Thirty-five friends of Sri Prasanna Veeranjaneya Yoga Kendra, Mahalakshmipuram, Bengaluru took a tour to historic shrines/temples and Mango Orchards in Kolar District. Highlights of this one-day Trip were:
1. Visit to Avani Betta dedicated to Sitamaata: (situated about 100 Km from Bengaluru). We climbed scenic and series of natural boulder blends. In this 2-hour-4 KM trek, we climbed 660 steps and saw gigantic rock formation, caves and tight and large stone-cracks. This hill (known as “Gaya of the South”) is deeply intertwined with Hindu mythology. It is believed to be the site where the events from Ramayana epics occurred. According to legend,
- this hill was the abode of the sage Valmiki, the revered author of the Ramayana;
- Sitamaatha gave birth to her twins, Lava and Kusha,
- Sita performed the Ashwamedha Yagna. During the trek, we saw Sri Sita Parvati Temple, a small yet significant shrine that adds a spiritual layer to your journey. Another intriguing aspect of Avani Betta is its connection to the Lava-Kusha legend.
We saw on Avani Betta (most of the idols on the hill were in the form of Linga)
- Pancha Pandavara Devaalaya
- Sri Valmeeki Ashrama – where the mud inside the cave is considered to be sacred and having medical properties
- Thaayee Mane (House where one’s mother resides)
- Lava-Kusha Temple
- The Sacred Pond – created when Lord Rama left Sita at the Valmeeki Ashama pierced the ground through his arrow to create a water spring for Sita
- Marking of horse hoof (sole) on a boulder – a reference to Ashwamedha battleground where Lava and Kusha captured the sacrificial horse.
- Agni Theertha – where water oozed out to protect Seethamaata when she jumps on the fire to prove herself pure.
- Seetha Temple atop Avani Betta
2. The Virupakshi Temple in Mulbagal : The Virupakshi Temple in Mulbagal: This ancient temple (about 700 year-old) is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha (Lord Shiva). Virupakshi Temple is the one of the few temples that has athma linga installed and is widely known for changing colour of the linga present here. A few of us could visit this Temple.
3. Visit to 5,000 years old Sri Anjaneya Temple in Mulgagal: Here 12-foot Lord Hanuman carved in black granite (said to have been installed by Arjuna) is standing majestically holding Saugandhika flower. A 3-foot long lizard is carved with gold-plated cover on the wall the Temple. We also saw Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Venkatshwara idols.
4. Visit to Garuda Temple in Koladevi near Mulbagal : A unique temple where Lord Garuda is the main Deity. The shrine is four-armed and carries both Lord Vishnu an Goddess Mahalakshmi on his hands. Legend states Arjuna installed this idol to free himself from Sarpa Dosha. We also visited “Uttaramukhi” Sri Anjaneya Swamy Deity.
5. Visit to ancient Kurudumle Ganesha Temple (believed to be over 5,000 years old): This is one of the most sacred Mahaganapathy Temples in India. This place of worship is a powerful spiritual hub where faith, devotion and divine energy merge. The massive and auspicious 13.5-foot idol is made of Saligrama (found in Gandaki River in Nepal).
6. Sri Nandagokula Ashrama: We visited Shiva Temples in this Ashrama situated R Thimmasandra near Srinivasapura in about 1.5 acre area, amidst mango grove. We had lunch in this sacred Ashrama, thanks to sumptuous food arranged by our Yoga friend Sri Kiran. Post lunch we met Head of the Ashrama Sri Sri Sri Sudheer Chaitanya. Swamiji was kind enough to give audience and in is religious discourse he gave us the gist of 3rd Chapter of Bhagavadgita. He said one must perform his/her duties selflessly without expectation and one has to conquer 6 inner enemies (Arishadvarga) for mental purification. After taking blessings from the Swamiji we left the Ashrama with sense of satisfaction.
7 Visit to Mango Orchards at Srinivasapura: It was a free-for-all to pluck mangoes in this 3-acre orchard owned and maintained by our Yoga friend Sri Kiran Kumar. Apart from plucking some 100 Kgs of Mangoes, we also plucked snake guards in the yard.
8. Visit to Mango Mandi/Market at Srinivasapura. Srinivasapura boosts as “Largest mango-producing sub-district in Asia” with 65,000 acres of mango cultivation area. The Taluk is the only place on earth where 63 distinct varieties of mangoes are cultivated From one of the wholesalers, we purchased and distributed amongst us 150 kgs of ‘Mallika’, ‘Rasapuri’ and ‘Kalapahad’ varieties.
We are grateful to Sri Kiran Kumar, our yoga-friend who initiated this trip. He along with and his relatives, Sri Rajesh, Smt Chandana, Sri Shivu and Sri Babu took care of all 35 of us, affectionately treated with tasty breakfast and lunch, and guided us to visit temples and Sri Nandagokula Ashrama.
We all enjoyed this exploratory-cum-religious trip right from commencement at 5.15 morning till 10.45 when we returned to Bengaluru.
Please see our website link below for pictures taken during the tour:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vaqq9g9bqZ7xnaPH8
