Shree Chikka Tirupati Temple (Maluru)

Shree Chikka Tirupati Temple (Maluru)

Maluru, Bangalore, Kolar, Maharashtra

Chikka Tirupati (meaning 'Small Tirupathi' in Kannada, with reference to Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Venkateshwara, the Hindu god Vishnu. It is located in LAKKUR Hobli of Malur Taluk, in the outskirts of Bengaluru in the South Indian state of Karnataka. The legend of the place relates to the episode of Kandava Dahana in epic Mahabharata. During the Dahana, Takshaka escaped the forest with little injuries and he cursed Agni (the fire god) to lose his divinity. As suggested by Shiva, Agni prayed to Vishnu, here in this region and regained his status.As per another legend, the head of the village had a dream based on which the image of the presiding deity was dug out from a local pond. While carrying it in a bullock cart to the identified place where the temple was to be built, the cart broke in a place which is where the temple was built. As per historical records, the region was ruled by Gangas, Chola and Hoysala dynasties. During the times, the place was called Kanikaranahalli, which went on to become Kanakapura. An interesting part of this lord Venkateshwara idol is that it is an Abhayahastha (hand showing upwards as blessing) whereas in Tirupathi at Andhra Pradesh, the presiding deity's hand is showing downwards. The chariot festival has been of historic importance and draws crowd from neighbouring regions.