For majority of us who know stories from hindu mythology and sanskrit dramas, Sage Kanva, is the foster father of Shakuntala. But for the well initiated, he is also an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu.
And there is a temple on the Bangalore - Mysore highway where locals believe he still prays or so his presence is felt.
And now the actual whereabouts - Near channapatna (Around 60kms from Bangalore) is a remote village called Doddamallur that houses Navaneetha Krishnan or Ambegal Krishnan. If once has not heard of this temple, it's bound to be missed and so did I, umpteen number of times that I went cutting across the highway. Got to know recently that is one of the DivyaDesam's and so the popularity of the temple is gradually increasing with the increasing attention (Thanks to the TV Channels).
The main deity is Aprameya while there is also an idol of baby crawling krishna with butter in his hand which has been installed by Sage Vyasa and prayed to by many including Kanva Rishi. And hence the name. Legend has it that Kanva Rishi prayed here and found a baby whom he named as Shakuntala,. On a typical day, once can see quite a few birds (sparrows to be specific - the birds that protected Shakuntala, Kanva's daugther) near the Garbagriha/Sanctum Sanctorum. Even today, it is believed that any one who sincerely prays here for a child will be blessed with one. The number of people who visit with their toddlers is a testimony to this fact.
Few more facts about the temple: Vishnu Sahasranama refers to Aprameya as one of the 1000 names of lord Vishnu and this is the temple with the main deity as Aprameya. Lord Rama has also prayed Vishnu at this very temple. This is also one of the 108 vishnu temples - divyadesams as fondly listed by Vaishnavites.
Will add few photos in couple of days - but in short if you are looking for a temple which welcomes you with peace, serenity and divinity you should visit this. It will be a memory that you will cherish.
