India is a land of spirituality and culture, where every inch of the land is considered sacred. Karnataka, a state in southern India, is home to many famous temples and shrines that preserve the Vedic culture. One such place is Kere Thonnur, also known as Thondanur, located near Mysore. Visiting this place is a sweet travel experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories. It is a place where the fragrance of knowledge and spirituality spreads, and where you can feel the presence of the divine in every aspect of nature.
During our recent trip, we had the opportunity to explore the village of Kere Thonnuru, located 38 km away from Mysore. In Kannada language, "Kere" translates to "pond". This village is adorned with lush green crop fields and coconut groves, reminiscent of the scenic beauty of Konaseema in Andhra Pradesh. The village owes its charm to a dam that was constructed on the river Yadava a millennium ago under the orders of Sri Ramanujacharya. This dam gave rise to a beautiful pond. Sri Ramanujacharya sought refuge in this area after escaping from Kulottungan, the Saivadharma ruler of Sriranga. During his stay, he carefully observed the flow of the Yadava river in this region and decided to build a dam here.
This dam holds the distinction of being the inaugural dam in the Asian continent. For a millennium, this reservoir has remained impervious to drought, even during times of widespread famine. At the inception of the reservoir, an idol of Sri Ramanuja in the Padmasana mudra was placed. Continuously brimming with copious amounts of water, this reservoir and dam provide a haven of joy and tranquility for all who come to visit.
Three temples of great antiquity and renown are situated in close proximity to the Thonnur tank.
*Parthasarathy temple*
The Parthasarathy Temple, also known as the Gopalakrishna Swamy Temple, was constructed by Dharmaraja during the Dwapara Yugantam era following Lord Krishna's departure. The temple is enclosed by towering praharams, creating a sense of grandeur. A spacious courtyard has been meticulously designed to accommodate religious festivities. Devotees are captivated by the exquisite idol of Lord Gopalakrishna enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum, accompanied by Sridevi and Bhudevi Thayarus. The temple pavilion still bears remnants of Sri Krishna's murals, a testament to its rich history. Currently, the Department of Archaeology oversees the maintenance and preservation of this ancient temple. Learning that it was built by Dharmaraja, who had received the blessings of Lord Krishna, fills me with an indescribable sense of devotion.
*Nambi Narayana Swamy Temple*
This temple, considered one of the most sacred Pancha Narayana Kshetras by the Sri Vaishnavas, was constructed approximately a millennium ago under the direction of Sri Ramanuja. It stands opposite the Sri Gopalakrishna Swamy temple. Sri Ramanujacharya rescued the daughter of Hoysala lord and Jain preacher Sri Bittideva from the clutches of a Brahma rakshasa. Since that day, Bittideva renounced Jainism in the presence of Sri Ramanuja and embraced Vaishnavism, adopting the name Vishnuvardhana. Inscriptions indicate that Vishnuvardhana himself built this temple on the instructions of Sri Ramanuja.
The Endowment Department of the Government of Karnataka takes great care in maintaining this temple, which is situated in a spacious courtyard. Despite the passage of thousands of years, the image of Narayan in the innermost chamber remains remarkably beautiful and serene. What sets this temple apart is the worship of Lord Narayana as *Sowmya Narayana*, depicted with a conch shell in his right hand and Sudarshana Chakra in his left hand. The Goddess worshipped here is known as Aravindanayaki Thayar.
The central temple is encircled by expansive corridors featuring double-layered praharis. The remarkable craftsmanship of the Hoysalas is truly indescribable when admiring the intricately sculpted pillars adorning the temple's mantapas.
With the exception of festivals, the temple is usually not crowded. However, on the day we went, there was a notable presence of devotees who had traveled from Tamil Nadu.
*Temple of Yoga Narasimha and Ramanuja*
Situated on a modest hill just behind the Nambi Narayana Swamy Temple, this temple is home to Sri Narasimha Swamy, who is depicted in the yoga mudra, a sitting posture associated with Ayyappa Swamy. According to the temple priest, the deity was consecrated by Prahlad during the Krita Yuga. Additionally, the idol of Sri Ramanujacharya is revered and worshipped to the right of the temple's main entrance.
Our visit to Kere Tonnuru Dam, the lake, and three of the oldest and most stunning temples left us with a sense of exhilaration, happiness, and contentment upon our return.
Y Dwaraka Nath
Mysore
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