Kurma Jayanthi

Gavi Ranganatha Swamy  (Lord Vishnu in Kurmavathara)

Gavirangapura is a small village near the town of Hosadurga in Chitradurga. This village is famous for Sri Gaviranganatha Swamy where Lord Vishnu is sculpted in the form of a tortoise. Sri Gaviranganatha Swamy Temple is actually a cave temple (the sanctum is a cave) which is now a well-developed temple-complex. Here, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his Kurmavathara and, hence, it is a unique temple in Karnataka.

The garbha-griha is actually a cave on the hillside. The beautiful idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of a giant tortoise is on the floor, at the centre of the cave. The idol is believed to be an udbhava murthy (self-generated) with all the features of a tortoise. Silver eyes have been fixed on the eye sockets. Lord Vishnu’s signature naama is placed on the forehead, and a silver conch and chakra are kept on the left and the right. 

The idol is always covered with garlands of marigold, jasmine, chrysanthemum and tulsi leaves. After the arti is performed, curd is given to the devotees as theertha. The interesting legend behind the shrine is worth reminiscing here. As per Vishnu Purana, Kurmavatara happened during the samudra manthan. It is said that this act was carried out with 2 purposes – to beget amrut or the nectar of immortality, and to bring back Goddess Mahalakshmi from the ocean’s depths. During the churning, Mandara Parvata, which was used as the churning rod, started sinking into the ocean, and Lord Vishnu incarnated as Kurma to lift it up and help the devas and asuras to continue with their task. 

At the lower level of the temple complex, there is a separate shrine dedicated to Goddess Udbhava Lakshmi, the consort of Ranganatha Swamy. This temple has a small vimana in golden colour with many decorative statuettes. There are also smaller shrines of Anjaneya Swamy, Lord Ganesha and Anantha Padmanabha Swamy at different levels on the same hill.

According to locals, some 900 years ago, one of the cows of a landlord suddenly stopped giving milk. The landlord asked the cowherd for a possible reason. The cowherd, curious for an answer, started to follow the cow the next day as it went to graze. The cow went to the top of a hill, entered a cave and reappeared after some time. The cowherd, who was following the cow, took a peek inside the cave and saw an anthill. He informed the landlord about it. The landlord and other villagers came to that place to check it. On that very night, Lord Ranganatha Swamy (Lord Vishnu) appeared in the landlord's dream and enlightened him that he is residing below the same anthill which was discovered that day. The next day, the landlord went to the cave and dismantled the anthill. That’s when he found a small idol of Lord Ranganatha Swamy in the form of a tortoise.

The landlord informed about these miracles to the chieftain who was ruling that area - Mallappa Nayaka. Lord Ranganatha Swamy appeared in the dream of Mallappa Nayaka and asked him to build a temple. Mallappa Nayaka requested the Lord that he can arrange for people but he lacked the requisite money to build the temple. That’s when the Lord disclosed to Mallapa Nayaka that he will get enough wealth under a huge stone which will have Shanka, Chakra and Nama markings.

As advised by the Lord, Mallappa Nayaka started the construction of the temple. And just like the Lord had augured, he found ample wealth under a huge stone, which he used for the construction of the temple.