Cycling to Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli near Hassan

Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli

Distance to starting location from Bangalore: ~175 km
Starting location: Hassan KSRTC Bus Stand
Cycling distance: ~45 kms
Destination: Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli
Road Condition: Road condition is very good. Traffic for about 5 kms from Hassan bus stand and after that riding on Belur road is really good. Take deviation after 10 kms to enjoy village roads (See map below)

Before Start of Bicycle Ride (Cycle in KSRTC bus)

Sri Lakhsmi Devi Temple,
Doddagaddavalli

Would take about 3 hours to reach planned starting location, so decided to try go by KSRTC bus. Many buses are electric and was told that electric buses doesn't have space to carry cycle and suggested to try Raja Hamsa Bus.

Made one way reservation to Hassan via Raja Hamsa from ksrtc.in portal. KSRTC will send driver details an hour before beginning of the journey. Called the driver to inform that 1. Have cycle to carry in the bus and 2. I would get in the bus not in Majestic but from Govardhan Theatre, Yeshwantpur. Driver was really cool and said 'no worries'.

Rajahamsa bus has lot of space at the back of the bus and I could fit the cycle without removing the front wheel. Had to pay Rs. 56 as luggage charges to ferry the cycle, isn't it cool?!

Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple,
Doddagaddavalli
is 22kms from Hassan

On the Way

Getting out of the KSRTC bus stand was easy but too much traffic and crowd for about 2 kms towards Belur road.

Almost had crossed Hassan town towards destination and there was barricade by police for checking. Cop standing there flagged me and pulled me over. I was wondering what's going on, as I am cycling and no need for 1. Driver's license 2. Insurance and 3. No Pollution certificate for sure 🙍

It was a cool conversation!

me: Namaskara Sir

Cop (Smiling): Where are you heading? Belur?

me: No, Doddagaddavalli to Lakshmi temple

Cop: What work you do ?

me: Work in Bangalore in hardware company

Cop: Do you do such cycling trip every week ?

me: illa (No) sir, once in 2 weeks

....

me: I studied in Hassan at Holy Mother convent about 30 years back

Cop: Very good, my son also studied there and do you know school principal expired recently

me(Sad): yes sir, he used to teach us

Cop: Doddagaddvalli is 18 kms, bye 😅

At the First Destination Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli

Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple,
Doddagaddavalli

Temple gate was open and no one around, went to neighbor and asked for details. They said, temple is always open and can go ahead and see.

Took by cycle inside the temple complex and was ready to take pic then a lady came running and asked me to move the cycle out and said its per rules. I obliged.

Asked her if she can be the guide to explain details, she said, her husband is the 'official' guide but has gone to his fields to take care of the water situation and she would do her best to explain.

Chatush Koota Temple. One of the rarest temples with four deities and gopuras and temple has Jagathi (Platform)
Interestingly, there is another temple without deity behind the main temple complex. Guide told me, it had most beautiful idol of Kala Bhairava (Shiva) and was stolen about 40 years ago.
There are a total of 9 Gopuras in the complex. 4 of the main temple, 1 behind the temple and 4 at the corners of the complex.
Main gopura on the sanctum sanctorum of Sri. Lakshmi Devi has mesmerizing carvings and other gopuras are similar without carvings.
Its a big temple with carvings all around , have at least an hour to explore the temple and serene lake next to the temple.

Deities and brief history

Was about to exit the temple and the guide showed up and was eager to provide details of the temple.

This is one of the oldest Hoysala Temple built in 1113 CE. It was built by diamond merchant couple from Kolhapur by name Kullahana Rahuta and wife Sahaj Devi.

Goddess Soumya Kali/Durga
Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli

Four deities are in the form of +, on entry to the temple, to the left is the Durga or Soumya Kali. Guide told me that its opposite to the Ugra Kali of Calcutta.

Body guard idol has unusual nostrils below ribs - check it out!

There are two huge idols of body guards (per the guide) outside of the garbha gudi and also 2 small idols of goddesses one with snakes and scorpions and other only with scorpions.

Goddess Lakshmi,
Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli

Goddess Lakshmi is the main deity with about 3 ft idol. Check out the Gaja Lakshmi ( Two elephants and Goddess Lakshmi idol) on the door

Opposite to Goddess Lakshmi is Lord Shiva and Nandi.

Lord Shiva,
Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli

Lord Shiva and Nandi at Sri Lakshmi Temple, Doddagaddavalli.

Look for multiple carvings of Nataraja and Shiva with Rudra Veena on the Ceiling of the temple.

All the 9 ceiling carvings including that of Surya, Kubera are worth admiring.

Take a torch or headlamp to get good view of the ceiling or ask the guide for the torch.

Kala Bhirava,
Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple,
Doddagaddavalli

Opposite goddess Kali was supposed to be Lord Vishnu idol but it was stolen and supposed to be outside India.

Garuda being vahana of Lord Vishnu is intact at the bottom of pedestal but Lord Vishnu idol is replaced by Lord Bhairava Idol.

Per guide, the Lord Bhairava idol from the temple behind or the Vishnu temple is in London now and other idol is in ASI office at Koramangala, Bangalore.

Came back to Hassan KSRTC bus stand and Raj Hamsa bus was ready to depart and was glad to have cycle loaded in the bus.

Ride Details:

Date: 15th July 2023 (Saturday)
Weather: Cloudy weather, Occasional rain, max 25 °C

Start Time: 12:30 AM

End Time: 4:00 PM

Ride Time: 3H 02M