As
a part of the annual pilgrimage to holy places, “The Mylapore Trio”
Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna & Sugathan and few members started on
a tour by West Coast Express to important shrines in Karnataka on the
afforested Western Ghats. The holy trip was from 14th to 21st May 2017.
Starting from Mangalambika temple at Mangalore, worshiped Kateel Durgai, Udupi Sri Krishna (sang Krishna Ne Begane Bharo and had sacred food at the mutt, while Pejawar Swami suddenly and surprisingly gave us darshan) also we were immensely blessed to visit the Birth Place of Shri Madhwacharya known as Pejaka (the Propounder of Dvaita Philosophy). Important sites of his childhood were visited by us including the spot he was performed Aksharaabyasam… we also did the same on rice granules and visited the Holy Tank. Our next holy site was Gokarneshwar at Gokarnam (Ravana’s Aatmalinga is placed here) when Ravana tried to pull the Shivalinga, it looked like cow’s ear…. Hence, “Go Karnam”. Meanwhile linga broke into few pieces and fell in many places and one such was Murudeshwar, which was besieged with seaside beauty of the Arabian sea.
The next day after worshipping Lord Murudeeshawar, proceeded to revered Goddess Kollur Mukambikai along with thousands of devotees (Adhi Shankara venerated Her and placed Shrichakram) Chi. Sugathan worshipped the Goddess through his dance performance at the temple mantapa and Kum. Shakambari sang few songs on Ambal, which turned all the devotes towards them. Then we reached Sringeri had holy bath in the sacred Tungabadra river, worshipped Goddess Saradamba through slokams and songs. Blessed to have our food at the mutt in the night.
On Wednesday went to Horanadu Annapurani, then worshipped Manjunatha Swamy at Dharnmasthala amonst thousands of devotees. And reached Kukke and prayed Lord Subramanya and river Kumaradhara. (here Lord Subramanya is worshipped as a God of snakes and people throng to perform spiritual rites to propitiate Him)
Thursday morning we reached “Thala Cauveri” which was really unbelievable that we were right at the birth place of the sacred river Cauveri. Sage Agasthya penanced on Lord Shiva here under a pipal tree and a crow turned down his kamandalam and the holy water poured out of it… hence Kaakathal Virikappatathinaal Kaaveri… (the Cholas were known as the sons of Cauveri, since she was the Mother who prospered the entire Chola empire with her bountiful waters and made Thanjavur the granary of South India). We worshipped her with all emotions to prosper the Tamil country (nadanthai vaazhi Cauveri… naal engume sezhika nanmai ellam vilanga..) and with these prayers Sugathan performed Kumkuma archanai to her and also brought Cauveri Theertham. Evening visited the world famous Belur Chenna Kesava Temple and were amazed to see the sculptures carved in soap stone and halted at Hassan. On Friday we went to Halabeid and admired the Art wonder built by the Hoysalas in soapstone.
Later we reached Sravanabalagola and made our way through the hillock which was very steep and slippery, climbed 1000 and odd steps with the will power given by Lord Bahubali and finally had the darshan of Lord Gomateeswara in the form of Digambara – an awe inspiring darshan, never ever believed to be possible. He stands erect vaanatukkum bhoomikkum several hundred feet tall. (he is said to be the son of Rishabadev the first Theerthankara. Also the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta visited Sravanabelagola during the evening of his life and embraced Jainism) that night we were blessed by Lord Mahavira to have been so kind to provide us accommodation in the Jain Mutt with satvic food.
Melkote was a place something very special and significant to us… keeping Golu for Ramanujar at Srirangam (Thanana Thiruneni), his 1000th Birth Anniversary Golu at Sriperumbudur (Thamarugantha Thirumeni) and hence were immensely blessed to worship Him at Melkotai (Thamugantha Thirumeni). Since Saturday is auspicious for Perumal we made our mark at Melkote on that day. As there was huge crowd, we were waiting near the Perumal sannidhi for the curtain to take off, suddenly the temple Nadaswaram player came to Surendranath and told us to proceed to Ramanujar Sannidhi immediately for the “Vishvaroopa Darisanam”. We sat right in front of the Saint and witnessed the whole process of palli ezhuchi with Pasumaadu, Pasurams, archanai, aarathi etc. Kum. Shakambari sang songs in praise of Ramanujar and all of us joined her in chorus. Then we worshipped Thaayar and Cheluva Narayana Perumal and proceeded to Mysore.
On Sunday morning visited Chamundi Hills and worshipped the Goddess Chamundeshwari right earnestly (it was here that for our Sumukhi Amma, as a new born baby was performed ear boring ceremony eons back) admired the huge Nandi at Nandi Hills and left for Madras by Shatapdhi Express and reached home on time.
The entire holy tour was full of serenity, bhakthi, pleasantness and chill weather, peace and piety. It was an adventurous experience to see nature as raw as possible in its pristine purity. We also studied and admired hundreds of varieties of flora and fauna. We traveled amidst thick woods and jungles by wading our way through forest roads with hundreds of zigzag hairpin turnings. For days together we were on top of the mountains of Western Ghats going up and down, crossing several hills and plateaus, valleys and waterfalls, tea and coffee estates. Similarly we were also exposed to the beauty of the Arabian Sea, many backwaters and rivers, which were not dry, but with good flow of water.
On the other side, our team enjoyed in seeing the different cultures and peoples of Karnataka, the Thulus of Mangalore, the Coorgs at Thala Cauveri, the orthodox Cannerse at Udupi, the Keralite influence at Mookambikai, Konkanis at Gokarnam, Maharajas of Mysore etc. we also admired the art, architecture, lifestyle, food and clothing, customs and conventions of the culture rich Cannerse. The trip was a grand success altogether that was not only a spiritual one but also a study tour of sorts to learn and imbibe the richness of the heritage of Karnataka.
Starting from Mangalambika temple at Mangalore, worshiped Kateel Durgai, Udupi Sri Krishna (sang Krishna Ne Begane Bharo and had sacred food at the mutt, while Pejawar Swami suddenly and surprisingly gave us darshan) also we were immensely blessed to visit the Birth Place of Shri Madhwacharya known as Pejaka (the Propounder of Dvaita Philosophy). Important sites of his childhood were visited by us including the spot he was performed Aksharaabyasam… we also did the same on rice granules and visited the Holy Tank. Our next holy site was Gokarneshwar at Gokarnam (Ravana’s Aatmalinga is placed here) when Ravana tried to pull the Shivalinga, it looked like cow’s ear…. Hence, “Go Karnam”. Meanwhile linga broke into few pieces and fell in many places and one such was Murudeshwar, which was besieged with seaside beauty of the Arabian sea.
The next day after worshipping Lord Murudeeshawar, proceeded to revered Goddess Kollur Mukambikai along with thousands of devotees (Adhi Shankara venerated Her and placed Shrichakram) Chi. Sugathan worshipped the Goddess through his dance performance at the temple mantapa and Kum. Shakambari sang few songs on Ambal, which turned all the devotes towards them. Then we reached Sringeri had holy bath in the sacred Tungabadra river, worshipped Goddess Saradamba through slokams and songs. Blessed to have our food at the mutt in the night.
On Wednesday went to Horanadu Annapurani, then worshipped Manjunatha Swamy at Dharnmasthala amonst thousands of devotees. And reached Kukke and prayed Lord Subramanya and river Kumaradhara. (here Lord Subramanya is worshipped as a God of snakes and people throng to perform spiritual rites to propitiate Him)
Thursday morning we reached “Thala Cauveri” which was really unbelievable that we were right at the birth place of the sacred river Cauveri. Sage Agasthya penanced on Lord Shiva here under a pipal tree and a crow turned down his kamandalam and the holy water poured out of it… hence Kaakathal Virikappatathinaal Kaaveri… (the Cholas were known as the sons of Cauveri, since she was the Mother who prospered the entire Chola empire with her bountiful waters and made Thanjavur the granary of South India). We worshipped her with all emotions to prosper the Tamil country (nadanthai vaazhi Cauveri… naal engume sezhika nanmai ellam vilanga..) and with these prayers Sugathan performed Kumkuma archanai to her and also brought Cauveri Theertham. Evening visited the world famous Belur Chenna Kesava Temple and were amazed to see the sculptures carved in soap stone and halted at Hassan. On Friday we went to Halabeid and admired the Art wonder built by the Hoysalas in soapstone.
Later we reached Sravanabalagola and made our way through the hillock which was very steep and slippery, climbed 1000 and odd steps with the will power given by Lord Bahubali and finally had the darshan of Lord Gomateeswara in the form of Digambara – an awe inspiring darshan, never ever believed to be possible. He stands erect vaanatukkum bhoomikkum several hundred feet tall. (he is said to be the son of Rishabadev the first Theerthankara. Also the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta visited Sravanabelagola during the evening of his life and embraced Jainism) that night we were blessed by Lord Mahavira to have been so kind to provide us accommodation in the Jain Mutt with satvic food.
Melkote was a place something very special and significant to us… keeping Golu for Ramanujar at Srirangam (Thanana Thiruneni), his 1000th Birth Anniversary Golu at Sriperumbudur (Thamarugantha Thirumeni) and hence were immensely blessed to worship Him at Melkotai (Thamugantha Thirumeni). Since Saturday is auspicious for Perumal we made our mark at Melkote on that day. As there was huge crowd, we were waiting near the Perumal sannidhi for the curtain to take off, suddenly the temple Nadaswaram player came to Surendranath and told us to proceed to Ramanujar Sannidhi immediately for the “Vishvaroopa Darisanam”. We sat right in front of the Saint and witnessed the whole process of palli ezhuchi with Pasumaadu, Pasurams, archanai, aarathi etc. Kum. Shakambari sang songs in praise of Ramanujar and all of us joined her in chorus. Then we worshipped Thaayar and Cheluva Narayana Perumal and proceeded to Mysore.
On Sunday morning visited Chamundi Hills and worshipped the Goddess Chamundeshwari right earnestly (it was here that for our Sumukhi Amma, as a new born baby was performed ear boring ceremony eons back) admired the huge Nandi at Nandi Hills and left for Madras by Shatapdhi Express and reached home on time.
The entire holy tour was full of serenity, bhakthi, pleasantness and chill weather, peace and piety. It was an adventurous experience to see nature as raw as possible in its pristine purity. We also studied and admired hundreds of varieties of flora and fauna. We traveled amidst thick woods and jungles by wading our way through forest roads with hundreds of zigzag hairpin turnings. For days together we were on top of the mountains of Western Ghats going up and down, crossing several hills and plateaus, valleys and waterfalls, tea and coffee estates. Similarly we were also exposed to the beauty of the Arabian Sea, many backwaters and rivers, which were not dry, but with good flow of water.
On the other side, our team enjoyed in seeing the different cultures and peoples of Karnataka, the Thulus of Mangalore, the Coorgs at Thala Cauveri, the orthodox Cannerse at Udupi, the Keralite influence at Mookambikai, Konkanis at Gokarnam, Maharajas of Mysore etc. we also admired the art, architecture, lifestyle, food and clothing, customs and conventions of the culture rich Cannerse. The trip was a grand success altogether that was not only a spiritual one but also a study tour of sorts to learn and imbibe the richness of the heritage of Karnataka.
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