Hi,
Welcome back, just now I returned from a refreshing and exhillerating religious tour to Varadahalli, Sigandhur, Sringeri & Koppa.
Me and Krishna left Bangalore on 18th evening by Sleeper bus, landed in Sagara by 6am next day, caught the auto, and headed straight to Varadahalli. The auto fellow demanded 10/- more, usually it was 60/- or 70/- this time he pulled out 80/- from me. We straight away finished our morning duty and headed to the pond for a bath, me first and later Krishna. He was facinated at seeing the beauty of the place. By 7.30 we had finished and we climbed up the 100+ steps up the hillock to the samadhi of Sri Sridhara swamiji. On my earlier visit to this place, in October, it was raining nonstop, and pretty cool. This time, around, though it wasnt hot, it was pleasant. We sat in medidation for a while, when the bell rang for the morning breakfast.
We scrammed to the hall, and had a good break of the powa with butter milk, knowing well, that the day ahead would be hectic.
With full of thanks for the Swamiji, we caught the first bus to sagara - 9.15, reached the bus stop by 9.50, and found out that the bus to Sigandhur was by 10.30. Though a weekday, the rush was much, less of children and more of adults, though a vacation. The journey took about one and quarter hour, when we reached the ferry, the bus was parked in the ferry and started the journey to Sigandhur - Chowdeshwari. The ferry travel is about 30min and again we got into the bus for another 15min of journey.
Devi blessed us with her grandeous self, we were among the first to reach the sanctum santorium, a excellent darshan, and left promptly to catch be bus, which was waiting to leave by 1.15, we never waited for food, knowing well, that the journey was toomuch. By 3.20pm, we reached Sagara again, but now Krishna was hungry. so we had to reach a hotel for lunch, knowing fully well that the only direct bus to Sringeri was waiting for us. By the time we came back at 3.40, the bus was gone. The earliest bus was at 4.00pm to Tirthahalli, another journey of 2.30mins, by 6.30, we managed to reach Tirthahalli, (being totally new to this area, and accompanined by my 8years old son, it was a real challenge), had a cup of water and inquired about our next destination. The driver of the bus we came was real kind, and had guided us properly, that we go towards Koppa and then try catch the bus to Uttameshwara. The journey of about 26kms, took more than 45minutes, and we just managed to reach Koppa(Indian Bank stop) by almost 8.00, the conducter also got down from the bus and guided us how to catch the next bus going towards Uttameshwara.
Pl note, the last bus from Koppa towards Uttameshwara is by 7.45, and no help later. It was only providence on our side, that even as we crossed the road, we saw the right bus. The jounrey is around 15kms, and at that hour and place, it looked like eternity. B.G.Katte is a very small village enroute to sringeri and for buses going towards Balehonnur and Chikkamagalur. And only 5-6buses go in this route on any given day. Uttameshwara is another 2km walk from the stop, and may be there are two buses a day, passing that way.
We had kept calling Sri Manjunath Bhat, the son of Sri Gopala Bhat right from tirthahalli, and he was very helpful in coming and picking us up from the Bus stop. You being a stranger, need real guts to travel in the thick of the forest at that hour. Gods great, we reached Uttameshwara and were welcomed by Sri Gopala Bhat at the temple, where he was to perform the Rudra homa the next day. Our jounrey had come to an end at 8.45, we freshenedup, had our dinner and slipped into the lap of deep sleep.
The next two days we were fortunate to be visited by Sri Sri Sachhidananda saraswati swamiji of Hariharpura Shankara Sharada Lakshminarsimha mutt and Sri Sri Bharati Teertha Swamiji the Shankaracharya of Sringeri mutt, who came down to attend the Maha Rudra homa conducted by Sri Gopala Bhat.
Uttameshwara is a Dwaparayuga temple, consecrated by Sage Agastya, along with another Shiva temple Lokeshwara and the Vishnu temple Ankeshwara all in a single night. Its very vibrant with the power of lord Shiva, goddess Durga and lord Ganesha. Legend has it that Rukmini tayaar was worshiping devi Durga, here daily, and lord Sri Krishna eloped with her from this very place. Sishupala's kingdom Kondinipura(now kondebailu) is very near.
This place is about 20min drive from Sringeri town enroute Koppa, and can be reached by hired autos or own conveyance. Very few buses ply on this route, and the nearest shop is about 2km.
The serene atmosphere prompts any one to sit for a minute of meditation while the cool breeze soothes the soul. Far from commercialisation, peace is abundant.
The temple is being maintained by a local bramhin family, of which Sri.Sripathi Bhat and Smt.Poornima Bhat are the fourth generation. The kind couple, are very hospitable and hardworking. He has spent all his life, in the service of the powerful lord here. All his lifetime savings, thats more than 20lakhs he has spent on renovation of the temple and building a decent choultry, with a couple of rooms and other amenities. The special day here is Magha shuddha trutiya.
The water is extremely sweet, and for a weary traveller, its a paradise.
If you happen to be any where near Sringeri/Koppa, this place is worth a visit.
Sri Sripathibhat can be contacted on 08265 235063.
Friends, temples are our treasure, we need to preserve them for our future generations. Lets try our best to preserve and develop our tresure troves, but request, NEVER make them commercial.
Anandh
9480550325
pl visit rrnews.v23.in - religion page - for the photos of Maharudra Yaga, conducted by Sri Gopala Bhat
