Chokkanatha Swamy Domlur

In the infrastructural changes of the last 50 years, the oldest Chozha period Perumal temple in Bangalore has gone into obscurity into a small lane off the old Airport road. Historically, most of the Perumal temples in Karnataka have been along the banks of the Cauvery as seen from the temples in and around Srirangapatna (Srirangapatna), Talakadu (Talakkadu), Satyagala Madhya Rangam (Satyagala) and the like. However, this one in Bangalore was a rare exception built during the Chozha period on the Eastern outskirts.

As per inscriptions dating back to the rule of Raja Raja Chozha, this temple was located in ‘Tommaluru’ (now Domlur) belonging to Desa Manikka Pattinam of Yelahanka region. The main Saligrama deity was referred to as ‘Chokka’ Perumal. During the rule of Raja Raja Chozha, the rights of the temple land and right to perform consecration ceremony and archaka service was handed to Allala Nambiyar and his descendants. Lands were also donated for the maintenance of the temple. The sanctum and the artha mandapam seem to belong to the period of the Chozhas. Subsequently during the rule of the Hoysalas, donations were made for the conduct of the festivals. The exteriors of the temple bear endorsement of the style of the Vijayanagara rulers.

Saptha Rishis performed penance at this location. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Vishnu directed them to install a deity of his at a high location facing East in a way to receive Cosmic Energy. A photo dating back to 1947 indicates the historical structure of the temple prior to the consecration of the 1980s after the restoration. The temple now bears no resemblance to the historical exteriors as seen just under 75years ago.

Sun’s rays fall on the Lord in end of February – early March for 10 days and once again end of September early October for 10 days.

10 spots within the temple complex have been marked for Cosmic Energy, the only such temple in Bangalore. This has become so popular that devotees from far away Bidar and Gulbarga regularly visit this temple and stay here for Cosmic Energy. 

In the mid 1970s, the devotees came together to renovate the temple and rebuilt the temple in the form and structure that we see today. Vinayaka and Hanuman Sannidhis have been recent additions. Abhisekam takes place for Vinayakar on Monday and Tuesday and Thirumanjanam for Hanuman on Tuesday and Saturday.  Every morning there is a homam at the temple between 630am and 730am.

Sundara Kandam Parayanam takes places at the temple during Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama Navami and Navarathri. There is a special alankaram on each day of the Navarathri Utsavam with a street procession on Vijayadasami. Kalyana Utsavam too has become a regular feature at this temple of late and devotees have come to believe this as a Prarthana Sthalam where Chokka Perumal fulfills their wishes. 

As is the case with temples in Tamil Nadu, the Saturdays have become grand celebrations in Puratasi ( Kannada Shravanam month).  Every Saturday, following the Thirumanjanam, there is annadhanam for around 400 people. Every morning in margazhi, around 30 devotees present Thiruppavai at this temple at 5.30am. There is also a 78 day parayanam by Domlur Trustees – Lalitha Sahasranamam and Vishnu Sahasranamam. On the day following Rama Navami as well as on the fourth Saturday of Puratasi (Kannada Shravanam Month), Chokka Perumal along with Sri and Bhoo Devi Thayar provide darshan around the streets of Domlur on a Pallakku.  

Every February, a dance programme is organised inside the temple complex by the Karnataka Government Endowment at Heritage temples programme.

Balaji Bhattar, the current priest at the temple, is from a Vedic Patshala that is located two kilometers from this temple. Around 40students including from Hassan and Mandya are being initiated into agamas and stotras there. 

R Keshavachar is the hereditary archaka of the temple.

The temple is open from 6am-11am and 6pm-830pm. Contact: Balaji Bhattar @ 97414 54291