Holy
Pilgrimage – Temples in Karnataka State
Koodli Temple, Karnataka
Koodli is a small town in Shimoga District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. Koodli is the place where two rivers, the Tunga River and Bhadra River, meet to give rise to the Tungabhadra River.
Significance
An exquisite view of the 'Sangama' makes the place exotic, with the 12th century Rameshvara Temple adding to its culture-rich natural beauty. There is also a popular Sri Chitamani Narasimha Swamy Temple beside the Sangameshwara temple. It believed to be installed and worshipped by Sri Prahlada. The rivers are worshipped and considered to be sacred.A small temple with nandi denotes the exact point where the two rivers meet, and is considered to be very sacred.
History
The Place has a historic value, with temples of near Hoysala time. There are shasanas carved near the temples that indicate the era when they were built. The exact dates are disputed, but the sculptures date back to age old Indian culture and look exotic. There are various temples - small and large ones built by the rulers who ruled this place in the age old era.The Mutt ( School )
There are two mutt in the Koodli. One is Shankara mutt (Advaita Philosophy) & another one is Akshobhya thirtha Mutt (Dvaita Philosophy).Shankara mutt
There is very old Indian style school of learning for Shankara philosophy, called the koodli mutt. This has a long history: ometime in 15th or 16th century, the chief swamy of shringeri had gone to a teerthayaatre, probably to kashi. He did not return for a long time, which caused the deputy chief to take up the chief's position. But the chief was alive and did return to Shringeri after a few days. But he of course could not go in to the matt where his own pupil was the chief, so he left shringeri and started his own matt at the sangama of tunga and bhadra, kudli, and this came to be known as kudli Shringeri matt. Now in the beginning of 1900s, a new swami took the position of the chief swamy here. He was formerly the teacher of his highness Krishnaraya Wodeyar the 4th, Maharaja of mysore. This brought good times to this matt again. Between the original founder and this person, few talnted persons had been chiefs here, which made this place keep up the standards. After independence, one particular person was very talented and influential, and made the mutt a noted place again.Koodli Arya Akshobhya Thirtha Mutt
It has stated by Sri Akshobhya Thirtha (one of
the prominent disciples of Sri Madhvacharya) around 13th or 14th Century. Sri
Mutt had very good scholar of Sanskrit &
Madhvacharya's philosophy as there Petadhipathies (Chief Swami) till to date.
Current Petadhipathi is H.H. Sri RaghuVijaya Thirta.
Transport
The Place is situated about 15 kilometres
away from Shimoga, and is accessible by road.
Kote Venkataramana Temple, Bangalore
Kote Venkataramana Temple is a Hindu temple in Krishnarajendra Road, Bangalore, India dedicated to the god Venkateshwara. The temple was built in 1689 A.D. in Dravidian and Vijayanagara style by King Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar, then ruler of Mysore.
Temple plan
The late 17th century Venkataramana temple is located near the old fort ("fort" is kote in Kannada language) adjacent to what was once the residence of Mysore Wodeyar royal family, and later became the palace of Tipu Sultan, a later ruler of the Mysore Kingdom. The temple consists of a sanctum (garbhagriha) which is connected to a central hall (mantapa) by a vestibule. The walls of the sanctum and vestibule (antechamber) are plain but for a row of deity sculptures in frieze at the base. On the whole the temple exudes modest decorative work and follows the general plan used in the temples with in the of palace complex in Mysore. The hall ceiling is supported by pillars that have "clusters of colonettes" alternating with yalis (mythical beasts from Hindu legend) in all four directions. This appears on each of the central columns The main festival celebrated here is Vaikuntha Ekadashi when thousands of devotees throng the temple. This temple provided the setting for the treasure hunt in the book Riddle of the Seventh StoneKotilingeshwara, Karnataka
Kotilingeshwara is the presiding deity of the temple of the same name in the village of Kammasandra in India. Kammasandra is a small village situated in Kolar district of Karnataka state. It is about five kilometers from Kolar Gold Fields and about 6 Kilometers from Aaladamara(Bharath nagar) Bus stop, near BEML nagar. This place has the distinction of having one of the largest Shivalinga in the world. Over 2 Lakh divotees visit the temple on Maha Shivratri every year.
Significance
The main attraction of this peaceful retreat, which is surrounded by plush greenery, is a huge Shivalinga. Measuring 108 ft (33 m), this shivalinga is tallest of its kind in the world and accompanying it is a 35 ft (11 m) tall Basava, surrounded by lakhs of small shivalingas spread over an area of 15 acres (61,000 m2). So far, around 90 lakh shivalingas have been installed. The entire project involves the installation of one crore shivalingas of various sizes, hence the name ‘Kotilingeshwara’Route Map: Bangalore >> Hoskote >> Kolar (bypass - Turn right at the railway gate) >> Bangarpet (Turn left after 5 kms) >> Kotilingeshwara >> Kolar (Bypass - same route back) >> Hoskote >> Bangalore
About the temple
The Lord Kotilingeshwara Temple is situated in Kammasandra Village in Kolar district, Karnataka State, India. The temple is about 6 km from Kolar Gold Fields also known as KGF. The main deity of this temple is Lord Kotilingeshwara. This Temple was constructed by Swamy Sambha Shiva Murthy which is open to public from early morning till 9.30 p.m.The temple boasts of having the largest Linga in Asia which stands 108 feet (33 m) tall.[citation needed] In front of this huge Linga there is a huge Nandi (Animal mount of Lord Shiva) which is 35 feet (11 m) tall. The Nandi is installed over a platform which is 60 feet (18 m) in length, 40 feet (12 m) in width and 4 feet (1.2 m) in height.
There are eleven small temples of various deities constructed within the premises of the Lord Kotilingeshwara temple. The first to be constructed is the Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara temple, followed by the main deity temple Lord Kotilingeshwara. The sequence of the other temples are Lord Venkataramani Swamy Temple, Goddess Annapoorneshwari Temple, Lord Panduranga Swamy Temple, Lord Panchamukha Ganapathy temple, Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita Temple, Lord Anjaneya Temple, Goddess Kannika Parameshwari Temple and finally Goddess Karumaari Amma Temple.
Inside the Goddess Kannika Parameswari temple, a Shiva Linga called "Shiva Panchayathi" is installed. The idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Kumaraswamy, Goddess Parvati and Nandi are arranged around the Linga, Giving an essence that all these Gods are offering their prayers to the Linga. A water tank is set up close to the Linga. The water is used by the devotees to offer their prayers by performing Abhisheka to the Linga with utmost devotion and faith.
There are millions of Lingas being installed surrounding the temple by the pilgrims since 1980 spread over an area of 13 acres (53,000 m2). There are more than 8.6 million Lingas installed as of 2008. The lingas installed vary between 1 foot (0.30 m) and 3 feet (0.91 m) tall.The temple was started with the intent of installing 1 crore lingas, hence the name "Kotilingeshwara". Koti means crore (10 million).
The temple has two NagaLinga Flower Trees or Cannon Ball Flower Trees. The unmarried women pray with devotion and faith to Lord Lingeswara wishing for a happy married life and tie a yellow thread around the Tree. One can see yellow threads covering the entire Tree.
The Karnataka government has declared this temple as a tourist spot so that devotees and pilgrims from all over the world can witness the 108-foot (33 m)-tall Linga and 35 tall Feet Nandi.
History of the Temple
In Threta Yuga, Ramayana one of the greatest ancient Sanskrit epics, depicts the battle between Lord Sri Rama (Incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Threta Yuga) and Demon King Ravana. It was a very long and deadly battle that took many lives away. While Lord Rama triumphed in his battle against evil, as a noble gesture of providing salvation to those who perished, He travelled to Rameswaram from Dhanuskodi and installed a Linga in the banks of the River. He offered prayers to the Linga and prayed for all the people who lost their lives in the battle.Similarly in Kali Yuga, in order to instill the culture of divinity, peace and prosperity Lord Kotilingeshwara temple was constructed over 13 acres (53,000 m2) of land in Kammasandra. The first Linga was installed in the year 1980 on October 10. Later the Sanctum for the main deity was constructed. From then on many more Lingas are being installed surrounding the temple.still date 90 lakhs lingas are there in the temple
Daily Pooja
Poojas are performed to all the installed lingas every day at 6:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. by 10 Priests along with Drums and Music. The Priests recite mantras and pour water on each and every installed linga.Special Pooja
Linga Installation : The Devotees can offer their prayers to Lord Kotilingeshwara by installing Lingas. The price for the Lingas depends on the size of the Linga to be installed. These informations will be available with the Executive Officer of the temple. The Lingas will be installed in the name of the devotee. One can find the names of the devotees carved on the Lingas installed and prayers will be offered every day for the well being of the donors.Facilities
Mantap or Rest House Facility
The temple authorities have constructed Mantap or Rest houses for the Pilgrims beside the temple premises. People who want to stay and visit the temple can rest at this Mantap free of cost.Annadhanam Facility
The temple has free midday meal facility or Annadhanam facility for all the devotees.This is being followed for the past 6 years.Free Cost marriages
The temple founder Swamy Sambha Shiva Murthy has performed free mass marriages for the past 4 years, in which 360 couple have benefited.Today the temple performs utmost 15 to 20 marriages for 4 days in a week. The temple collects a nominal fee of around Rs 200 for each marriage. They make all the arrangements including the Priest, Drums and Music for the marriages.Exhibition
A religious group called the Brahmakumari's have settled permanently near the temple premises. They have set up an exhibition with souvenirs and information about Lord Kotilingeshwara which is very useful to the tourists and Pilgrims.Meditation Hall
There is a meditation hall near the Exhibition hall which is specifically built for the pilgrims to wish to meditateKrauncha Giri, Karnataka
Krauncha Giri is believed to be the first abode of Subramanya in south India. It is located 10 km from Sandur in Bellary District of Karnataka.Unique feature of the mountain is its elliptical shape with a diametric narrow pass. According to legend, this gap is made when Kartikeya pierced the mountain in the battle with the demon Tharaka, with his sphere weapon vel to kill the demons who were hidden inside mountain. This legend is held in high esteem in Hindu mythologies including Mahabharata (salya parva.46), Skanda Purana(asura kandam). Krauncha Giri is also associated with legends of the sages Agastya and Parasuram.
Kalidasa in the work Megha Sandesa describes the gap in the mountain. This place is connected with legends of Sri Sailam jyotirlinga in Andhra Pradesh.
The name 'Krauncha Giri' is very familiar to many, but few know the location of this legendary mountain. For many, it's just a mythical one like Mount Meru.
Kumaraswami temple complex
Kumaraswami Temple is located on south-west corner and is connected to Sandur by road. The complex houses temples of Parvati and Kumaraswami. The Ganesha idol in the temple is interestingly more popular, these days than the main deity Kartikeya.According to one account, the Parvati temple (which was originally called Kumaraswamy temple) was built by the Badami Chalukyas (7th -8th century) and has the image of Parvati as the main deity. The temple currently called the Kumaraswamy temple (originally had Shanmukha as the main deity) was constructed during the rule of the Rashtrakutas (8th-10th century).[1] Both monuments are now a protected monuments. It was discovered by the local rulers, the Ghorpades, in the thickly-wooded Swamimalai hill in the 15th century.
Women were earlier strictly not allowed to enter the shrine. Murarirao Yeshwantrao Ghorpade lifted the ban on women in October 1996. After the ban was lifted, nearly 3,000 women have worshipped at the temple.
The Ghorpades, well loved and respected by the locals, had declared the temple open to Harijans as early as the 1930s. After learning of this on his visit to Sandur in 1934, Mahatma Gandhi said, "A small state in south India has opened the temple to the Harijans, the heavens have not fallen."
Swamimale forest range
This centuries old temple complex in located inside Swamimalai forest range and is said to be infested with venomous snakes like russell viper and spectacled cobras. Peacocks are also a very common sight here. The forest range is also a very good habitat of leopards.According to geologists, this peculiar mountain is made of volcanic eruptions and is very rich in mineral deposits. The soil and lake here is red marshy that owes to presence of rich ferrous deposits. Nowadays due to mindless mining in this area is resulting in habitat destruction.
Karnataka State highway No.40 pass through the above said gap in mountain, connecting Sandur to rest of the State. Temple is approachable by road from Sandur. Nearest Rail Heads are Hospet& Bellary on Guntakal-Hubli line.
Kudalasangama, Karnataka
Kudalasangama (also written as Kudala Sangama) (Kannada: ಕೂಡಲ ಸಂಗಮ) in India is an important center of pilgrimage for people of the Lingayat faith. It is located about 15 km (9 mi) from the Almatti Dam in Bagalkot district of Karnataka state. The Krishna and Malaprabha River rivers merge here and flow east towards Srisaila (another pilgrim center) in Andhra Pradesh. The Aikya Mantapa or the holy Samādhi of Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat faith along with Linga, which is believed to be self-born (Swayambhu), is here. The Kudala Sangama Development Board takes care of the maintenance and development.
Tourism
The main attractions in and around Kudala Sangama are- Sangamanatha Temple in Chalukya style
- Aikya linga of Basaveshwara
- Basava Dharma Peetha's Mahamane Campus
- Poojavana. The Poojavana with neat paths amidst trees, a mini forest.
- The colossal Sabha Bhavana. It is a spacious auditorium with a seating capacity for 6,000. The exquisite doorways on four sides named after Gangambike, Nilambike, Channabasavanna and Akka Nagamma, surround the huge grey dome in the centre.
- The tall Basava Gopura slated to house the Basava International Centre; the 200 ft (61 m) high symmetrical tower looks imposing.
- Museum: The ashrama meant for visitors to stay also has a museum and a collection of sculptures related to Basavanna and history of Karnataka state.
History
An inscription in the temple of 1213 A.D. records a gift to the god Acheshvara. Another stone record of 1160 A.D. refers to land grant to deities, Kaleshvara and Achesvara.It is believed that in the 12th century Jathaveda Muni Sarangamath had set up an education centre here and Basaveshvara, Channabasavanna and Akkanagamma were students. Basaveshvara spent his boyhood here and, after his return from Kalyana, he is said to have became one with the God at this place. The vachanas composed by him are dedicated to the presiding deity here, Sangamanatha.
Location and architecture
The place is a village about 19 km (12 mi) from Hungund. Close by is the holy pilgrim centre and the renowned temple of Sangameshvara, on the river bank, at the confluence of the Krishna and the Malaprabha rivers. Formerly it was known as Kappadi sangama where Basaveshwara’s teacher Ishanaguru lived.The temple consists of a porch, navaranga and the main shrine. The idols of Basaveshvara, Neelamma, Nandi and Ganapathi have been placed in the navaranga. The door frame of the garbhagriha is richly carved with floral designs and animal figures. In the shrine is the linga famed as Sangameshvara or Sangamanatha.
In front of the temple, in the midst of the river, is a small stone mantapa with a Shivalinga in it, and lofty cement concrete dry well has been built around it to protect it from submersion.
On the east, across the river Krishna, stands the Neelamma’s temple. She was the consort of Basaveshvara. Here also a high cement concrete dry well has been built around the structure to protect it from the waters.
Vishwaguru Basavanna
Lord Basava the great prophet and social reformer was born in Bagewadi (Basavana Bagewadi), a small village in Bijapur District, in North Karnataka, also called Ingaleshwara Bagewadi. Agrahara was an important place in town. The house of Madiraja the chief of the township was situated here. Basaveshwara was born to Madiraja and Madambike on third day of Vyshakha month of Anandanama year in Rohini star, according to the Hindu calendar. (The year coincides with 1134 A.D.) Basavanna was a great saint; he is considered Guru by some and some believe in him as an incarnation of Nandi, Lord Shiva's greatest devotee. A true visionary of his time and a revolutionary who started a new religion, Ligayatism (also known as Veershaivism), which literally means 'The brave followers of Shiva'. Basavanna's ultimate aim was to make this fundamental right available to each and everyone. Basavanna, keeping welfare as the ultimate aim, expedited programmes to take religion to the people by preaching and writing religious literature in Kannada. His samadhi is at Kudalasangama.
Kudroli Bhagavathi, Mangalore
The Kudroli Bhagavathi Temple is situated in a two acre scenic plot in the heart of Mangalore in Karnataka. It is close to Hampankatta.History
The temple is 800 years old. The four renovated temple complexes were built by Karnataka and Kerala artisans using black granite and wood carvings. Ancient single stone multistage granite carvings known as “Veerastambha” can be found in the temple. The famous “Shri Narayana Guru” statue is carved in white marble and situated in the entrance. The presiding deity of the Kudroli Bhagavathi Temple is “Shri Cheerumbha Bhagavathi”.The Arka Ganapathi Temple and the Venkataramana Temple are close by and have “Shri Padangara Bhagavathi” and "Pullurali Bhagavathi" as the presiding deities.
Festivals
The ‘Nadavali’ festival is held every year in March. Every seven years, the festival of “Bharani” is held, which lasts seven days. The Kaliyata festival is held once every 25 years. It is a combination of festivals held in 17 temples from Udupi in Karnataka to Kasaragod in Kerala. The next Kaliyata festival will be held in 2011.Annual Utsavas (Festivals) held at Shree Kshethra
- Nadavali Utsava- March
- Siyala Abisheka- May
- Karkataka Sankramana -July
- Simha(Sona) Sankaramana -August
- Navaratri Utsava September – October
- Bramhashree naryana Guru Jayanthi
Kukke Subramanya Temple, Subrahmanya, Karnataka
Kukke Subramanya (Tulu: ಕುಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣ್ಯ Kannada: ಕುಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣ್ಯ) is a Hindu temple located in the village of Subramanya in the Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada District near Mangalore, Karnataka, India. The temple is one of the pristine pilgrimage locations in India. Here Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as the lord of all serpents. The epics relate that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refuge under Lord Subrahmanya when threatened by Garuda.
Geography
Latitude 12.66 North and Longitude 75.61 East. The Kukke Subramanya Temple is located in the beautiful Western Ghats range of Karnataka. Overlooking the temple is the famous mountain of Kumara Parvatha, a popular hiking destination for trekkers from across South India. Kumara Parvatha forms a picture-perfect backdrop to the temple entrance and the Shesha Parvatha (a mountain shaped like a six-headed mythological serpent, adjacent to Kumara Parvatha) looks like a cobra with its open hood, as if protecting the temple shrine of Lord Subramanya. The temple is situated on the western slopes of the Ghats and is covered with dense evergreen forests.Temple
Pilgrims going to the temple have to cross the Kumaradhara River and take a holy dip in the river before entering the temple for their darshan holy viewing of the Lord.The devotees enter the courtyard from the doorway at the back, and circumambulate the deity. Between the sanctorum and the portico entrance, there is the Garuda pillar covered with silver. Devotees circumambulate this pillar. It is believed that this pillar was enchanted and planted there to shield devotees from the poisonous flames arising from the breath of Vasuki, who resides inside. Beyond the pillar is the outer hall, the inner hall, and then the sanctorum of Sri Subrahmanya. At the center of sanctorum is a pedestal. On the upper dais stands the deity of Sri Subrahmanya and the deity of Vasuki and, at a somewhat lower level, the deity of Shesha. Ritual worship is offered to these deities every day.The remple is slowly increasing in popularity, owing to its religious significance and importance.
Puja Activities
Ashlesha Bali Pooja & Sarpa Samskara are two important Sarpa Dosha Poojas are done at Kukke Subramanya Temple.Ashlesha Bali
Ashlesha Bali Puja or Aslesha Bali pooja is one of the important Kaalasarpa dosha pujas performed at Kukke Subramanya temple near Mangalore in Karnataka. Lord Subramanya is known as the protector from Kaalasarpa dosha and Kuja dosha. Kukke Sri Kshetra temple is the most popular for Sarpadosha puja. Aslesha Bali puja is performed on Aslesha nakshatra in each month. It is believed that if this puja is performed on other days it has no power.Aslesha Bali puja in Kukke Subramaya temple will be performed in two shifts – 7:00 am and 9.15 am. Those who want to perform this puja need to report for sankalpa with Purohita inside the temple either at 7:00 am or 9.15 am. After the completion of Homa Poornahuthi Puja, devotees will get prasadam. Devotees believe Shravana masa, Karthika masa, and Margashira masa are the most auspicious months to perform Aslesha bali puja at Kukke temple.
Sarpa Samskara / Sarpa Dosha
Sarpa Samskara / Sarpa Dosha is one of the poojas performed by devotees at this temple to get rid of the sarpa dosha (according to belief, a person, either in this birth or in any of his previous births, could be afflicted by the sarpa (serpent) dosha (curse) either knowingly or unknowingly, through many ways). Persons who are afflicted with this dosha are advised by astrologers / horoscope writers to perform this pooja for their own wellbeing. Pooja can be done either by the afflicted person himself if he is male and married, or through a priest. This is because the pooja involves rituals similar to those done while performing shrartham (funeral rites). Sarpa Samskara seva devotees are required to be present for two days. The seva is performed during the daytime, with no particular poojas in the evening. Food arrangements will be made for these devotees by the temple devasthanam, for up to four persons per seva.Due to the widespread belief in the snake god in Tulunad region of Karnataka and Kerala, this pooja is performed by people of all faiths.
Transportation
Kukke Subrahmanya can be reached by road from Mangalore and from Bangalore. KSRTC operates buses on a daily basis from these two places. The nearest airport is the Mangalore International Airport (Bajpe Airport), at a distance of 115 km. The nearest railway station is Subrahmanya Road (SBHR) Railway Station on Mangalore-Bangalore railway route, which is 7 km from Kukke Subrahmanya. There is a daily passenger train service from Mangalore (Train No. 0651/0652), which leaves Mangalore at 10:30 a.m. and reaches Subrahmanya Road Railway Station by 1:00 p.m. One can then catch local transport from the station for a 15-minute trip to the temple. Train services have been introduced between Bangalore and Mangalore that pass through Kukke Subrahmanya (train numbers: 6515/6516 and 6517/6518)Kuknur, Karnataka
Kuknoor (Kannada: ಕುಕನೂರು) is a small town in the Yalaburga Taluk of the Koppal District. is located about 40 km from Hospet and 7 km from Mahadeva Temple (Itagi), Kuknoor is renowned for its temples of the Rastrakutas and Chalukyas times, of these the Navalinga group of temples is famous.
History
Kuknoor (also known as Kukkanur or Kukanoor) town was an important place in the early and mediaeval days and is rich in antiquarian remains of the later Chalukya style of architecture and these buildings range from the 8th to the 13th century A.D. and illustrate the building tendencies of the age. The group of temples that represents the early Chalukya school is called Navalinga (Navalinga Temple). Two other important temples are those of Kalleshvara and Mallikarjuna.Kannada inscription
9th century old Kannada inscription of Rashtrakutas at Navalinga temple in Kuknoor, Karnataka.MahaMaya Temple
There is a MahaMaya Temple in the middle of the town. The temple has great historical value & is mentioned in the Indian Epic Mahabharata. There are 3 deities in the GarbhaGudi. Two female deities:-Laxmi & Parvathi/MahaMaya.One male Deity:-Harihara.Harihara means Half-Shiva and Half-Vishnu. All the 3 idols are south facing,which is a rare thing,as most idols in temples face the north.South facing deities are considered to be more powerful.The reference to this temple in Mahabharata suggests it was built before 8-9th century BC.There are rumours that there is a hidden underground temple below the current existing temple. The underground temple was dedicated to the Indian Goddess Kali. This is the same Kali temple where King Chandrahasa comes to in the Mahabharata story. As per the priest of the temple,there was Narbali(Human Sacrifice) done in the ancient times in the Kali Temple Underneath. That would make it one of the oldest continuously worshipped Kali temple's(which has a tradition of NarBali(Human Sacrifice) in India. There was Digbandhana(Kind of virtual security fence to contain evil spirits) done around the ancient Kali Temple & the temple was buried underground. There were plans to unearth this Kali temple 25 years ago,but,the plan was abandoned due to the insistence of the villagers as they were scared of unleashing the spirits buried there.
Gudneshwar(Rudramunishwar)Temple:It is located near Kuknoor,It is also one of the ancient temple belongs to Rishimuni (saint) Gudneshwar located in green belt of Tamarind(ilachi) trees.
Transport
Kuknoor is well connected by road to Koppal, Yelburga and Gadag. The nearest major airport is in Hubli.Long-distance bus routes
From Koppal one can travel to Bangalore, Hubli, Hyderabad, Bagalkot and other major cities. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs a bus service to other cities and villages. There are also various private bus services.Railways
Koppal is the nearest railway station to Kuknoor and Koppal lies on Hubli-Guntakal line.Kumara Swamy Devasthana, Bangalore
Kumara Swamy Devasthana, is a Hindu temple located in Hanumanthanagar, in the city of Bangalore, Karnataka, southern India. It is dedicated to Lord Kumara Swamy, also known as Lord Subrahmanya or Murugan.Lord Subrahmanya
There is a saying in Tamil "there is no God greater than Lord Subrahmanya". Lord Subrahmanya is also known as Skanda, Swaminatha, Guha or Kumara, and was born from the third eye, the ajna chakra, between the eyes of Lord Shiva. He is said to be the Parabrahman, the supreme God, or the one truth, of whom all the other Gods are different forms. It is also believed that Lord Shiva, who would remain alone at the end of the Maha Pralaya, would himself merge with Lord Subrahmanya, who is the ultimate truth. Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped for the begetting of children, success in war or employment, marriage, and, by being one with him, for knowledge of the ultimate truth.The temple
The temple is located on top of a gentle hill, known as Mount Joy, with walkways and stairs leading to the summit. The temple at the top of the hill is dedicated to Lord Kumara Swamy. Special prayers are performed during "Subbaraya (Subramanya) Shasti". At Kumara Swamy temple, the priests are of Telugu origin.Pancha-Mukhi Ganesha temple
At the foot of the hill is Pancha-Mukhi Ganesha temple. This modern temple has an idol of Lord Ganesha with 5 heads, hence the name Pancha-Muki Ganesha. Special poojas (prayers) are performed on Sankastha Chaturdesi, and temple is crowded on this day. Worship of Lord Ganesha is done according to the ancient Gaanapatyaa method. This temple is one of the few temples in Bangalore to follow this method of worship. On the opposite side of the temple, the sanctum for Navaraghas are located.Other features
Next to the Lord Kumara Swamy temple there is another small granite hill. On top of this, there is a large water tank built by BWSSB. It supplies potable water to the adjoining areas. On a clear day, wide views of Bangalore are available from the top of the hill.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
0 comments:
Post a Comment