Temple architecture is the most famous form of architecture in India. Our age-old temples showcase the glorious past, immense talent possessed by our ancestors and the divine patronage & faith that our erstwhile rulers had towards the almighty. Wodeyars, who ruled Mysuru for the longest time, have built six temples inside the Palace premises which are now centres of attraction.
Lakshmi Ramana Swamy Temple
Lakshmi Ramana Swamy Temple is not just a famous temple but also the oldest in the city of Mysore. Lakshmi Ramana means the beloved of Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity in this temple. Interestingly, the temple is said to have been the venue for the coronation of HH Krishna Raja Wodeyar III.
Shveta Varahaswamy Temple
According to the Archaeological Survey of India, the Shveta Varahaswamy temple was constructed in the Hoysala style. The temple is known for its ornate door jamb, pillars and the murals that depict scenes from the Hindu epics and adorn the inner walls of the mantapa.
Trinayaneshvara Swamy Temple
The Trinayaneshvara Swamy temple is said to have been built before the reign of Raja Wodeyar. It was originally located outside the palace fort grounds and became a part of the Palace when the empire extended its area around the palace. Of importance in the temple are the crawling image of the child god Krishna, forty bronze images of Hindu deities and saints, and the murals of the 19th century.
Kodi Someshwara Temple
Sri Kodi Someswara Swamy Temple is a 2,500 year-old temple which is located at the corner of Jayamarthanda Gate inside the palace. The shrine is deeply associated with the founding of Yadu dynasty, to which the Wodeyers, the erstwhile rulers of Mysore belonged. This was the spot where the Founders of Mysore Kingdom, Yaduraya and Krishnaraya were met by the Royal Priest which led to the founding of the Mysore Kingdom. The little shrine houses an idol of Bhairav which is less than a metre high.
Kille Venkataramana Swamy Temple
There was a time when the Mughals used to win continuously over the Wodeyar kingdom. Legend says that this temple was built during those difficult times. Maharani Lakshmammanni, Queen of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II, had a dream about God Venkataramana who instructed her to bring his image from a temple at nearby Balmuri and install it in the Palace grounds. In return, the Wodeyar family would become free to rule Mysore again. In 1799, after the death of Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, the British reinstated the Wodeyar family on the Mysore throne.
There are many other temples like Bhuvaneshwari Temple, Kodi Bhairava Temple, Gayathri Temple and Prasanna Krishnaswamy inside the Palace premises. Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple depicts the connection between the Wodeyars and the Yadu race. Outside the palace, there is Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Kote Mahaganapathi Temple which are also of great significance.
ASI Monuments:
Among all these temples, Shveta Varahaswamy Temple, Kodi Bhairava Temple, Lakshmi Ramana Swamy Temple, Trinayaneshwara Temple, Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temples have been identified by Archaeological Survery of India as heritage monuments.