Temple Description

Namada Chilume is a natural water source that sprung out from the surface of the rock. It is believed that Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana, stayed here during their exile in this forest. Rama searched for water to apply Tilaka(coronation) to his forehead. When he could not find any water, he shot an arrow at the rock. The arrow penetrated the rock, made a hole, and the water came out. Henceforth, this place was called Namada Chilume, meaning “Spring of Tilak”. The water comes out from a small hole throughout the year and never dries up.

Namada Chilume is a natural spring gushing out of a pit in rocky ground. This place is 5 kilometers away from Bhoga Narasimha temple and is a must-see spot. Legend has it that Sri Rama; the hero of the mythological story Ramayana needed water to apply forehead marks. Not finding any source of water nearby he created this spring. Even if the legends don’t inspire you, you still need to check out this place as the crystal clear waters of this small water hole are worth seeing.

Nearby there is a spotted deer park and twenty acres garden dedicated to medicinal plants. There are about 300 varieties of rare plants here. Plants to treat all types of diseases under the sun can be found here. Wounds, cuts, antidotes to poison and cures for common diseases of a man like a stomach, respiratory, bone disorders etc are grown here. The place is worth a visit. You can take a few ayurvedic plants back home as well. At the bottom of the hill, the road leading towards Tumkur is a spot called Namada Chilume (the meaning of chilume is spring). As per the mythology, Lord Rama on his route to Lanka stayed at this place. Since he didn’t locate water at this place to wet his “Nama” (a type of paste Hindus put on on their forehead), he shot an arrow into the earth, then spring sprang and therefore the name Namada chilume. The spring is still seen, plus there exists a foot impression of Lord Sri Rama near the spring