Pampapati Temple, Kampli, Bellary, Karnataka

Pampapati Temple, Kampli, Bellary, Karnataka

Pampapati Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at the outskirts of Kampli Town in Bellary District of Karnataka, India. Presiding Deity is called as Pampapati / Virupaksheeswarar and Mother is called as Kembambal. The Temple is situated on the banks of Tungabhadra River. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is also considered as Avathara and Mukthi Sthalam of Nesa Nayanar. Kampli is famous for Vijayanagar Era Temples.

Legends

Nesa Nayanar, also known as Sivanesa Nayanar, Nesanar, Nesar and Nesan, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifty-ninth in the list of 63 Nayanmars. Nesa Nayanar is described to be a weaver, who was always engrossed in remembering his patron god Shiva and gifting clothes he knit to devotees of the deity. The life of Nesa Nayanar is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanmars. Sekkizhar devotes five stanzas describing the life of the Nayanar saint.

Nesa Nayanar was born in Kampili (Kambili). Kambili is now situated in Bellary district of the Indian state of Karnataka. Nesa Nayanar is said to have been born in Kampili, but shifted to Koorai Nadu in modern-day Mayiladuthurai, now situated in state of Tamil Nadu. Nesa Nayanar was a Saliyar, a member of the Saliya caste. His family as well as Nesa Nayanar practised the traditional occupation of weaving. He was a devout devotee of Shiva, the patron god of Shaivism. His mind is said to always be concentrated on Shiva.

Nesa Nayanar used to continuously chant the Panchakshara mantra in honour of Shiva. He wove clothes, cut-pieces as well as Kowpeenams (loin-cloth). Though he was not wealthy, Nesa Nayanar used to generously donate clothes to devotees of Shiva. His deeds resulted in the favour of Shiva. By his grace, Nesa Nayanar reached Kailash, the abode of the god after death.

One of the most prominent Nayanmars, Sundarar (8th century) venerates Nesa Nayanar in the Thiruthondar Thogai, a hymn to Nayanar saints. Nesa Nayanar is worshipped specially in the Tamil month of Panguni, when the moon enters the Rohini nakshatra (lunar mansion). Weavers of Koorai Nadu in Mayiladuthurai especially worship him on this day. A temple in Koorai Nadu is said to have images of Shiva's sons Ganesha and Kartikeya, which were brought by Nesa Nayanar to the place.

In depictions as part as of the Nayanmars, Nesa Nayanar is depicted with folded hands. In individual depictions of his life, the Nayanar is depicted distributing garments to devotees of Shiva or as engrossed in weaving. He receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanmars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in procession in festivals.

Festivals

Nesa Nayanar Guru Pooja is conducted on Rohini Nakshatra Day in Tamil Month of Panguni.

Literary Mention

The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6^th Thirumurai in 70^th Patikam in 2^nd Song.

ஆரூர்மூ லத்தானம் ஆனைக் காவும்

ஆக்கூரில் தான்தோன்றி மாடம் ஆவூர்

பேரூர் பிரமபுரம் பேரா வூரும்

பெருந்துறை காம்பீலி பிடவூர் பேணுங்

கூரார் குறுக்கைவீ ரட்டா னமுங்

கோட்டூர் குடமூக்கு கோழம் பமுங்

காரார் கழுக்குன்றுங் கானப் பேருங்

கயிலாய நாதனையே காண லாமே

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Gangavathi, 26 Kms from Hampi, 31 Kms from Kurugodu, 33 Kms from Hosapete, 34 Kms from Hosapete Junction Railway Station, 49 Kms from Jindal Vijayanagar Airport, 50 Kms from Siruguppa, 54 Kms from Ballari, 178 Kms from Hubballi Airport and 363 Kms from Bengaluru. Kampli is well connected by road to Gangavati, Hosapete, Siruguppa, Kurugodu and Bellary. North East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) runs a bus service to other cities and villages. There are also various private bus services.

Location