Ancient Temple with1500 BCE old Shiva Linga at Balmuri Falls near Mysore, Balmuri waterfalls, Srirangapatna tourism, Mandya tourism, Karnataka Tourism. Balmuri is quiet a location on the outskirts of Mysore. It is about 15 kms from Mysore and is a perfect spot for picnic with your family and friends.
Balmuri falls, is actually a check damn with water over flowing. This man made dam runs across the breadth of the Cauvery river and creates a beautiful cascade of water just 6 feet high
Green coconut palms and trees adorn the shores and the gushing cascade of water sparkle in the sun, which is why the spot is quite scenic where many song sequences in Kannada and a few Hindi films have been shot!
The name 'Balmuri' means 'to curve right' in the Kannada language, which relates to the right turn that the river takes at this spot in Srirangapatna.
Visitors can also enjoy boat-ride upstream in the waters impounded by the dam. However, advice not to get into water due to serious accidents at this place.
Next to visit at Balmuri is the ancient Hindu temple on banks of river Cauvery.
As you enter the main door of the temple complex through the recently repaired gopuram, you can see renovated temples inside the compound.
The main deities Agastyeshwara and Narayanaswamy are housed under one roof in a twin temple.
It is said that in between 985 C E & 1,014 C E, when Chola King Raja Raja Chola 1 visited this part of his vast empire, he happened to see a Shivalinga. He came to know that sage Agasthya had done penance here and worshipped this linga.
Being a devotee of Lord Shiva, the king immediately got this temple constructed overnight and by the strike of first rays of the rising sun, he performed mangalarathi to Lord Shiva.
As the main deity Shiva was worshipped by sage Agasthya, the temple became popular as Agasthyeshwara temple.
The spacious open verandah outside the prayer hall was built much later by the Wodeyars of Mysore.
To the right of this temple, are two smaller temples - one is Parvathi Devi temple and the other is Anjaneya temple.
Both temples resemble the main temple in architecture.
Lord Ganesha temple located in this temple complex is a recent addition in this complex.
The temple has simple, but robust architecture. Majestic granite pillars of the verandah have intricate carvings which bear testimony to the patronage of the Wodeyars to art and culture. Each pillar is crafted differently reflecting the skills of sculptors of the period.
The temple complex also houses stone inscriptions some of which lauds the majesty of King Raja Raja Chola.
If you are going towards KRS Dam or Brindavan Gardens, then a visit to Balmuri is a must.
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Quick Facts:
How To Reach Balmuri Temple & Falls?
There are KSRTC & Private buses that operate from Bangalore or Mysore to Srirangapatna. From Srirangapatna taxis and autos are easily available to reach the waterfall. Visitors can also book taxis, cabs or bikes to reach the waterfall directly from Bangalore or from Mysore. You can also catch the K.R.S. bus and you have to get down before 8 kms from K.R.S.(Krishna Raja Sagara) and walk about 3 kms to reach the spot. You can also hire a taxi or an auto to the spot.
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Google Map Location:
Sri Agasteshwara Temple, Srirangapatna : goo.gl/maps/pdKzHgKcYCrXMT35A
Balmuri Falls: goo.gl/maps/RKXHAkVmqwTeLgSC7
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Sound effects obtained from www.zapsplat.com
Music Credits : Yellow Tunes ( www.yellowtunes.net/ )
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