Those who commute from North Bengaluru to MG Road and its neighbourhoods, usually take the Maramma Circle route, to avoid the traffic that piles up near Mekhri Circle.
The Maramma Circle is also en route to Malleswaram, for North Bengaluru residents.
It is hard to miss if you live in these parts of the city. The name comes from the Maramma temple, which is located on one side of the circle, opposite the Maharani College.
The temple, that welcomes visitors with the sculptures of deities, largely of the Devi (feminine, creative energy of the universe) in her various forms, is a landmark. Among the sculptures that stand out, are those of Durga, astride the lion; the Ardhanareeshwar, a representation of the balance of the material and the spiritual, the masculine and the feminine, in the universe; and of Shiva, receiving alms from Annapurna Devi, who makes her husband realise the folly of believing that either the material, or the spiritual is greater than the other.
The small temple, which is almost always packed, is considered to be among the most popular in the city.
Those who pass by the temple, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays, and on new moon days, would know that there is often a slight traffic congestion there owing to the number of vehicles at the parking premises, that pretty much occupies its side of the circle.
Tuesdays, and Fridays are considered to be auspicious to the Goddesses Maramma, the presiding deity; Gangamma, a sister deity, (both of whom are widely worshipped in Karnataka); and Durga, all representing the sacred feminine, who are the three main deities worshipped in the temple.
“The number of vehicles is owing to the belief that bringing in a new vehicle to be blessed at the temple, will protect it, and its occupants from accidents,” says one of the volunteers who takes care of administrative duties at the temple and its office.
“That is one of the specialities of this temple. People come to have their vehicles blessed every week, especially on new moon days. A lot of people also come with the families to seek blessings for medical ailments. Another major speciality of the temple is that we receive and welcome visitors from across faiths.”
Visitors at the Maramma temple need not buy any tickets, for the archana , a customary practise in many Indian temples. They need not even bring the traditional archana offerings of a banana, coconut, and flowers, the temple provides them for you, should you need them. The temple, emphasizes the volunteer, does not take money from devotees.
“This has been a place of worship for over 100 years, though the actual temple was built only around 1948, by Narasappa. It is his family that runs the temple.”
It is the family that has kept up the accessibility, he says, adding that the temple also offers free meals every day, especially in the afternoons, as part of the prasada . “We also have a kind of medical camp in the premises every Friday,” adds the volunteer. Pilgrims and visitors often donate the produce required to make the meals.
Whether you opt for the delicious temple food, go into seek blessings, or simply want to visit one of the oldest temples in the city, it is definitely worth a visit to the iconic Bengaluru temple, that silently resounds with the prayers and the faith of the lakhs of worshippers that have visited over the century.
The Circle Maramma temple is usually open from 7 am to 11 30 am in the mornings, and from 4 pm to 8 pm, in the evenings.
It is open longer on Tuesdays, and Fridays.
