Mahimapura Garuda Ranganatha Swamy temple is a temple very near to Bengaluru City. It is about 52 km. The temple is in a small village actually a hamlet. The temple is on rocky hill. The hill is about 300 feet in height. There are steps made by cutting notches n the rocky hill. On both the side of the steps steel railings are fixed to hold as support for climbing. But the climb is a bit steep with around 300 steps to the top of the hill. The temple is small and is on top of the hill. The sanctum sanctorum houses the idols of the deities Lord Ranganathaswamy, his consort goddess Lakshmi and the Lord’s vehicle/carrier the Garuda (golden eagle – Krishna Parunthu).
The uniqueness of this Mahimapura Garuda Ranganathaswamy hill temple is that the main deity the Lord Ranganatha is in the form of a jaggery mound (Nirakari). The Lord is like the Lord Venkataramana with Shankhu (conch shell), Chakra (discuss) in two hands and the other two hands in the posture of Abhaya and Varada. The idol of the deity of Garuda is also in the Garbha Griha along with his master. Here Garuda is equally important as his master. Normally in other temples of Lord Vishnu, the Garuda will be present in the dwajasthamba (flag pole) or as a sub deity or as a carrier fixed in from of his master ready to carry his master wherever his master wants to go.
From Bangalore city there are 3 trips of bus service. But there is more bus service from the town of Nelamangala a town in the Bangalore district on the way to Mahimapura Garuda Ranganathaswamy hill temple village from Bangalore city.
It being a hamlet there may not be food facility there. But if only 3 – 4 people are there in the group, if intimated to the family of the priest of the temple in advance, they will make vegetarian food for about Rs 40 per head. If the group is having more members, the priest has to be informed well in advance. Otherwise, Nelamangala town is having food joint to suit all which is only about 20 km from the hamlet.
The hamlet is a beautiful pristine one without the corruption of the city in addition to the Mahimapura Garuda Ranganatha Swamy temple . A visit to the temple and spending some time in the village will be strengthening the body and mind.
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