I visited the Sri Venugopal Temple in Manipal in the evening, when the campus was slowly beginning to settle down after a busy day. The temple itself stood quietly, surrounded by clean open lawns and pathways, creating an immediate sense of peace as I walked in. Inside, the sanctum looked beautiful. The idol of Lord Venugopal, draped in bright orange silk with a silver crown and ornaments, looked divine and graceful. The peacock feather in the crown caught my attention instantly, as did the fresh tulsi and jasmine garlands that added both colour and fragrance. A tricolour backdrop framed the idol, making it appear even more vibrant and majestic.
The interior was calm at that hour, with brass lamps arranged neatly along the walls, waiting to be lit for the evening aarti. The atmosphere was still, with only the soft echo of bells and the murmur of a few devotees sitting quietly. I sat for a while, letting the silence and the sacred presence of the deity wash over me.
As I stepped out, the charm of the temple’s surroundings added to the experience. Right in front of the temple is a large water fountain. In the evening, as the lights begin to glow, the fountain comes alive with colourful displays, adding a gentle sparkle to the calm setting. Children play around, families sit by, and students often gather here just to relax. Watching the fountain light up against the backdrop of the temple was a simple yet heartwarming sight.
What stayed with me most was not just the beauty of the temple, but the overall ambience—the combination of devotion, quietness, and a touch of liveliness from the fountain outside. For students living on campus, the Venugopal Temple feels like a comforting corner, a place to step away from the stress of classes and find balance. Unlike larger, busier temples, this one carries a sense of intimacy and belonging. It is a reminder that spirituality can be gentle and personal, and that sometimes peace comes from the...
Read moreVenugopal temple is aesthetically pleasing and has a distinctive architectural style.The atmosphere here is serene and conducive to meditation. The temple is located within the MIT campus, so visitors may need to park their vehicles outside and walk for approximately 200 meters. A copy of the Bhagavad Gita is placed inside the temple. Gods here include Krishna,Hanuman,Ganapathi,Naga, Ashwatha Tree,Tulasi & Navagraha.Lots of people gather here for Krishna Janmashtami and celebration is made.Also every year bappa is kept inside the temple during Chauti festival.
The history of the temple is said to be dated back 50years ago, formed during early 70's by MAHE academy when there was no proper transportation facilities during that time to travel Udupi to seek blessings of Lord Krishna,they decided to build a temple here of Lord Krishna.However they wanted students of every religions to gather. Hence they planned to build a Dome-like structure which represents the architecture of the mosque,Spire a tall pillar like structure representing Christians and a hindu god.As per the source the idol was actually bought from Mangalore and worshipped by a person named Venugopal who hails from Mangalore hindu family hence his name was kept for charity made. Gradually other shrines of Hanuman, ganapati were built later.In 90s Puttaparthi Sai baba inaugurated the Navagraha.Later on park was built as an attraction for devotees to rest there and have...
Read moreManipal has quite a few temples. The Venugopal temple is in the MIT campus and has a very beautiful idol of Shri Krishna as Venu Gopala. The temple complex also has other small idols of Shri Kshipraprasad Ganapati and Hanuman. The temple features a unique blend of architectural styles, including a dome and tower that symbolize religious harmony. It was built in the 1970s or 1980s by the MIT College Department of Architecture.The main deity is Lord Krishna, known as Venugopala, who is depicted holding a flute and standing with a cow., the temple is an ideal place for quiet reflection and meditation, especially in the evenings. The temple is surrounded by beautiful, well-maintained gardens and lush greenery.Across from the temple is a park featuring water fountains, making it an attractive spot for a stroll.The temple is generally open from early morning to late evening, including...
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