The temple which is open only for a few days during Deepavali (Hasanamba temple , Hassan)

The temple which is open only  for a few  days during Deepavali (Hasanamba temple  , Hassan)

Compiled  by

P.R.Ramachander

(One of my sisters  of face book  called  Smt Bhavani Mangalam   requested me to write   whatever I know of this temple. I am dedicating this small article to her.)

   Hassan is an important town in Karnataka. One of the important temples is that of Hasanamba  (The mother of Joy) This is a temple dedicated  to Goddess  Durga. Strangely  the deity inside  the temple  is represented  by an ant hill. The following is the belief.

    Once upon a time   the seven Mathrukas   viz  Maheswari, Kaumari  , Vaishnavi  , Indrani and Chamundi   came floating  to the southern part of India . They were captivated  by the beauty  of Hassan  and decided to make that town their home.  While Maheswari, Kaumari   and Vaishnavi decided   to live in  three anthills  , Brahmi decided to live in a place called  Kenchamma’s hoskote  in the  town   And Indrani , Varahi  and Chamundi   chose to live in three   wells  in Devegere Honda , The presiding deity, Maheswari among them took the name of Hasanamba (The mother who is smiling)  and the town was called as Hassan (old name Simhasanapuri)  in her honour.   The temple is open only for a few days during deepavali  . It opens on the Thursday next to Full moon day in the month of Aswija(October-November) and closes  on the Bali Padyami day i.e Prathama thithi following Deepavali festival. Several miracles   are believed to happen in this temple.Some of them are

1.The flowers offered t the deity do not fade and the lamp lit  before closing never gets puts out till the next year  when the  tample opens.

2.There was once a suffering daughter in law devotee to the Goddess who was tortured by her mother in law. Once the mother in law threw a stone at her daughter in law  and she was greatly hurt. When she appealed to the Goddess , she turned her in to a sone . This stone is in front of her  and it is believed  that it keeps moving nearer  to the Goddess . Devotees also believe , that once the stone reaches the Goddess Kaliyuga would end.

 3.It is also believed  that four robbers wanted to steal  the treasure of the temple and the goddess  turned them in to stones.Some people call the temple as Kallappana gudi( the temple of men turned in to stones)

      The structure seen at the entrance of Hasanamba temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva locally called Siddheshwara. It is renowned for its self-manifested linga. There's also an interesting idol of a nine-headed Ravana playing the Veena here. Honouring the devout nature of Ravana, every new moon day people gather at the temple. The annual chariot festival also takes place on the closing day of the Hasanamba temple during Deepavali.

      This year the temple has opened on 12^th October 2017  and would be open till October 21^st. The  temple would be closed daily from 1.30 PM to 2.30 PM , In this short period , it is expected that  about a million devotees would visit the temple.

Enjoy seeing a video about the temple  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQow2CIgXqA