Sri Lakshmi Chandrala Parameshwari Temple is located in Sannati, in Chittapur Taluk of Kalaburagi district. The temple stands on Chandrala Hill near the banks of the sacred Bhima River. Sannati is an important pilgrimage center known for its spiritual importance as well as historical and archaeological significance.
The temple is considered an ancient shrine dating back to the 6th–7th century CE and is associated with the period of the Chalukyas of Badami. Over centuries, the temple underwent renovations while preserving its original sanctity. It is widely regarded as the original and most ancient seat of Chandralamba worship, and devotees have been visiting this sacred place for generations.
The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Lakshmi Chandrala Parameshwari, worshipped as a powerful form of Divine Mother combining the energies of Lakshmi and supreme Shakti. The idol is depicted holding Shankha and Chakra, symbolizing protection and prosperity. The Goddess is revered as Kuladevi by many families across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana. Devotees believe that sincere prayers offered to the Goddess bring prosperity, protection, and harmony in family life.
The temple reflects early Chalukyan architectural style with traditional stone construction. The sanctum is situated on an elevated hill known as Chandrala Parvata, giving the temple a commanding spiritual presence. The structure includes a simple yet powerful garbhagriha and mandapa areas typical of ancient Shakti temples. Though renovations have taken place over time, the traditional layout and sacred ambiance have been preserved, maintaining the temple’s ancient character.
Sannati has been an important religious center since ancient times, and the temple of Sri Chandrala Parameshwari gained prominence as devotees from various regions began worshipping the Goddess as their family deity. The temple continued to be a major spiritual center for centuries. During restoration work in the 1980s, significant archaeological discoveries, including ancient inscriptions and Ashokan inscriptions, were found in the region, highlighting the historical importance of Sannati. These discoveries brought further attention to the temple and its surroundings.
According to temple tradition, a devoted woman named Chandravati, also known as Chandravadani, lived near the sacred Bhima River and worshipped the Divine Mother with great devotion. A local ruler named Setu Raya was impressed by her devotion and attempted to forcibly take her into his custody. Distressed and helpless, Chandravati prayed intensely to the Divine Mother for protection. Moved by her sincere devotion, Goddess Chandrala Parameshwari manifested her divine power and sent her sacred Padukas. From these divine Padukas, five powerful black bees emerged and attacked the arrogant king and his soldiers, creating fear and chaos. The king attempted to escape but was ultimately destroyed near the Bhima River.
Through this divine intervention, the devotee was protected, and evil was eliminated. After this miraculous event, the hill where the divine presence was experienced became sacred and came to be known as Chandrala Parvata. Devotees began worshipping the Goddess at this very spot, which later became the present temple at Sannati. Another belief states that great sages, including Sage Markandeya, performed penance in this region, adding to its spiritual importance. Devotees believe that worshipping the Goddess here removes fear, resolves family problems, and grants prosperity and well-being.
Navaratri is celebrated in a grand manner at the temple with special alankaras and rituals for nine days, attracting large numbers of devotees. Dasara is also observed with devotion and traditional ceremonies. The annual Jatre is an important event when devotees from Karnataka and neighboring states gather in large numbers. Special pujas are performed during the Ashada month, and Fridays are considered highly auspicious for Devi worship. Pournami days are also marked by special rituals and offerings, making the temple vibrant with spiritual activity throughout the year.
