Chokkanathaswamy temple, at Domlur in the Indian city of Bangalore, is dedicated to the deity known as Chokkanathaswamy or Chokka Perumal .It is one of the oldest temples in the city, dating to the Chola period of the 10th century AD
Shrine’s History
This Chola-period Chokkanathaswamy temple is considered as the oldest temple in Bangalore. There are several notable sculptures and decorative features in the complex and the temple faces west. One Tamil inscription dated 1270 A.D. on a door frame states that the doors were donated by one Alagiyar and another inscription says of donation by one Talaikattu and one more inscription dated 1290 A.D. states that Poysala Vira Ramananda made donations to the temple. Vijayanagara style Navaranga and pillars are later editions.
Tamil Inscriptions The Chokkanathaswamy Temple is a 10th-century Chola temple, located in Domlur. There are a number of Tamil inscriptions in the temple. Domlur is called as Tombalur or Desimanikkapattanam in these inscriptions. Chakravarthi Posalaviraramanatha Deva has left inscriptions with directions to temple authorities of his kingdom.
Further some inscriptions record the tributes, taxes and tolls made to the temple by Devaraya II of Vijayanagar Empire, which state the houses, wells, the land around Tombalur were offered to the deity Sokkapperumal. Another Tamil inscription dated 1270 talks about 2 door posts being donated by Alagiyar. Yet another inscription in Tamil details Talaikkattu and his wife donating lands from Jalapalli village and Vinnamangalam tank to the deity. A 1290 AD inscription talks about donation of ten pens from the revenue of Tommalur by Poysala vira Ramananda
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The temple has been extensively renovated several times and only the sanctum sanctorum and two ardhamantapas exhibit antiquity. The images of Vishnu, Sridevi and Bhudevi established in Garbhagraha are carved out of Shaligrama stone brought from Gandaki river, in Nepal
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Bangalore is well-connected by a network of buses from cities like Goa, Mumbai, Pune, Coimbatore and Mangalore. The options range from regular buses to air-conditioned, Volvo and sleeper coaches.
By Rail
Bangalore has two important railway stations – Bengaluru City Railway Station and Yeswantpur Junction. Both railway stations have regular trains running from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and other major cities.
By Air
Bangalore is extremely well-connected by regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai and most other important cities in India and also has international carriers flowing in and out of the Bengaluru International Airport.
Shrine Timings
8:30 AM to 12 PM&6 PM to 9 PM
