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Places of Interest in Karnataka
Chikamangalur: The Rivers
Along the rivers are the centres of learning and new philosophies,
intricately carved temples, mutts and the abundant richness of nature.
Khandya
Khandya is about 43 kms to north - west of Chikmagalur town and is one of
the panch-kshetras (five sacred places) situated on the banks of the river
Bhadra.
Sringeri
Sringeri, a charming toen on the banks of river Tunga, 90 kms west of
chikmagalur town, is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres in
Karnataka with epic associations. Named after Rshyashringa from Ramayana Adi
Shankaracharya established the Sharada peeta and propogated advaitha, the
philosophy of non-dualism.
Sureshwacharya was the first head of the peeta Shankaracharya installed an
image of Sharada Devi made of Sandalwood, which was replaced with a golden
replica in the 14th century. In the 12th century the Vidyashankara temple
was built with the help of the Vijayanagar rulers.
The temple is a combination of Hoysala and Dravidian style of architeture.
There are 6 doorways leading to the temple. In the Mantapa and 12 zodiac
pillars, known as Rasikambhas, which are placed so that the suns rays fall
on each of them, in the order of the solar months The garioha - griha has a
linga called Vidyashankara installed in the memory of Guru Vidyatheertha. To
the north of the temple is a more recent temple built by skilled craftsmen
of the 28th century dynastic style. A stone's throw from here is a 14th
century temple of Janardhana built during the Vijayanagara period. At
Sringeri also is an old Jain Basadi dedicated to Parshwanath Theerthankara.
Balehonnur
45 kms North - West of Chikmagalur town in B alehonnur, on the banks of
river Bhadra. It is a celebrated seat of Shrimad Jagadguru Rambhapuri
Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Peeta. The famous Veerashaiva Mutt, one of the
great Pancha Peetas. The Veerabhadra Temple attached to the Mutt has sturdy
images of Veerbhadra and Bhadrakali. Devotees visit to pay homage all
through the year. Easy access to this place from Chikmagalur is via V.K.
Road.
Somapura
20 kms to the west of Tarikere town is Somapura, another of the pancha -
kshetrash on the banks of river Bhadra.
Muthodi
32 kms North - West of Chikmagalur town is Muthodi, a wildlife sanctuary,
surrounded by hills has the tributaries of the Bhadra river flowing through
it. The western border of the century abuts the back waters of the Bhadra
Reservoir which has a catchment area of 1,968 sq kms surrounded by fresh
freen hills and steep slopes. A diverse and exciting range of wildlife -
bisons, elephants, tigers, panthers, sambars, spotted deers, wild boars,
porcupines, peacock, parrot, partridge, pigeon and riptles and snakes. You
can feast your eyes on wild beasts as you drive among the 150 kms stretch of
road that cuts through the wildlife zone.
Kalasa
An ancient Agrahara seltlement, Kalasa, situated 92 kms south-west of
Chikmagalur, on the banks of the Bhadra, is surrounded by lofty hills of the
Western Ghats and is looked upon as one of the pancha- kshetras. Close by
are the Pancha Theerthas, the five sacred ponds. On a small hillock is the
Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Ishwara, with a Kshetrapala shrine of soap
stone. The Madhwachary Bande, a large boulder at one of the theerthas is
believed to have been placed here by Shri Madhwacharya, the founder of the
dwaitha school of philosophy. A statue of this Acharya is carved on the
upper portion of the rock.
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