05 May 2018,
Chikka Madhure has been lying in my travel list for a long time. Finally, this Saturday it was time to go! Being only 33kms from my home, bike was obvious choice. The long due is eventually being paid. Saturday being is auspicious for Shani God it would be ideal day to choose. The only skeptical part was the volume of crowd. Being eminent Shani temple and Saturday, doubt crept in my mind if it would be a long queue to bear. Intuition wiped out all the traumas from mind and firmly held on to the decision. The ride was scheduled at 2PM hoping the pilgrim density would be relatively less.
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| Lake enroute |
Google maps showed clear path till chikka madhure village and estimated time of 50mins. Is it? I know it's smooth ride till Rajanakunte but thereafter condition of road was unknown. In Rajanakunte, I was elevated after veering my bike towards Nelamangala road. Wow! such neatly laid road with no flaws. Even the humps were scientifically laid and you don't feel the jump. The main attraction of the journey along this path was that magnificent bucolic scenes. This is the visuals I was yearning for after a hectic day. I can't count the stops I had till the journey ended. You will be enchanted by the alluring landscapes all along the path. It was a splendid bike ride along the well paved road shrouded with verdant tall vegetation and presence of intermittent lakes. Such a joyous feeling and words cannot elucidate the joy. I was riding at meager speed of 30kmph throughout my journey and smelling the scent of nature. The last few kms were probably laid a year back but in good condition. It took 30 mins for 17kms ride due to aforementioned fact. I reached the temple at 3:15PM and it was time to have darshan.
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| Neatly lined path |
Warning! The below may two paragraphs seem superfluous. It is up to the reader's discretion to judge value of content
Indian astrology known as vedic describes nine planets influencing human lives (2 being imaginary nodes). At the time of birth, every human is influenced by light of Sun and the corresponding reflection of light from remaining planets. Cumulatively, all planets gaze light on the birth of human. Out of planets, Saturn is considered to be the last planet i.e. seventh planet but possesses powerful authority! The rest of planets beyond Saturn are considered too far from earth to have an influence on human lives.
As per mythology, Saturn is bestowed with lordships of 10th i.e. karma and 11th i.e. ambition in natural zodiac. It is believed that trinity gods entrusted Lord Shani to command over the Karma of every human on earth. Hence shani is entitled as Karm phal dhata (). The most dreaded portion of Shani's punishment (or rather teaching) arrives during Shani dasha (19 years) & Saade sathi (lasting for 7.5 years). Not all people feel it, especially, who have beneficial shani in their chart. But Saturn leaves lasting influence during this period. During his tenure, Saturn teaches the person to be in right path by providing severe hardships and at the end bestows with all comforts. The sade sathi is encountered all humans on earth for a period of 7.5 years and level of discomfort depends on the good/bad karma in current life of an individual. At the end of sade sathi, the Lord Saturn shapes the human mind for long term gain. Sometimes during the difficult times, he makes you feel alone. This is the time you realize you have to tide over the distress alone. This makes your confidence stronger and you are prepared for future. Being slow moving planet, the effects of Saturn tends to be everlasting especially during dreadful times. Beware, the teachings of Saturn repeats in life and there is no escape. Hence, the only advice during sade sathi is work hard, stay stronger, and be in right path of life. Additionally, visit the Shani/Hanuman temple to seek blessings of God. These blessings are not to ward off difficulties but to keep you motivated and guide along true path.
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| What shani likes |
Back to the main topic, hope the fable did not yawn you :). As I reached the temple, my apprehension cleared. There was relatively less crowd and viewing deity was quite easier. I parked bike at designated place paying an amount Rs.10/- and walked towards temple. There are two levels of Pooja conducted here. I don't know the reason for this. Looks like one is for utsava murthy (idol used for chariot festival) and the interior one is the udbhava murthy (self manifested). The main idol is the interior one which is completely black in color. The holiness could be easily felt as we enter sanctum sanitarium of temple. After completing the holy view, I walked out of temple. Meanwhile in temple corridor at the exit path, laddus are being sold at Rs.30/- each. I realized that these laddus were high in taste :) after exiting the temple premises. Had I been tasted at the earliest, I would have two more :D. The laddus were garnished with dry fruits, ornate with crystal sugar with alluring aroma of Cardamom. The sumptuous laddu is worth the money! Along with visual, and divine treats, I was lucky to have tasty treat as well :-)
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| The pinnacle |
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| The offerings for Lord Shani |
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| The tasty laddu |
The temple is being renovated to have a brand new look. Apparent look suggested that the pinnacle is not part of renovation. The renovation work is carried out diligently without haste. Probably it may a take another year for completion. As of now debris and dust from renovation may look nauseating but the temple is neatly maintained before renovation. I have confidence that administration would restore the cleanliness in temple post renovation work.
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| Renovation |
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| The chariot |
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| Lunch home |
Behind the main temple, Jyeshtadevi temple is located. Jyeshtadevi is wife of Lord Shani. Even this temple is under renovation. Kalyana shani temple lies beside Jyeshtadevi temple.
Daily free lunch is offered to devotees from 9AM to 4PM. The lunch home is quite big and I feel can accommodate 200 persons at a time. It was beyond 4PM when I finished circumambulation and hence lunch was closed. I did have hefty lunch at home but wanted a small intake as prasad of God.
Miscellaneous details collected
(i) The chariot festival celebrated every year and the most crowded during those days
(ii) Shravana Saturdays is also considered auspicious time to visit the temple
I wanted to depart late to view the resplendent sky mirroring in lake. But the boredom crept in and I had no choice to leave the place. With final obeisance to Lord of Karma, I started return journey. On the way, Sri Hanuman temple is located right in middle of highway with lake nearby. The temple is also neatly maintained and a feeling of sanctity arises as you enter the shrine. Lord Hanuman is also believed to be panacea of Sade sathi and hence devotees throng Hanuman temple during sade sathi period.
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| The Hanuman temple |
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| Chikka Madhure lake |
After brief stay, I started my bike towards Bangalore. On the way, I was again engrossed in nature gazing. That does not mean, I was lost in mind. The heedfulness was alive. Despite well paved highway, the traffic was virtually zero which enabled me seamlessly enjoy the nature. I could not shoot nature photographs of golden hour, since it was too early. The Sun was still shining brightly and unfortunately no clouds to compose good shots. Being summer season, the sundown occurs late. I did not have patience to stay longer either.
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| Evening at chikka madhure lake |
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| The enchanting rural scene |
Transportation
Numerous buses ply on this road especially between Rajanukunte and Nelamangala. I also spotted buses from KBS and KR Market but frequency may be less. Better opt for your own vehicle since place is nearby city.
Parking:
The temple has sophisticated and wide parking space for the pilgrims. It costs Rs.10 for two wheeler, Rs.30 for four-wheelers and Rs.50 for higher end vehicles. Needless to mention, the parking fees are subject to change
Video
Video will be provided once the renovation is completed :-).
