Magadi is a small town near Bangalore-some 53 kilometers from the city. Once the capital of Kempegowda, it is now a nondescript village. Are there any interesting places to visit in Magadi? Surprisingly yes, there is.This post describes some Magadi attractions.
Magadi is an hour distance from the city and makes for a good one day trip from Bangalore. Here are few details.
Who is Kempegowda?
Before we begin to see what Magadi has to offer let us understand who Kempegowda was. Very briefly, we credit Kempegowda to be the founder of Bangalore? Why? He had the vision to build Bangalore as a fortified city in the year 1537. He and his son Kempgowda II ruled the city for more than 100 years. However in 1638, with the attack by Bijapur army, Kempegowda-II was forced to give up Bangalore and move to Magadi and make it his capital.
Magadi Kempegowda
So what did Kempegowda do after shifting to Magadi? He built a fort, dug a moat around it and during his reign and his successors, two Magadi temples were built inside the fort complex. He not only fortified this city but also took precautions to fortify nearby hills like Savandurga and he captured other regions like Hulikal, Hulliyurdurga,Kunigal, Uttaridurga etc
Magadi Sightseeing in a day
Here are the top six attractions at Magadi
Magadi map
Before I start listing what you can see, take note that the roads going towards the town Magadi is not in a great shape. To top it, the traffic will be an issue. We drove taking a left to outer ring road after Taj Yeshwantapur and then took a right towards Magadi Main road crossing Sunkadakatte,Herohalli,Sigehalli,Tavarakere towards Magadi Town. Enclosing a map here for reference from yeshwanthpur. The driving time taken is around two hours.
Just before you hit town take a right towards a very popular temple
Magadi Ranganathaswamy temple.
–>1. Magadi Ranganathaswamy temple
‘Magadi from ancient times was the abode of holy rishis. Mandavya Rishi did penance here and pleased with this, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Saligrama,’ described the priest when asked about the importance of this temple. I could see the saligrama stone in front of the idol of Vishnu. ‘ Water poured on saligrama vanishes instantly. Till today no one has been to able to figure out where the water disappears ‘, added the priest further.
One of the star attractions of this temple is the idol of Magadi Ranga or Belayo Ranga inside the temple complex. It is believed that the idol grows
slightly every year. ‘Childless couples pray to this lord, tie a swing or thotilu above the idol and ask for favors,’ mentioned a devotee behind me. Smeared with butter the Ranganatha idol looked blissful.
The Cholas constructed this Dravidian style temple in 11-12 century and later the succeeding kingdoms- Hoysalas, Vijayanagaras, Wodeyars gave generous grants to this temple. The temple was repaired under Samantha Raya – manager of this district during Vijayanagara times. Samantha Raya was given this place as jagir – he had enlarged this town, fortified savandurga when he had served this place from 1543-1571. The magnificent gopura of the temple was added later in 1959 by Jayachamarajendra wodeyar.
–>2. Magadi Fort:
As you enter town you hit the fort first and it is a bit of shock, a small section of the fort is the only remains of the once strong fort.
The stone kote lies near a bustling Magadi bazaar and bus stand. There are no entrance gateways, sentries or temples nearby either to proclaim the entrance or exits of the fort. The fort that once held palace,public offices and temples now has only the Rameshwara temple- the family god of Kempegowdas.
–>3.Magadi temples-Rameshwara
A small temple of Shiva – the Rameshwara temple lies inside the fort complex. The temple though survives, intact with a sanctum sanctum, vestibule,navarang and a veranda. The courtyard or prakara has the cells of panchalinga- or five lingas. Kempegowda II in 1630 had granted two villages- Kanchugarahalli and Shinganahalli to this temple. Sadly the temple of today does not reflect the glorious years that it once enjoyed.
–>4. Magadi Kempegowda Statue
Once you check out the fort come back to the main road and then take the next right towards the Kempegowda statue. There is not much here, yet you can see a statue of the founder. More importantly there is a bit of history about Magadi Kempegowda which is worth reading.
–>5. Magadi Temple-Someshwara
Spend some time here and then drive another two kilometers to reach another popular temple of Magadi- Someshwara temple. This was also built during Kempegowda time.
This temple was constructed by the last of Kempegowdas- KempaveeraGowda in 1712. And he too had granted two villages Jettanhalli and Shirupatihali for its upkeep. Kempaveera Gowda was taken prisoner in 1728 by Mysore King Dodda Krishnaraja’s Dalavayi Devaraja. He died in the prison of Srirangapatna.
The temple is a fine dravidian structure 90*70 yards. It has the idols of Someshwara or shiva, a three feet high idol of Parvati and another image of Satyanarayana. Besides these temples there are beautiful mandapas – Kempegowda Hazara hall, dancing hall, Nyaya mantapa-the justice dispensing hall of Kempegowda. The motifs on the pillars of these halls are beautiful-animals,creepers,flowers,humans and gods find themselves etched to posterity. There is also the image of Kempegowda depicted with a staff in his hand in one of these halls. The ceilings of Kempegowda Hazara and Kalyana mantapa or the wedding hall have paintings of puranic scenes. Unfortunately they are damaged. But the astonishing thing- you can still make out the red,green mineral colors of yesteryear.
The gopuras or towers of this temple are delightful. While the entrance towers welcome you inside with river goddesses and makara toranas the gopuras on the corners of temple courtyard display a mix of Dravidian, Vijayanagar style and a whiff of Deccani style- domes and archs fuse with South Indian temple designs.
–>6.Kempegowda Nandi Mantapa or tower
A few distance away is a tower, the signature style of Kempegowdas to build watch towers for protecting their city. It has the bull or Basava inside.
Other excursions:
Apart from these temples you can head to Savandurga for a trek. Tippagondanahalli reservoir is also nearby for which prior permission has to be taken.
Magadi:Places to eat
Hotel Prakash seems to be a good bet with a four star rating by Google. As I had carried a packed lunch we only stopped for tea at a bakery at Thavarakere.
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