Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Kallahalli, Krishnarajpet Taluk, Mandya District, Karnataka State. The Bhu Varahnath/Varahaswamy Temple of Goddess Lakshmi is located in a small village called Kallahalli on the west bank of Hemavati river. It is one of the most important places near Mysore and the temple near the backwaters of KRS. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s third incarnation, Varahaswamy or pig form. In this avatar Lord Vishnu appeared as a boar to protect Bhudevi/Mother Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha.
Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple is about 164 km from Bangalore. It is about 62 km from Mandya city and 44 km from Mysore city. It is only 43 km from Mysore railway station.
The temple is open from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
People visit this temple for redress related to house, site purchase and land dispute settlement.
The structure of Bhu Varahaswamy Temple at Kallahalli is very simple. It is a rectangular building made of large gray stone blocks. The temple consists of two components, the sanctum sanctorum and the front hall. Inside the sanctum sanctorum is an awe-inspiring idol of the deity. The idol inside is breathtaking.
Idol of Bhu Varahaswamy seated in sukhasana Krishnashila idol is beautiful and majestic 18 feet high, monolith made of gray stone. Varahaswamy is seated with Bhudevi (Lakshmi) on his folded left thigh. Bhudevi idol is 3.5 feet tall. Although the idol is huge and majestic, the energy emanating from it is gentle, warm and reassuring. The deity has mysterious powers. Also Sudarshan Chakra is engraved on the back of the idol. Lord Varaha’s left hand embraces the goddess and right hand is in Abhaya mudra. Varahaswamy’s upper hands hold the conch shell and Sudarshana Chakra.
Lord Varaha wears a kiritamukha (crown) and Goddess Bhudevi wears a karanda face. Angels are light in color and eyes are reddish red. The sacred area where sage Gautama did penance 2,000 years ago and is believed to have been consecrated by him. An idol of Hanuman is also carved under the main idol. Abhishekam is a special worship to Lord Varahnath. There are two huge wooden doors at the entrance.
A Dasoha Bhavan has been constructed for the distribution of Dasoha prasada (offered meals) to the devotees. On the deity’s birth star, Revati, and during the month of Thai, the significant festival of the 1008 Kalasha Abhisheka (ceremonial anointment) is conducted. Special Abhishekam to Swami with 25 types of different flowers including milk, curd, lemon, honey, sugarcane, Ganges water, Sandalwood, Turmeric Kumkum, thousands of devotees can witness the Abhishekam.
Legend has it that King Vira Balla got lost in this forest during one of his hunting trips. He was resting under the shade of a huge tree when he saw a dog chasing a rabbit for its prey. When they reached a certain place the rabbit turned back and started chasing the fierce dog. Observing this strange incident, the king was convinced that there were unseen forces in that place. He excavated the entire area and found the Lord Pralaya Varahaswamy hidden under the layers of earth. Later the king installed it in the temple and regularly offered puja prayers. The temple we see today is the ruins built by the king. A stone slab with Devanagiri inscriptions right in front of the temple tells us the story of the place.
