Ambavilas / Mysuru Palace complex is dotted with many ancient Hindu temples. One of them is the Shweta Varahaswamy Temple.
The Shweta Varahaswamy Temple is situated in the southern gate / Varaha gate of the palace dedicated to Lord Varaha / Vishnu avatar. Varaha avatara is associated with clear knowledge. Varaha observes that Hiranyaksha hid the Earth in the Rasatala regions, one of the seven lower regions of the universe, where no one could find the Earth. The only way to find it was frp, smell. Hence, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and retrieved the Earth from the netherworld. The Rasatala regions refer to the place where the demons live. In this story, the retrieving signifies the liberation of the jivatman from ignorance.
The temple architecture is inspired by the Hoysala style of architecture. Dewan Purnaiah used materials of a Hoysala building that was being built in Shimoga district to build the Varahaswamy Temple as per the wishes of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III.
Then Mysore King Chikka Deva Raja Wodeyar (1672-1704 A.D.) procured the stone image of Sweta Varahaswamy from Srimushnam in Tamil Nadu and installed the idol in a temple in Srirangapatna. However, this temple was demolished and the idol was shifted to Mysore and set up in this temple in 1809.
In the navaranga (pillared hall), Mysore paintings decorate the walls. The temple is within a high walled enclosure and the southeastern wall has a mural representing Rama Pattabhisheka, the coronation of Lord Rama. The painted inscription below the panel states that the painting was executed on Monday the second of the bright half of the month Magha in the cyclic year Bhava of Saka era 1797 (1875).
The vahana / vehicle of Lord Vishnu, Garuda is depicted a the entrance of the temple.
Lord Hanuman, the brave one whose chanting gives a lot of courage to the young and the old is also depicted.
There are also inscribed images of Vaishnavacharyas: Desikar and Jeeyar in the temple. Desikar is also known as Vedanthacharya, a popular Vaishnava teacher and author from the 13th and 14th centuries.
The temple stands on a star shaped raised platform, which is typical of a Hoysala temple. The outer panels are intricately carved with images of Vishu.
The gopuram is tall and majestic.
The courtyard contains closed enclosure for people to rest.
Shweta Varahaswamy Temple gopuram is also lit up during the Palace illumination.
Place Statistics:
Type of place: Ancient temple
Situated: Mysuru Palace, Mysuru
Distance: Mysuru is 140Km from Bangalore
Transport: Well connected by road, rail and air
Facilities: Rest Room, drinking water is available
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