthikeya, etc. He is also known as Guha, as he resides in caves. Caves are known as Guhas in many Indian languages. Lord Subramanya temples are known as Subramanyam Kshetras. Kshetra means temple.
Lord Subramany lived in the form of a Ghata Sarpa. God Subramanya executed the sacrament at Ghati as a serpent before slaying the demon Tharakasura. Hence, this temple is known as Ghati Subrahmanya Temple or Ghati Subrahmanya Kshetra. (Ghati means a plot, and Sarpa means serpent in the Sanskrit language.)
Lord Lakshmi Narasimha is the second deity in this temple. The history of the Ghati temple says this idol is not sculptured. It is believed to have originated on its own.
Sri Subrahmanya is facing east, and Lord Lakshmi Narasimha is facing west. A mirror at the back of the temple allows you to view both deities in a single frame.
Serpent Knoll
Devotees offer prayers at a serpent knoll (small hill) outside the temple. A multi-hooded snake idol made of silver is there in this temple. Also, Milk is offered to the Serpent Knoll. Offering milk is a common practice while praying to Lord Shiva, as he wears a snake on his neck. There is a huge Peepal tree near the temple, which has the shape of serpents on stone.
How Do I Go to Ghati Subrahmanya Temple?
Ghati Subrahmanya Temple is on the outskirts of Bengaluru, near Tubagere. It is at a distance of 60 kilometers from Bengaluru alias Bangalore. It is in the Bangalore Rural District.
Bus services are available from Doddaballapur to this temple. Makalidurga Railway Station (MKL) is the nearest railway station, and Bengaluru International Airport is the nearest airport to this Subrahmanya temple.