|
Pilgrim
Places
Karnataka's
pilgrim Centres are excellent examples of its rich cultural
heritage and attract thousands of devotees all through the
year. This has been a school of thought for many Philosophers
and Philosophies
|
|
Dharmastala
145
kms from Kundapur, situated on the banks of river Nethravathi
and surrounded by the lush green forests and hills of Malnad,
Dharmasthala is known for it's beautiful surroundings and
Sri Manjunathaswamy Temple. In Dharmasthala, charity is a
way of life, extended to all without discrimination. Sri Dharmasthala
which is one of the sacred places in South India and is a
famous pilgrim centre. It is situated in the village of Dharmasthala,
in Beltangady Taluk of South Kanara district about 75 kms
from Mangalore.
Dharmasthala
symbolizes the true essence of religion and stands out as
an oasis of peace and harmony. Here, one can witness a happy
confluence of three faiths co-existing in complete harmony.
While the presiding deity is Lord Shiva, the priests who conduct
the daily rituals are Vaishnavaite Brahmins and the Dharmadhikari
of the temple is a devout Jain. Thus religious tolerance and
a spirit of oneness, which are the prominent characteristics
of the Indian cultural heritage, has become the hallmark of
Dharmasthala.
Recently
in 1980?s one more Gomateshwara has been installed by Hegde
Of Dharmastala. Ranjala Gopala Shenoy was the artist for this
sculpture. Gomateshwara monolith was made in Karkala.
|
Dharmastala
|
| |
|
Moodabidri
Savirakambada Basadi (Thousand Pillar Temple) built in 1462
AD-Basadi of 1000 pillars, famous for its stone sculpture. Mahadwar,
Bhairadevi, Chitradevi, Namaskaara, Teerthankara and Garbhagruha
are the 8 Mantapas here. The idol (8 ft high) of Chandranatha
is established in the garbha gruha. Supaarshwa and Chandraprabha
Theerthankara idols are worth visiting. Navanaari kuinjara,
a sculptural art piece that appears like an Elephant but nine
dancers, are seen in the figure, is the famous art in this Basadi.
|
Moodabidri
|
| |
|
Karkala
KARKALA GOMATESHWARA: This 52 ft. high Bahubali statue is on
the Gommata Betta. He is called Gommateswara- great Gigantic
and majestic Ishwara, standing nude, turning his mind away from
worldly affairs. It was built in 1432 by Pandya Raja. Yearly
celebrations are in February and once in 12 years "Mahamastakabhisheka"
is celebrated. Be here to see how wonderful it will be to see
the bathing ceremony of Gomateshwara.
|
Karkala
|
| |
|
Murudeshwara
This picturesque place is situated 16 Kms from Bhatkal. Bounded
by the shimmering sea and rolling hills, this place is a favourite
tourist spot. It is known for the gorgeous temple perched on
a hillock by the shore. The temple which embodies a Linga is
believed to have erupted when Ravana flung the cloth covering
the Atmalinga at Gokarna while lifting it. As one ascends the
hillock, there is a shrine of Jattiga seated on a horse. There
is a huge fort behind the temple, said to have been renovated
by Tippu. The place can be visited all the year round. Murdeshwara
is 386 Kms from Bangalore/ 151 Kms from Karwar. It can be approached
by road and rail from Bangalore and by road from Karwar.
|
Murudeshwara
|
| |
|
Udupi
Udupi
is a divine shrine in the coastal region of Western Ghats. Situated
about 381 Kms from Bangalore and 60 Kms from Mangalore, it is
a fairly large and upcoming town that was sanctum of Madhvacharya,
the great Sanskrit Philosopher. The famous temple here, has
a fascinating idol of Lord Krishna that is richly adorned with
jewels. It is the center for education, social and religious
activities in the district of South Canara. It is known for
the famous Sri Krishna temple. The reasons for its fame are
the statue of Sri Krishna installed by the great saint Sri Madhvacharya
and the penance and influence of Sri Vaadiraja yathivarenya.
Another attraction of this temple is the 'Kanakana Kindi' -a
small window through which Krishna is believed to have given
darshan to his ardent devotee, Kanakadasa. There are three temples
in Udupi; Chandreshwara, Anantheshwara and Sri Krishna temple.
Chandreshwara and Anatheshwara are the most ancient temples
of Udupi.
|
|
| |
|
Sringeri
Sringeri was discovered by Sri Sankaracharya as a place where
even natural animosities did not exist, as he saw a frog in
labour protected from the scorching rays of the sun by a raised
hood of a cobra. He installed at that place the Goddess of learning,
Sri Sharada.He also established a Matha for the propagation
of Advaita philosophy, and his first sishya Sri Suresvaracharya
was made the head of the Matha. From then onwards, Sringeri
has become famous as a center of learning, philosophy and sublime
spirituality. It is one of the holy places of India and it attracts
many pilgrims. |
|
| |
|
Kollur
Situated 417 Kms from Bangalore 135 Kms from Mangalore, Kollur
has the famous Mookambika Temple at the foot of the Western
Ghats. This attractive Mookambika temple with gold plated crest
and copper roofs attracts thousands of devotees. This is a well
known temple in Kundapur taluq of Karnataka visited by pilgrims
from all over India.
Kollur
is one of the seven pilgrimages which were created by Parashurama.
It is is situated at the banks of the never drying river Sauparnika.
While the other pilgrimages created by Parashurama are devoted
to Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya and Lord Ganesha, this is the
only one devoted to goddess Parvathi.
|
|
| |
|
Horanadu
Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple is an ancient and revered shrine
located in the picturesque surroundings of Horanadu in the state
of Karnataka. Horanadu is 387 Kms from Bangalore and 100 Kms
south-west of Chikmagalur. On an average around 5000 devotees
are said to visit the Devi temple every day located in the midst
of thick forests and valleys.
Deity
in the Annapoorneshwari Temple is said to have been installed
by renowned Sage Agastya. The sanctum was renovated in recent
years by a learned astrologer, Venkitasubba Jois. With the
installation of the new image of Adi Shakti, now the temple
is called Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shri Annapoorneshwari. Deity of
the temple has been designed in unique manner. The single
image depicts the Devi standing on a peeta with Devi Gayatri,
Sri Chakra, Shanku and Chakra in Her four hands. The recently
renovated sanctum of the temple is surrounded by Adi Sesha.
While the Padma Peeta is formed by Ashtagaja, Koorma and others.
|
|
| |
|
Banavasi
Capital
of the Kadamba Kings who established the first Kannada Empire
in c. 345AD, Banavasi town (22 km. from Sirsi) is the site of
an annual cultural festival - Kadambotsava held in December.
The Madhukeshwara Temple, is famed for its architecture, deriving
its name from the honey colored Linga. Of special interest is
the intricately carved stone cot, which was actually used by
the kings. |
|
| |
|
Venoor
Bahubali
The
small town of Venoor, situated about 69 km from Mangalore, 30
kms from Dharmasthala is famous for the Gomateshwara statue
installed in 1605 by an Anjila prince,Veera Thimanna Aiila IV.
Moodabidri, which is close to Venoor is described as "Jaina
Kashi" and is known for its 18 basadis, the most famous
of them being "Savira Kambada Basadi" (thousand pillar
basadi).
Venoor celebrated the mahamastabhisheka of Lord Bahubali gomateshwara
from February 11 to February 18 of year 2000. This was The first
mahamastakabhishekha of the millennium held during February,
in a non-descript town in Dakshina Kannada, which was a stronghold
of the Jains in the 16th century. The Venoor mahamastabhisheka
occurred after a gap of 44 years, the last one being in 1956.
Mastabhishekha is the anointing ceremony of Lord Bahubali’s
gomateshwara, held once in 12 years. There are only four gomateshwaras
and all are located in Karnataka. The tallest one being in Sravanbelagola,
followed by Karkala, Venoor and Dharmasthala
|
|
| |
|
Inam
Dattatreya Peetha
Situated on the Baba Budangiri range is the Inam Dattatreya
Peetha, a shrine venerated by Hindus and Muslims alike. The
range is also called Chandra Drona Parvatha as it resembles
a crescent. Located just 28 kms. north of Chikmagalur town and
24 kms. from Kemmangundi, Baba Budangiri (1895 mts) takes its
name from the Muslim saint Baba Budan who resided here and is
credited to have brought the first seven coffee seeds into the
region after a visit to Yemen. A laterite cave here is believed
to have been sanctified by the residence of Dattatreya Swami
as well as Hazrath Dada Hayath Mir Kalandar. The worship here
is conducted by a fakir and the annual jatra or urus is attended
by both Hindus and Muslims with great fervour. |
|
| |
|
Kukke
Subramanya
Kukke Subramanya is on the bank of river Dhara. According to
Hindu Mythology Lord Kumaraswamy came to this place after killing
the demon rulers Taraka, Shoorapadmasura and others in a war;
and Lord washed his Shakti Ayudha (a battle-axe in the shape
of a bayonet) in this river. From this onwards the river is
famous as Kumaradhara. After his battle with the demons Lord
Kumaraswamy came to the top of Kumara Parvatha along with his
brothers Lord Ganesha, Veerabahu and other aides. He was received
by Lord Indra along with other Gods; pleased by the success
of the war Indra prayed the Lord to be kind enough to marry
his daughter Devasena. This was agreed upon courteously and
the marriage took place on the banks of Kumaradhara on 'Margashira
Shudda Shashti'. Lord Kumaraswamy also gave darshan to Vasuki
the head of nagas, who was making a penance here. Vasuki prayed
to the Lord to stay along with him permanently at this place
and the Lord with the boon.
From that time it is believed that the Lord has made his spiritual
presence in this shrine along with his wife Devasena and Vasuki.
Every year a famous car festival is being held here on 'Margashira
Shuddha Shashti' with special poojas to the Lord. |
|
| |
|
Banashankari
Temple
The famous Banashankari Temple is located at Cholachigud about
50 kilometers from Badami - the historic capital of Chalukyas.
Here Banashankari or Shakambari is the form of Goddess Parvati,
the consort of Lord Shiva. The Banashankari Temple is quite
old. Its original structure is said to have been built by the
Chalukyas of Kalyan. However, the existing temple was built
in the 17th century. The temple has a marked Dravidian style
of architecture.
Banashankari
Temple has significant mythological relevance also. According
to the Skanda Purana it was here that Devi killed a demon
called Durgamasura. As the temple is located in the Tilakaaranya
forest, the Devi is popularly called Banashankari or Vanashankari
where 'Van' or 'Ban' means forest. Banashankari Devi is also
said to be worshiped by mighty Chalukyas as Kuladevi.
Idol
of Goddess Banashankari is of Blackstone. Here the Goddess
can be seen seated on lion and trampling a demon by foot.
The Goddess has eight arms holding trishul-damaruga, kapaalpatra,
ghanta, veda scripts and khadg-kheta. The temple has been
considerably modernized in the present times. In front of
the temple is a large pond called as 'Haridra Tirtha' a corrupt
form of Harishchandra Tirtha.
|
|
| |
|
Nanjangud
This small town situated on the Banks of River Kapila, one of
the tributaries of River Cauvery. Temple of Sri Nanjundeshwara
is the main attraction here. It is built in Dravidian style
and is supported by 147 columns. The car festival by the end
of March is very famous.
|
|
| |
|
Chamundi
Hills
A well- known high landmark, Chamundi Hills can be viewed from
all corners of the Mysore City. Chamundi Hills canbr reached
by road(13 Kms from the city) or by 17th Century 1000 and odd
steps from the foot of Chamundi Hills. Atop the hill is theAdobe
of Goddess Chamundedshwari, an incranation of Godess Durga,
which is 12th Century Temple.Halfway upthe Chamundi Hills is
the Nandi, Big Bull, a majestic 4.8 meters monolith sculpture.
Near the temple you get to see gigantic statue of Demon Mahishasura.
If you are driving by yourself, you could pullover the viewpoints
provided by the Forest Department to see the panoramic view
of Mysore City.This Temple is open from 6 a.m to 9 p.m.
|
|
| |
|
Srirangapatna
This town is 125 Kms from Bangalore has many attractions from
the past history. The fort built by Sri Kanteerava Ranadheer
Wodeyar houses the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple and a Mosque.
This fort is on bank of the River Cauvery. Apart from the fort,
you could visit Daria Daulat Bagh built in 1784 also known as
Tippu's Summer Palace.The summer palace is made of teak and
this structure is Indo Sarcenis Style having ornamental &
beautiful ferocious. Presently Daria Daulat Bagh is converted
to a museum housing the objects used by Tippu Sultan and his
losing Battle against the British. Further to Daria Daulat Bagh
you can reach Gumbaz, Tippu's Tomb with splendid ebony doors
inlaid with ivory. Further to Gumbaz is Sangam Place very sacred
for Hindus. At Sangam tributaries of river Cauvery converge.
While returning from Sangam, a deviation is required to visit
the scenic Goshai Ghat. Another sacred place in the vicinity
is Godess Nimishamba Devi Temple. Every Tuesday & Friday
people throng to get the blessing. This temple is on bank of
the River Cauvery providing an atmosphere suitable for picnics. |
|
| |
|
Talacauvery
Set amidst the picturesque Brahmagiri Hills is the source of
the Cauvery river with the Talacauvery Temple built around it.
On Tulasankramana day (October 17th) thousands of pilgrims flock
to the river’s birthplace to witness the miraculous rise
of the fountainhead, when water gushes up from the spring at
a predetermined moment. Steps lead from the spring to the summit
of the hill, commanding superb views. |
|
| |
|
Talakad
This is ancient town, situated on the left bank of the River
Cauvery, 185 Kms from Bangalore or 24 Kms from Shivanasamudram.
Here are Sri Kirtinarayana, Sri Kartikeya, Sri Vaideeswara,
Sri Pataleswara and Sri Maraleswara temples. Many monuments
lie buried in the sand. Panchalinga darshanam is held once in
12 years coinciding with existence of some stars.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
