Indiranagar maybe famous for all its restaurants, pubs and fast food joints, but one cannot afford to miss Sree Chokkanatha Swamy temple, the oldest temple in Bengaluru. Situated inside the bustling lanes of Domlur, this ancient temple was built by Thiripuraanthakan of Talaikkaadu and his wife Chettichi Parpati of Shaivite Chola dynasty during 13 th century AD. The sanctum sanctorum or garbhagriha and the ardha mantapa are from the Chola period (9 th  to 13 th  century). The front portion or navaranga mantapa which is an extension to the previously existing portion belong to Vijayanagar period (14 th  to 17th century).

This temple is dedicated to the deity known as Chokkanathaswamy or Chokka Perumal. The temple
showcases the beauty of 10 th century Chola architecture. One of the pillars has Vishnu’s dashavatharas (10 forms) are beautifully etched on it. One can see myriad Tamil inscriptions adorning the walls and pillars of the temple, where Domlur is referred to as Tombalur or Desimanikkapattanam.

The main highlight of the temple are the idols of Lord Vishnu, goddesses Sridevi and Bhudevi at sanctum sanctorum are made of Saligram stone brought from Nepal’s Gandaki River. The Saligrama is the most sacred stone worshipped by Vaishnavas. The Vijayanagar style Navaranga pillars and the front mantapa are later additions. The sculpture on the Navaranga pillars depict the kolata scene, fight of Vali and Sugreeva.

 

Another specialty about the temple is that, it is considered to be a centre of pranic energy. Inside this temple complex there are twelve pranic points. The healing spots are highlighted by painted white squares. According to the legend, one has to stand inside the square, facing the shrine and pray for two minutes to experience the pranic energy at these points. Though the temple is beautiful culmination of both Chola and Vijayanagara style of architecture, it stands extremely renovated. During 1975-1983 a large scale renovation on the temple façade and interiors was undertaken in order to preserve the older structures. The temple has been extensively renovated several times and only the sanctum sanctorum and two ardhamantapas exhibit antiquity.
This temple is a prefect amalgamation of Bengaluru’s old world charm and current urbanization.