Hasanamba temple

Hasanamba Temple
Hasanamba Temple Location within Karnataka
Geography
Coordinates	13°00′09″N 76°05′36″E / 13.0024267°N 76.0933586°E / 13.0024267; 76.0933586
Country	India
State/province	Karnataka
District	Hassan
Locale	Hassan
Culture
Primary deity	Sapthamathruke (7 sisters), Chamundi, Maheshwari, Vaishnavi, Indrani
Important festivals	Deepavali
Architecture
Architectural styles	Hoysala tradition of temple architecture

Hasanamba temple is a Hindu temple located in Hassan, Karnataka, dedicated to Goddess Shakti or Amba. The temple was built in the 12th century, and tourists are only able to visit the temple is once a year during the Hindu Deepavali in October, which is in the Hindu lunar month of Ashwayuja. Devotees visit the temple to seek the Goddess’ blessings during this week.

The temple is believed to have been constructed sometime around the 12th century, although the exact date is unknown. There is an ant-hill representing the presiding deity inside the temple premises and because the temple is open for only a week a year, it is very specialspecial to obtain a darshan during the Deepavali festival.

Archeological experts consider the Hasanamba Temple in Hassan to be the epitome of temple architecture in Karnataka. The city of Hassan dates back to the 11th century and the temples around Hassan signify the various dynasties that have ruled ever since the 11th century. It was originally built by the Hoysala dynasty in their tradition, reflecting their faith in Jainism. The temples in the Hassan district are some of the examples of the Hoysala tradition of temple architecture.

The temple is unusual in that it is open to the devotees only for a week every year. For the remainder of the year, the Goddess is left with a lit lamp, flowers, water and two bags of rice as offering until the next year. The nandaa deepa, (a ghee-lit lamp) burns for the entire durationof the temple closure, with the ghee never depleting. The anna naivedya (the rice offering) offered to the devi at the time of closing the temple is warm and unspoiled when the doors are opened again, a year later. It is a great temple in Hasana.

Once when the seven Maatrukes (Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vyshnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi) came floating to the South of India, they were taken aback by the beauty of Hassan and decided to make it their home forever. Maheshwari, Kaumari, and Vyshnavi took residence in the three anthills inside the temple; Brahmi in Kenchamma's Hosakote, while Indrani, Varahi and Chamundi chose the three wells in Devigere Honda.

The town Hassan was named after the presiding deity at the Hasanamba Temple. She is called Hasanamba as She is perceived to be ever smiling, bestowing all riches on her devotees.

While she is worshipped for being benevolent, she is also harsh to those who choose to harm her devotees. There is a belief that Amma Hasanamba turned a mother in law, who tortured Devi’s devotee the (daughter in law), in to a stone in front of her. It is believed it the stone moves an inch every year and when it reaches the lotus feet of hasanamba the period of kaliyuga will end.

Once four robbers attempted to rob jewels of Hasanamba and Devi turned them in to stones. And these four stones can be still seen in Kallappa Gudi.