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A transformative seven-day journey of seeking blessings and immersing in spiritual repose through Karnataka's sacred temples.
Experience the profound spirituality of Karnataka's renowned temples in this seven-day pilgrimage, discovering architectural marvels, embracing devotion, and finding inner peace amidst divine grace.
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We landed in Bengaluru on a warm afternoon in October. After stretching our legs for a bit at the hotel, we were prepared for the spiritual journey that lay ahead. We visited the renowned Bull Temple, also known as the Dodda Basavana Gudi. Built under the Vijayanagara Empire, the temple reflects the architectural style of the era and houses a fifteen-foot tall statue of Lord Shiva's 'vahana' or vehicle, Nandi, the bull. The sight of the colossal statue carved out of a granite monolith evoked a sense of reverence in us. We offered our prayers and soaked in the divine ambience.
The next day, we hit the road on a scenic drive to the Chamundeshwari Temple, about 13 kilometres from Mysuru – a city renowned for its regal charm and spiritual significance. The temple perched atop a hill is dedicated to Chamundi or Durga – the fierce form of Shakti and slayer of demons Chanda, Munda and Mahishasur. There are motorable roads from both the Mysuru and Nanjangud sides on which state transport buses ply. We enjoyed panoramic views of Mysuru from the top, from where we could spot many prominent structures and offered our prayers to the deity of the Maharajas of Mysuru.
Our next stop was in the relatively quiet town of Subramanya in Dakshina Kannada district. The Kukke Subramanya Temple here is dedicated to Lord Subramanya or Kartikeya, the lord of serpents. Mythology has it that the divine snake Vasuki and other serpents found refuge under Lord Subramanya when Garuda threatened them. This temple holds immense significance for devotees seeking blessings for the removal of obstacles and protection from malefic planets. Before entering the temple, we took a holy dip in the Kumaradhara River, according to the temple's protocol. We entered the courtyard from the rear doorway and circumambulated the presiding deity, followed by the Garuda pillar. The spiritual atmosphere drove us into a trance as we surrendered ourselves to the chants and rituals and found solace in the divine embrace.
We moved on next to the coastal gem Mangaluru. We visited the Mangaladevi Temple here, which is dedicated to the Goddess Shakti in the form of Mangaladevi. The temple is said to have been built during the tenure of the Alupa dynasty in the 9th century, with most of its structure made out of wood. The rhythmic sounds of the sea waves crashing against the shores intermingled with the chanting of prayers at the temple, creating a harmonic symphony as we worshipped.
Moving to Udupi, we visited the Sri Krishna Matha. Founded by the Vaishnavite saint Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya in the 13th century, the Matha houses perhaps the only west-facing vigraha or idol of Lord Sri Krishna. We got a darshan of the deity through the two windows – the inner one called the Navagruha Kindi and the outer one called the Kanakana Kindi. The ornate architecture and the divine aura of the deity awakened a profound sense of spirituality in us.
Our onward journey in our spiritual quest took us to Sringeri, home to the revered Sringeri Sharada Peetham. Founded by Adi Shankaracharya and situated on the banks of the Tunga River in the Chikmagalur district, this historic matha or monastic institution is dedicated to Goddess Sharada, the goddess of learning. After our worship, we visited the library maintained by the Peetham and perused some ancient Vedic manuscripts and spent the day listening to the wise sermons of Acharyas amidst Vedic chants that echoed through the matha.
At the foothills of Kodachari hills along the banks of the Souparnika River in Kollur, Udupi District, the captivating Kollur Moombika temple is dedicated to the Goddess Moombika Devi. Moombika is the union of Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati with Adipara Sahkthi and Parabramha. The temple holds immense significance for devotees seeking blessings and protection. As we stepped into the temple, the divine feminine energy filled our hearts with reverence and devotion. The ancient rituals, the fragrance of flowers, and the fervent prayers created an ambience of transcendence. We offered our prayers, sought the blessings of the goddess, and departed with a heart full of gratitude.
Leaving Kollur behind, we made our way to the Murudeshwar Temple. The Kanduka Hill on which this temple sits, surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides, makes it an idyllic locale. The towering statue of Lord Shiva, known to be the third tallest Shiva statue in the world, stands majestically against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea and is a sight to behold! As we stood in awe of this magnificent creation, the crashing waves created a rhythmic orchestra of background music, adding to the fervent experience. We offered our prayers and felt a connection with the divine.
The last destination on our itinerary was the coastal town of Gokarna in Uttara Kanada District, which is known for its pristine beaches and spiritual aura. At the heart of Gokarna lies the Mahabaleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This 4th century temple built in Dravidain style facing the the Arabian Sea, exudes a sense of divinity and peace. It houses the pranalinga or ‘the reality of God which captures the mind.’ It is said that Lord Shiva bestows immense blessing upon anyone who catches even a glimpse of the Pranalinga like we did, as the rhythmic chants and the sound of temple bells resonated through the temple corridors and transporting us virtually to another realm!
Our seven-day pilgrimage through Karnataka was a profound experience that nurtured our souls. From the serene temples of Mysuru and the mystical charm of Kukke Subrahmanya to the coastal wonders of Mangaluru, Udupi, Gokarna, and beyond, this spiritual odyssey gave us solace and peace. My folks were physically tired but spiritually energised by the end of our tour. Karnataka's temples allowed me to take a spiritual journey with my parents and connect with them and their divinity.
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