Betrayaswamy Denkanikottai
Vaishnavite Temples, Krishnagiri District
God
Sreedevi, Bhoodevi samedha Vettayadiya Piran
Goddess
Soundaravalli Nachiyar, facing east
Other Deities
Rukmani Satyabama samedha Venugopal, Rama, Lakshmana, Seetha, Alwars, Mahalakshmi, Kanva Maharishi, Aththiri Maharishi, Udaiyavar, Pillai Lokaach-chaa (Ulaka Achiriyar) and Manavaala Maamunikal, Anjaneyar
Betrayaswamy Denkanikottai is more than 1000 year. It is east facing with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and a large temple tank in the front.
Holy water (Theertham) – Temple Tank
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Padhiri (Stereospermum chelonoides), Ilandhai (Zizyphus jujuba)
History
Betrayaswamy Denkanikottai is more than 1000 year. The decedents of ‘Inanyaa Chaariyaar’ who came from Karnataka’s Mandya district maintain the temple and are the Darmakarthaas of this temple. When Gajini Muhamad and other islamic warriors came to this area, the main deity was hidden in a cloth and was taken deep into the forest to hide from them. After the end of the rule of islamic warriors, the statue was brought back. This great service was done by one Venkatapathy Das and even today his descendant’s serve the temple.
Legend
A demon called Devagandan troubling Sage Athiri was cursed by him to remain in the form of a tiger. Upon regretting he was told by the sage that the day Lord Vishnu breaks his head with his Mace (Dengini) the curse will lift. The demon in the form of the tiger, forgetting his past, continued his rampage and later Lord Venkatesa of Tirupati was called by Sage Kanva to help get rid of this menace. The lord came as a hunter fought and broke the head of the demon tiger with his ‘Dengini’. The demon emerged out and fell at the lord’s feet requesting him to stay on in this place at Betrayaswamy Denkanikottai. Thus Denkanikottai and the temple came into being.
Directions
Betrayaswamy Denkanikottai is about 27 Kilometers from Hosur. From Krishnagiri you can reach Denkanikottai via Rayakottai or via Shulagiri, both vary between 65 to 70 kilometers. The temple is in the Palacode road and easily accessible.
Stay and Food
Not much locally except a few tea shops
