Chokkanathaswamy Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 20:30

Established

10

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Ancient standing black Saligrama stone vigraha of Lord Chokka Perumal holding Shankha, Chakra, and Varada hasta

Religious tradition

Vedic Sri Vaishnava Pancharatra Agamic Tradition

Sanskrit name

श्री चोक्कनाथस्वामी मन्दिर

Also known as

Domlur Chokkanatha Temple, Chola Perumal Temple Domlur, Tombalur Chokkaraya Temple

Darshan hours

Daily

06:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 05:30 PM - 08:30 PM

Break timings

12:00 PM - 05:30 PM

Special days

Vaikunta Ekadashi, Krishna Janmashtami: 05:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Festival timings

Open till 10:00 PM on Vaikunta Ekadashi

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

07:00 AM

Midday aarti

11:45 AM

Evening aarti

06:30 PM

Night aarti

8:15 PM

Special aarti days

Saturdays, Ekadashi, Fridays for Perundevi Thayar

Ritual schedule

Suprabhatam, Thiruvaradhana, Thulasi Archana, Sahasranamarchana, Mangalarati by Sri Vaishnava Bhattars

Pooja timings

06:30 AM - 11:30 AM, 05:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Abhishek timings

07:00 AM - 08:30 AM (Special Saturday Abhishekam)

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

No

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Chola Dynasty (patronized by Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I; expanded by Hoysalas)

Architect / builder

Master traditional Chola stone guilds of Tamil Nadu and southern Karnataka

Construction materials

Solid dressed dark granite stone blocks, carved pillars, brick-lime vimana

Historical events

Ancient administrative hub of the Cholas in the upper Kaveri/Ponnaiyar basin; multiple inscriptions record land grants of "Tombalur"

Renovations

Renovated and protected under Karnataka State Muzrai (Endowments) Department

Archaeological importance

Crucial epigraphical monument providing direct historical evidence of Chola administration in Bengaluru

Legends

Traditional belief: The name "Chokka" in Tamil means pure and beautiful; Lord Vishnu manifested here to bestow purity and grace upon his devotees

Inscriptions

Prominent Tamil inscriptions in Grantha-Tamil script on the temple basement recording royal donations by Kulothunga Chola I and Hoysala King Ballala III

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

10th - 13th Century CE

Structure

Walled urban stone temple complex with garbhagriha, ardhamandapa, pillared navaranga, and detached Thayar shrine

Floors

1

Gopuram

Stepped Dravidian stone Vimana shikhara rising above the sanctum

Mandapa

Pillared Navaranga hall supported by heavy circular and square monolithic granite pillars

Sculptural features

Ancient stone icon of Lord Chokkanathaswamy with Goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi; separate shrine of Perundevi Thayar; carved stone Garuda

Artistic elements

Pillar reliefs of cosmic avatars, circular Chola ceiling medallions, and epigraphical panels

Construction technique

Interlocking dry-stone granite block masonry of durable Chola execution

Unique features

Remarkable collection of 11th-century Tamil inscriptions etched on the exterior basement walls of the sanctum

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, Shravana Krishna Ashtami

Special celebration days

Every Saturday, Shukla Ekadashi, Fridays for Thayar

Cultural events

Devotional bhajans and Carnatic music recitals during festival days

Annual events

November to January

Peak crowd season

November to January

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

20-30 vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.