Sri Ghattaragi Bhagyamma/ Bhagyavanthi Temple Gulbargha

Vijayanagara Dynasty was established in 1336 by Hakka & Bukka under the able guidance of Vidyaranya Guru. Vijayanagara is referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese. It lasted until 1646 although its power declined after a major military defeat in 1565 by the Deccan sultanates. The following temple story has to do everything with Vijayanagara Dynasty’s abrupt end.   Bhuvaneshwari is the family deity of Vijayanagar Dynasty Kings. Rama Raya the last ruler ignored the family deity’s warning and allied with Deccan Sultanates. Vijayanagara Dynasty was built to protect Karnataka from Islamic invasion. Hakka & Bukka brother duo reverted to Hinduism after their brief conversion to Islam. Goddess warned Rama Raya several times on the repercussions of the alliance with the Sultanates and the King paid no heed. She even showed up in his dreams and said she will leave if he does not drop the alliance with the invaders, Rama Raya still did not care.  Dejected by the mistreat, goddess leaves the kingdom. When she left, all the fortunes went with her. Rama Raya was killed by the Sultanates in he battle of Talikot and vijayanagar doomed forever.

After leaving the kingdom, goddess swam through Thungabhadra and Krishna rivers. Finally she came to Bheema river and stayed underneath the river. She penanced underneath the waters for several years. Jamanna was a shepherd and was grazing cattle when he heard voices resonating underneath the water. The shepherd was a stanch Devi devotee and started praying on the banks. The goddess pleased by his devotion appeared to him and narrated the story. He regularly prayed to the Devi. He went to the village and informed this to the village chieftains. Many believed but there were skeptics who doubted the story. So they all gathered at the river banks. A huge snake showed up to them first followed by a glass pillar.  A voice from the pillar resonated asking the villagers to take her with them. Everyone was very happy and delighted to take the goddess (now in the pillar form) with them to the village. But no one was ready to bring it to the shore. The shepherd took the responsibility and brought it to the shore. They took the glass pillar with them all of a sudden a snake accompanied along. The villagers were very scared. The snake vanished but the pillar turned to a black stone pillar. The chieftains welcomed and women offered vermilion, turmeric, flowers and burnt the incense sticks and prayed to the pillar. Pillar was first kept at the Jamanna's door steps. She appeared in Channamma Gowd’s dreams and expressed her wish to stay in their house and vanished. Chennamma was the mother of the village chieftain. Next day, she narrated her dreams to her son and the son was more than happy to fulfill goddess desire. The pillar was installed as per goddess wish. From then on the village and the village chieftains worshiped & they prospered.

The villagers brought the pillar and built a temple around it. The pillar brought a lot of fortune to the people hence she was named Bhagyavanthy (Fortune Giver). She proved to be Kamadenu and Kalparuksha to the villagers. So, in short she is the  family deity of Vijayanagar Kings who flourished when they worshipped her and perished when ignored her. Today the temple is visited by many from all over the country and outside country. This is a place full of miracles and all your sincere prayers are answered. Miracles happen when you believe!

Devarayana Durga

This story is Taken from here ;

Devarayana Durga (DD) is dotted with two main temples mainly the ‘Yoganarasimha’ Temple and the ‘Bhoganarasimha’ Temple. The hilltop gives a splendid view of the surrounding areas. About 3-4Kms from DD is another place called ‘Namada Chilume’.

From Wikipedia entry, the history of DD is as under:

The place was originally known as Anebiddasari then as Jadakana Durga after a chief named Jadaka and finally as Devarayana Durga subsequent to its capture by Mysore king Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar.

Tradition relates that a robber chief named Andhaka or Lingaka had his stronghold here, and he was subdued by sumati, a prince, whose father, Hemachandra, was the king of Karnata and ruled from Yadupattana. On accomplishing the enterprise on which he had set forth, Sumathi is said to have established the city of Bhumandana near the present Nelamangala and taken up residence there for the protection of that part of his fathers kingdom.

Under the Hoysalas, there seems to have been, on the hill, a town called Anebiddasari or the precipice where the elephant fell. A rogue elephant, which the sthala purana describes as a Gandharva suddenly appeared before the town to the great consternation of the people and after doing considerable mischief, tried to walk up the steep rock on the west, when it slipped, fell back and was killed. The hill is accordingly called as Karigiri in the Puranas.

Under the Vijayanagara Kings, the use of the same name continued, and a large tank, named Bukkasamudra, was formed after throwing an embankment across the gorge from which the river Jayamangali has its source. Remains of the embankment and of the adjacent town can still be traced.

Coming to the details of the trip, early in the morning I and my friend missed the direct bus which leaves Bangalore at 8:00 am, as we were unaware of the timing we reached there at 8:05 am and the bus had left by then. We then took one of the numerous KSRTC buses which head to Tumkur (Cost Rs 36/- per head). The journey was quite fine, infact the middle section of the journey was quite wonderful due to very good road condition.

We finally reached Tumkur at 10:10 am. When we enquired at the bus stand only to find that the next direct bus is at 12:30pm. After a bit of looking around we found out that there are private buses to a place which is about 6Kms from DD. Hence we took the risk of having to walk around 6Kms and took the private bus (Cost Rs. 5/- per head) which left at 10:30am. We reached the cross road we were supposed to start walking at around 11:00 am. We began our long walk, but within a few minutes a kind gentleman offered us a lift in his car. He was a rice mill owner and he enquired about us and gave us a lot of information about the place.

We quickly reached the ‘Bhoganarasimha’ temple situated at the foot, we went inside the temple had a quick look around. Had Idli (Cost Rs. 10/- per plate consisting of 3 Idliys) at a small shop near the temple and our gentleman again offered us a lift to the top of the hills. The vehicles can go a good 2Kms through the zig zag road towards the top. But to reach the temple one has to climb a good few hundred steps. Here again we had a quick look at the temple, the temple is good and we had a good time there.

Outside the temple is a small pond and beside that is the way to go right to the top of the hills. We ventured on the pathways, no steps here and went towards the top, we had to navigate through some rocks, narrow pathways before reaching the top. The top of the hill has some building structure which I am unable to say what. It looks like a place where the person keeping watch would rest.

This place offered splendid view of the places around and it was quite a wonderful experience to be able to stand there with the cold breeze blowing. It took me to a totally different world all together. It was an experience which cannot be put down in words. People say what do you get by going up the hills, I say you have to climb one and see the view from the top to really understand the true feeling.

At around 2:00 pm we headed down the hills towards the bottom of the hills where we had first gone. This is the place where the buses stand. We quickly had our lunch (Puliogare – Cost Rs. 15/- per plate) at the same place where we had Idli’s in the morning. We though of heading back to Bangalore by the 3:30 bus. But finally at around 2:45pm we decided to walk the 3-4Kms to ‘Namada Chilume’, how could we miss this place which is so near by and we had so much time in our hands.

Hence we walked….walked…and walked….the roads were deserted expect for the old vehicles which were passings by. We had a great time walking through the area which was fully covered by trees, hence we did not feel the sun much. We were hoping to see the Yellow throated Bulbul which can be found here, but alas we could not spot any on the way.

We reached ‘Namada Chilume’ at around 3:20pm. . Myth has it that Rama on his way to Lanka halted here. As he did not find water anywhere around to wet the “nAma” (a kind of paste Hindus apply on their forehead), he shot an arrow into the ground, and a spring sprang and thus the name ‘Namada Chilume’. The spring can be still seen as a small stream of water coming out of the ground. The actual source is completely barricaded, hence they have made another hole into which the water flows from where people can collect the water. There is also an foot impression of Lord Sri Rama near that, which I surprisingly missed out and did not notice. There is also a deer park in the same campus. The entry fees to the place is Rs.3 per head.

Just opposite to ‘Namada Chilume’ is a nursery of medicinal plants which is being maintained by the forest department. This place is also good, but we could not stay longer as we had to catch a private bus (Cost Rs. 6/- per head) going to Tumkur which arrived here sharp at 4:30pm by which we reached Tumkur by 5:00pm. We had juice to gain some energy and quieten our thirst and left Tumkur by KSRTC bus (Cost Rs. 36/- per head) at 5:20pm. We reached Bangalore by 7:30 pm.

Tips/Suggestions

• Always take the direct bus available as they do via the nearest route, unlike us who went via Tumkur.
• If you are going by a private vehicle there are other places which can be visited near by, one which I can recollect is ‘Sivagange’, please ask around and you will surely find quite a few options.
• The total expenses incurred by us for the journey was Rs. 131/- per head including the tickets and the food. Hence it is quite a cheap trip if you go by bus. Still cheaper if you can pack and take you food along. Though the small shop offering food is quite reasonably priced.
• Do not just go till the temple at the top and return, instead climb further to the top for the ultimate experience.

Mata Mansa devi, Panchkula

Mata Mansa Devi Temple at Panchkula is a symbol of Himalayan culture and faith. The shrine located on the foot hills of Shivalik is an epitome of age old tradition of ‘Shakti’ worship in northern India. Himalaya being the abode of Shiva and his consort’shakti’ became centre of shakti worship. In the vicinity of Panchkula there are numerous Shakti worshipping centers known by their names such as Chandi, Kalika, Mansa, Bhima etc. Hence, mythological speaking, Chandigarh-Panchkula region undoubtedly continued to be living legends of shaktism where its practices are in vogue.

However, the present temple which stands a witness to the exciting past of the Shivalik region is about two hundred years old. The archeological treasures unearthed from Chandigarh-Panchkula region throw eloquent light on the history and culture of the area from the prehistoric to the recent times. Although owing to the onslaught of times and climes many tangible realities of the cultural manifestations of the region have been lost in the oblivion, yet there are certain things which never die out. One such reality is the Mansa Devi Shrine and the tradition of shaktism practised in this part of the country, where the past has been rejuvenated for sustaining one of the living traditions of shaktism in India.

Two temples are located in the complex of Mansa Devi. The main temple is dedicated to Mansa who is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum both in the form of ‘pindi’ as well as in her anthropomorphic form executed on a marble. In the sanctum sanctorum she is worshipped with Devi Saraswati and Lakshmi in the form of Pindi (Stone pebbles). Originally the pindis were only worshipped by the devotees. However, in modern times a marble bust of the deity was got sculpted for giving an attractive human look (form) to the deity. She is beautifully decorated with crown and other ornaments.

Kengal Anjeneya Swamy Temple, Chennapattana

The following temple is located in Vandaraguppe village,Channapatna dist, Karnataka. The presiding deity here is Swayambu Hanuman, which is a five & half feet long, and the idol sprouts a mustache.  It is very seldom for a ''swayumbu lord hanuman'' to sprout a mustache. Swayambhu (also spelled Svayambhu) means Self-manifested or that which is created by its own accord. Hanuman idol emerged from the red rocks, and to this date it is still emerging. ''Kengal'' in Kannada means 'redstone' from which the idol is emerging from, hence the lord is  called here as ''Kengal Hunumantha'' also know as Kengal Anjeneya Swamy'' It is to be noted that the idol is usually decorated with bright orange paint, called sindhoor. This idol is naturally bright orange-red!    


Few 1,000 years ago, Vyasa (sage) was passing by a bright red boulder. Upon discovering this, he was all excited and visualized an Hanuman etched from those rocks. The omni present lord Hanuman, full filled Vyasa's wish by slowly emerging from the rocks, with crisp details as vyasa imagined. This also included a very rare yet a perfect mustache. The temple was build by ''Hoysala kings''. After Hoysalas, no one cared to maintain the temple and as a result the temple almost reduced to rumble. A Karnataka Cheif Minister who goes by the same name as that of the lord, renovated the temple. He was building vidhansaudha, and used the same rocks and granites to renovate the temple. He was a staunch devotee of this Hanuman,  so he was buried closer to the temple. His Samadhi is at a stone throw's distance. Thanks to the ex CM, the temple is well maintained by the devotees and the temple trustees. the temple sees more devotees year after year! 



This temple, like any other ancient temples, is quite unique. Lord came here to please Vysa. The sage who wrote Hindu epic Mahabaratha. The idol is very powerful and vested with a lot of energy. Hence people with ill intentions cannot withstand the idol; it triggers vibes that can be harmful. The lord is merciless in punishing the mean & bad. The lord also does not fail to bless the good ones. Good and bad is not necessarily decided by our actions, but how much guilt we acquire from it. This is a famous hindu piligrimage site for childless couples and people with other illnesses.  


There are other fascinating phenomenon associated with this temple. This temple never ceases to surprise its devotees. Few decades ago, the idol's face was facing north, and over the years it now looks east! As the face moving from one direction to the other, the hidden eye is also evolving. When the idol was facing north, devotees could see only the right-side mustache and a right eye, now both the eyes are visible and so is complete mustache.    One of the architectural marvel of this temple is that, the first (sun) rays on Makara Shankranthi Day (jan 14/15) i.e the first day of Uttarayana falls directly on the idol. This does not happen on other days! 





The difference between this temple and other temples is that prayers are answered on your first visit to the temple. Standing in front of this idol, absorbing powerful vibes, will make a commoner into a physic there by knowing the answer to the individual's prayers. It does not matter which part of the world you are in, nor the religion, praying to Hanuman in silence will make wonders!   


May lord Hanuman bless us all! 

Virupaksha Temple, Mulabagalu

athama linga at the front and margadarshneshwara
linga behind. 

The Virupaksha temple is located in Virupakshapura Village in Mulbagal taluk of Kolar dst, Karnataka. This is a very special Lord Shiva Temple. In the sacred sanctum, there are two shiva lingas. One of them is an athma linga, called Virupaksha athma Linga. The specialty of this Linga is it changes its color thrice a day. This Athma Linga is blood red in color in the early mornings, in afternoons it is white, and in the evenings it takes honey color. This is one of very few Lingas that changes its color trice a day, one other being Kantheshwara (linga) temple in Mangalore.  No one can explain the color phenomena to this date. This still remains a mystery to the science community.  In the same sanctum, there is another Linga slightingly bigger than the Virupaksha athma linga called  ''Marga-Darsh-Neshwara Linga''. The story dates back to many 1000 centuries.  Atreya Muni did penance to lords shiva in front of Marga-Darsh-Neshwara Linga for many decades. Lord Shiva pleased by Artreya's devotion, showed up to him and handed the Virupaksha athma linga as token of appreciation. Athreya Muni, established the linga in the same sanctum. .

 It is believed that powerful radiations are emitted from the sacred sanctum. The point of origin of these radiation is the Athma Linga. The intensity of the radiations vary as per time of the day. High radiations are emitted early morning and in the evenings, i.e during sun rise and sun set. These radiations are very powerful. The radiations subdues and cancel out other negative radiations. There are special characteristics associated with these radiations. When exposed to these radiation, it is supposedly activates the right brain, which is all about arts and creativity. Besides honing ones creativity, these radiations also help children to improve memory power and also improves their I.Qs. Children affected by autism can be cured by exposing them to these rays, every day. These radiations can make a child agile, can help a mute child speak. There are many children in the vicinity of the temple who stand testimony. The school children are constantly made to expose to the rays, and as a result they have tremendously improved in the academics. In fact pupils from the near by schools made it a point to spend a lot of time in this temple, during school hours, as a result these children stands first in the state exams. These radiations can also cure chronic diseases like cancer, Tuberculosis, and other ailments which cannot be cured by the science are cured here. In fact the intensity of the radiation is so strong, that it will knock anyone who stands in its path. Anybody exposed to these rays for few minutes, one will start rocking back and forth. In the process one would not lose their balance and trip. People exposed to such rays has unique experience, for some it makes them feel light, for others it gives them adrenalin high. Each persons experience is as unique as their DNA structure. The radiation originates from the Athma Linga, and ends at the otherside of the temple called ''suruli'' 

In this temple complex, there is a sacred sanctum for Goddess Bagalamukhi, radiations from this idol can cancel out all the negative vibes caused by black magic and by other means. These rays can cure a lot of mental illnesses too. This temple was improvised by Krishna Devaraya. This temple is very unique and one of its kinds, it is one of those very few temples with very high active energy fields. Anyone can check it for themselves. Hence, this place is favorite for spiritual enlightment seekers.  Please add this temple to your must visit pilgrimage lists. 

      

Padmavathi Yantra!

This is taken from here


Devi Padmavati Sadhna is basically for attaining wealth but people looking for jobs or new venture can also benefit from her Sadhana.
Tirthankara Parshvanatha was a prince in the kingdom of Kashi. He was known as prince Parshva then. Once he went to see an ascetic who was performing some penance by lighting the logs of wood. On the outskirts of the city this ascetic, whose name was Kamath, was performing the ritual of penance. Parshva had divine vision and only he could see that there were two snakes (male and femalHe asked Kamath to remove that log but Kamath could not see anything and accused Parshva of trying to break the penance. Parshva was the only person there who knew what was happening.When his requests were rejected, Parshva ordered one of his servants to disturb the fire and remove the log in question. Servant did as he was told and everybody saw that there indeed were two snakes in the log. The snakes unfortunately did not survive and died. But before their death Parshva recited Namaskara Mantra and the snakes died in peace.

These snakes in their next birth were born as Dharnendra (one of the Indra Gods with the name of Dharan) and Padmavati. Kamath was very angry but he could not do anything, as he was proved wrong.

After few years Parshva left everything and went away in search of eternal happiness and became a monk. One day Parshvanatha (Parshva) was standing in a meditation in one park where a demon called Meghmali arrived this Meghmali was no other but Kamath who had died and had taken birth in the form of Meghmali. Meghmali wanted to take revenge because of what had happened in the past life.
Meghmali created all sorts of obstacles to break the meditation. He made heavy rains to fall on Parshvanatha with severest intensity. Parshvanatha continued in his meditation. He was not moved or disturbed by this severe calamity. Water started rising and it came up to the knees of Parshvanatha and it was still rising. At this juncture Dharnendra and Padmavati came and created a big lotus, which lifted Parshvanatha above the water. Dharnendra made a hood (snake hood) to prevent Parshvanatha’s head getting wet. Parshvanatha was still in deep meditation. Meghmali at last gave up his evil acts and apologized. Parshvanatha forgave him.
This story of obstacles created by Meghmali is quite famous. Dharnendra and Padmavati saved Parshvanatha and people believe that they still come and save anyone who in is trouble.

However it is noteworthy that Padmavati is revered more than Dharnendra. In fact she is the single most popular goddess in Jains. She is, as stated before the dedicated deity of Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. Her colour is golden and her vehicle is the snake with a cock’s head. Padmavati’s idols are found in seated position wherein her right leg is resting on the ground and the left leg is resting on the right thigh. Some images are found in a lotus position as well. Most images have snake hood over head.

She has a red complexion and has four arms and her two right hands hold a lotus and a rosary. The two left hands hold a fruit and a rein. There are different forms of goddess Padmavati. Shvetambaras usually have her idols with four hands. Digambra image of Padmavati has upto 20 hands.

The Sadhna of Devi Padmavati is basically a Jain Sadhna for the purpose of attaining wealth and prosperity. On the eve of Diwali. Every Jain Sadhak performs the sadhana of Devi Padmavati to get blessed with wealth and prosperity. It is quite evident that Jain Society is really prosperous and wealthy and that is because of the amazing effect of sadhna of Devi Padmavati.

As per Jain scholars’ words, Devi Padmavati sadhna is so fruitful that every individual irrespective of religion or community should try it and gain prosperity. For Devi, there is no religion or caste barrier and she bestows her blessing on each and every one who worships her with dedication, devotion and purity of heart.

The following temple is located in a lush green forest of kaannathur, kasargud dist in Kerala.  The temple is called Nalwaru, which litreally means 4 persons. However, the four persons at the temple are 'gods of ghosts'! The four deities are Ugramurthy, Panjurli, Raktha-Chamundi & Vishnumurthy. This temple is very sacred, and people fear the deities of the temple. The temple is filled with a lot of tantric powers, very typical to any Keralite temple.  The main purpose of this temple is that it servers as a people's court. Most of the disputes are settled in the temple courtyard, this has been the practice for many decades now. A plaintiff with truth on his side can give a petition to the temple authorities. And defendant will receive a memo (similar to a court's order) from the temple. If the defendant refuses to obey and decides not to respond to the orders from the temple, and decides not to show-up for hearing at the temple, such persons will be faced with sudden misfortunes, and sudden deaths in their family. Further more, It is also believed that such persons souls will be held by these 4 ghost gods. People in the region and in and around Mangalore, Karnataka are  very scared  of these 4 gods and do not even speak of these gods casually. Hence they normally show up to avoid the wrath of the ghost gods. It is to be noted that one of Mangalore's air crash victims soul was held by one such Ghost gods, and after a lot of begging and cajoling by the victim's family members the ghost gods released his soul, but did tell that all the victims soul from that crash is still held by them, they also confessed that it was not them that caused the accident, but a pilot's error. Mangalore Airport's runway was built after relocating a Ghost deity temple. This pilot's error was later confirmed by the investigation team.  The popular belief in this region is when a soul is held by a ghost god/s, the food prepared on their ''teethi'' is untouched by the crows or any other animals.

Although, they are not the typical temple we see elsewhere, they are indeed very powerful by all means and very sacred to this part of the country. No black magic will work in this temple, and anyone with ill intention cannot even enter the temple. They are ruthlessly punish the wrong doers. People from all faith worship these gods and frequently visit the temple to get swift justice and to find closure to their problems. It is strongly advised that anyone with no truth to his/her story should avoid giving petition to the temple, if they do they too will face the wrath! This temple is definitely one of its kinds-put this in your must see temple list!