LORD MAHABALESWAR OF GOKARNAM

THE TEMPLE COMPLEX

It is fairly a big temple with three prakaras and imposing towers. There are many adorable gods in the inner prakara, installed in beautiful niches and grand mandapas. Among the minishrines that attract the visitors, the sannidhi of Mother Tamaragouri deserves. first mention. The image besides being a marvelous piece of sculpture, is declaring the glory of the kshetra in an odd way. She is holding in her hand a balance with one pan touching the pedestal and the other up, - dangling in the air representing thereby that Gokarna being greater and heavier than Kasi is lower, and so Kasi is up dangling. As the truth comes from Mother Gowri herself, we feel elevated and pay homage for enlightenment. Is not her impartiality worthy of veneration and emulation? As we move further we see many Sivalingas like Saksheeswara linga, old Baleswara linga, along with beautiful granite statures of Vinayaka, Kumaraswamy etc. The spacious courtyards and mandapas with architectural beauty fill the eyes and lift the minds. There are many temples in the vicinity dedicated to Bhadrakali, Balaji, Vithal, Vinayaka etc. Though predominantly a Saivakshetra, it has many shrines installed with Vaishnavate icons and are adored with great fervor.

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