Champaka Dhama in Bangalore by Roopa Sreedhar

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Wondering where Champaka Dhama is? Don't go too far, its right here in Bangalore's backyard.

The hillock near the entrance of Bannerghata National Park is called Champaka Dhama. There is a 600 year old temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara & Godess Mahalakshmi. Here, the Lord is also known by the name Champaka Dhama Swamy. Less than a hundred steps lead to the top of the small hillock & yet another temple dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

Clubbing with a safari in Bannerghatta National Park, this hillock makes a lovely picnic spot well within Bangalore city.

Archana took Smitha & I to Champaka Dhama as a surprise outing. Archana was obviously feeling too religious & spent a lot of time speaking silently to all the available Gods at the temple. I was not particularly spiritual after our visit to Sneha Sadan orphanage before landing at the temple. Smitha lingered behind while waiting with patience for Archana to finish her meeting. We interrupted Archana's rendezvous with CD Swamy & took the fifty odd steps to the top of the hill for an evening walk. We enjoyed a pleasant evening here with a cool breeze blowing our way & clear view of south Bangalore & Bannerghatta National Park.


I realize that it is good to have temples on top of hillocks. The stone quarrying Mafia will at least spare these rocks in the name of religion. The speed at which quarrying is happening around Bangalore, Kolar, Tekal, Mysore, Ramanagaram & Hunsmaranahalli, our district & the surrounding ones will be flat lands in a matter of years. Too much destruction of nature in too short a time!

Regards,
Roopa Sreedhar

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