Travel: Sri Surya Narayana Swamy Temple, Domlur, Bangalore
One of the few Sun Temples
You find very few temples dedicated to the Sun God when compared to the other Gods. One of the few is the Surya Narayana Swamy Temple in Domlur, Bangalore. It is located in a calm area, far from the din of traffic. It is very close to the Domlur Venkateswara Swamy temple - less than a kilometer from it. However, at the first look, it did not seem to draw as many visitors.
The most famous of the Sun Temples is the Sun Temple at Konark (near Puri) in Orissa.
How to Reach there
The exact address is: Sri Surya Narayana Swamy Temple, No. 74/1, K.R. Colony, Domlur Layout, Bangalore - 560071.
You have multiple options to reach this place. You can get off at the Domlur Bus Stop and take an Auto - you pay the minimum fare or just walk down.
The following busses reach Domlur Bus stop:
- From Shivajinagar: 132, 134, (330 ABCD), 331
- From City Market: 332, 324, 329, 332, 335, 336, 338
- From Majestic: 62, 131, 131 E, 131 F, 333, 13 (Pushpak)
If you are on your own vehicle, when coming from Marathahalli side (or Manipal Hospital) on the OLD Airport Road, take a left towards the CPWD Quarters. Take a left at the Dead end and take the first right, left at the dead end and right again. You will find an open car park. If you are coming from the MG Road-side, a right turn is NOT allowed at the CPWD quarters. So you will need to take the PREVIOUS right turn (the one that leads to the Domlur Venkeswara Swamy Temple) and then take the internal roads to reach this place.
Route Map from OLD Airport Road
Sri Surya Narayana Swamy
Its Different!
Most temples in Bangalore slowly become a one-stop-shop for all Gods. In the process, they even lose the walking space for devotees. As of now, this temple is different in the following aspects:
- It still has a large open space and there is no rush of either Gods or devotees.
- The temple is very neat and clean - sparking clean. Cleaning seems to be a daily routine here
- There is ample parking, partly attributed to the Kalyana Mantapa (or Marriage Hall) associated with it. A chance visit to the Kalyana Mantapa for a close friend's marriage is how I discovered this beautiful temple.
- Among the various deities in the temple, most are related to the Sun
- The temple is not crowded.
- It does not promise to be a one-stop shop for all deities in the near future.
Just as the ISKON temple in Yeswanthpur has paintings on the inner ceiling, this has paintings on the inner walls. The paintings have a strong Rajasthani flavour - the Painter was either from the North of India or all his models were.
We asked the priest if we could take photos of the paintings outside. The priest politely refused. He however gifted us a Photograph of the presiding deity.
History
This temple was built in the year 1995 by Mr. Reddy. He also built the Kalyana Mantapa. You will find a room with his photos and personal belongings here. There is also a Premier Padmini car in an immovable state, possibly belonged to Mr. Reddy.
About the Kalyana Mantapa
The Kalyana Mantapa (or the Marriage Hall) is spacious - good for about 500 guests, not sure what the rated capacity is. There is ample Car parking for about 30 cars and about 100 bikes. The dining hall is in the basement - the staircase that leads to the dining hall is narrow though. The hand washing place is clean. There are sufficient rooms for the guests. And the temple provides a good getaway.