Karnataka’s Unique ‘Nai Devasthana’ Temple: Where Dogs are Revered as Deities

Karnataka, lies a remarkable temple that celebrates the unique bond between humans and dogs. Known as the ‘Nai Devasthana’ Temple or the ‘Dog Temple,’ this place of worship in Agrahara Valagerahalli village is not just a symbol of reverence for canines but also a testament to their significance in Hinduism.

Folklore dictates that dogs guard the realms of heaven and hell and are closely linked with Hindu incarnations like ‘Bhairava,’ ‘Yama,’ and ‘Muthappan.’ The temple’s origins are intriguing – during the renovation of the Veeramasti Kempamma Devi Temple in Agrahara Valagerahalli, two stray dogs mysteriously appeared and watched over the construction. After completing the renovations, the dogs vanished, prompting the villagers to search for them in vain.

In a dream, Kempamma Devi instructed a villager to find and protect the dogs. Failing to locate them, the villagers decided to construct a temple in their honor. Funded by a local businessman named Ramesh, a marble temple was built adjacent to the Kempamma Devi Temple, where the two dogs are worshipped as guardians against evil forces.

Poojas are conducted on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays, with offerings of fruits and flowers. During the temple festival in August, a goat sacrifice is performed, and the meat is distributed among the local dogs. The temple attracts visitors from neighboring villages, including dog lovers who bring their pets. People visit to name their dogs and seek blessings for their well-being.

Similar temples honoring dogs exist in Uttar Pradesh, where a dog’s tomb is worshipped in Bulandshahr, and another dog’s tomb near Ghaziabad is revered within the Bhairava temple premises. In Revan village, 65km from Jhansi, the main deity is a female dog queen, while the Kurkurdev Temple in Khapri village, Chhattisgarh, also venerates a dog. Dogs are also held in high regard at the Parassinikavu Muthappan Temple in Kerala.