Please Download Our Android App to Continue Editing

The last Maharaja of Mysore, Sri Jayachamaraja Wodeyar was an ardent devotee of Sri Gayathri Devi. He named his eldest daughter (b.1946) after the Goddess. In 1951 he initiated the construction of the Sri Gayathri Devi temple within the Mysore palace fort. The legendary sculptor Shilpa Siddanthi Sri Siddalingaswamy who had worked on many sculptures at the Palace entrusted his protege Sri B.Basavanna to work on the temple sculptures. The resulting awe-inspiring architecture and sculptures are a testament to Sri B. Basavanna's amazing skill, Sri Siddalingaswamy's immense experience, and Sri Jayachamaraja Wodeyar's devotion.

Sri Gayathri Devi is depicted with five faces (Panchamukhi) representing the Pancha pranas -Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana and Samana. These pranas consist of the Pancha tatwas namely Prithvi, Jala, Vayu, Agni and Aakasha (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky). Sri Gayathri Devi protects these five life-forces (pranas) of those who chant the Gayathri Mantra. The three forms of Sri Gayathri Devi namely Sri Savithri, Sri Gayathri and Sri Saraswathi are depicted in the form of detailed sculptures at the temple.

On either side of the Garbhagriha, there are sculptures of Dwarapalikes (door guardians). In the Sabha mantapa (meeting hall), are sculptures of Gods Rudra and Ganapati on the right side, Surya and Vishnu on the left side. All are installed in Devakoshta. The sides of the koshta are decorated with Makara yali. On the parapet, sculptures of goddesses Gayathri, Savithri and Saraswathi are present on three sides. These are also placed in Devakoshta with kalasha on the top. The temple gopura consists of about 48 sculptures related to Hindu epics. The superstructure of the temple is built in stone and the parapet is built with brick and lime mortar.

Goddess Gayathri Devi has five heads and ten arms (five on each side). The right arms hold (top to bottom) Padma (lotus), Chakra (disc), Pasha (rope), Ankusha (spear) and Abhaya Hasta (protection). The left arms hold Padma (lotus), Shankha (conch), Kapala (skull), Shakthyayudha (sword) and Varada Hasta (boon). The goddess is seated on Kamalasane (lotus).