Coastal Karnataka

Coastal Karnataka_5

Idagunji - Kukke Subrahmanya Temple - Sringeri Sharada Peetham

Idagunji Ganesh Temple

Idagunji is a village in Honnavara taluk, Uttar Kannada district, which has the famous Vinayaka temple. The temple is the main attraction at Idagunji, receiving more than 1 million devotees per year. Uttara Kannada district is a place with many religious Hindu temples, which includes famous temples like, Shree Vinayaka and Mahabaleshwara temple in Gokarna, Shree Vinayaka Devasthana at Idagunji and Lord Shiva temple at Murudeshwara. All these temples are ancient with a history of more than 1500 years.
Honnavara is a coastal town within Uttara Kannada district. It lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea and on the banks of the river Sharavathi. The town is famous for its scenic natural beauty with beautiful beaches and breathtaking landscapes.
Idagunji Devasthana (temple) is about 15 kms from Honnavara. Buses, mini vans and tempos operate frequently from Honnavara to Idagunji temple.

Kukke Subrahmanya Temple

Kukke Subrahmanya Temple Lapped in the luxurious abundance of the beauty of the nature the village of Subramanya lies in the Sullia Taluk in south Kanara with a sancity which very few places can boast of. The temple is situated in the heart of the village. Nature reveals herself in all her unhidden beauty in the rivers, forests and mountains which the temples is surrounded by. It is about a 100 KM from Mangalore and can be easily reached by buses or taxis.

Subramanya used to be called as Kukke Pattana in the past. In the 'Shankara Vijaya' Anandagiri observes that Sri Shankaracharya camped here for a few days during his religious expedition (Digvijaya). Shankaracharya referred to this place as 'Bhaje Kukke Lingam' in his 'Subrahmanya Bhujangaprayata Stotram'.
Sri Subrahmanya kshetra has been brilliantly described in the 'Thirthakshetra Mahimanipurana' chapter of the Sahyadrikhanda comprised in the Sanatkumara Samhita of Skanda Purana. This kshetra is situated in the banks of the river 'Dhara' which originates in the Kumara mountain and proceeds to the western sea.

Vidyashankara Temple Shringeri

Sharda devi Mandir Sringeri

Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri. The Peetham is the first and foremost of the four Peethams established by the renowned 8th century philosopher saint Sri Adi Shankara, the principal exponent of Advaita (non-dualism). The Divinity of Knowledge, Goddess Sharada, installed at Sringeri by Sri Adi Shankara, graces the Peetham as the presiding deity. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal, the 36th in the illustrious and unbroken lineage of Acharyas presently adorns the throne of transcendental wisdom - the Vyakhyana Simhasana, the title associated with the Pontifical Seat of the Peetham. The Jagadguru upholds the activities of the Peetham towards the propagation and sustenance of Sanatana Dharma while pervading the lives of many thousands of disciples as their spiritual guide.

Temples and Shrines at Sringeri As a centre of Pilgrimage, Sringeri attracts scores of pilgrims every year. Pilgrims visiting Sringeri seek the blessings of Goddess Sharada, the divinity of Supreme Knowledge, consecrated by Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya Himself. The temple of Sri Vidyashankara, stands as a testimony to time to this day in all its architectural splendour. These and other temples also display the dedication of the Acharyas and the devotees to the various deities consecrated at various times in the hoary past of the Peetham. Apart from the temples of Sri Sharada and Sri Vidyashankara, which attract devotees from all parts of the country, the Shrine of Sri Malahanikareshwara is not only known for its age old antiquity, but also as an important shrine which the Acharya Himself venerates and worships on special occassions.