TALES FROM THE PAST

SRI APATSAHAYESWARAR, ALANGUDI (TN)  Navgraha kshetram dedicated to Shiva and where Sri Dakshinamurthy is worshipped as Guru Bhagwan (Jupiter/Brihaspati). The shrine is renowned for its tri-glories, i.e. Moorthy, sthalam and theertham (Holy Water). This place is believed to be the one where Shiva consumed the deadly poison (Ala Visham) that came out after samudra manthan. Hence, Shiva came to be called Apatsahayesvarar (One who defends from danger). Kshetram is believed to have been constructed by Amuthokar (a Shiva bhakt). He was the minister of King Masukuntha Chakravarti and was beheaded as he refused to give half of his Punya (merit) to the King. On his death, the sthalam reverberated with the sound ‘Amuthokar’. Frightened King prayed to Apatsahayeswarar and was relieved from all Doshas. Alangudi is surrounded by 3 holy rivers-Cauvery, Kolidam and Vennaru. Fifteen theerthams are around this kshetram. Amrita Pushkarani encircling the Kshetram is very famous. Chakra theertham in fron

SIRSI MARIKAMBA DEVI, UTTAR KANNADA DIST. (KAR)  Also known as Doddamma (elder sister of all Mariammas). Marikamba of Sirsi is both Mari (terror) as well as Maremma (savior). She is terror in anger & Mother in love. That is why she is called Marikamba. There was a man by the name of Asadi/ Basava. He used to attend a fair at the neighboring village. Once, he was harassed by some men due to his poor status. So he did not go to the fair. Instead, he stayed in his village Sirsi and prayed to Devi. One night, he had a dream where Devi Kali informed him about her presence in a tank at his village. When the tank was searched, people found a box with parts of murti. The different parts were assembled together and since then Sirsi Devi became popular in the region. The kshetram has extremely striking murals in ‘Kaavi’ art. It is an art form of the Konkan region of coastal Karnataka. This stunning art involves creation of patterns in red colour against a white background. Marikamba rathyatr

SRIKANTESHWARA KSHETRAM, NANJANGUDU (KAR)   Srikanteshwara is the biggest kshetram in Karnataka. The name of the town is derived from this kshetram dedicated to Shiva known here as Nanjundeshwara. The Dodda Yaathre festival here attracts thousands of devotees. During samudra manthan, poison emerged from the ocean. To prevent the poison from spreading across the universe and to destroy it, Shiva came to the rescue and drank it. Devi Parvathi then held his throat tightly to prevent the poison from spreading to the rest of his body. The poison remained in his throat, making it blue in color. So Shiva is also called Neelakantha (blue-throated). Nanjanagud literally means the place where Nanjundeshwara (Prabhu who drank poison) resides. Nanjundeswara is also described as one who cures diseases of his bhaktas. The Shiva Linga is believed to have been installed by Rishi Gautam. This Shiva Linga was also worshipped by Maharishi Parashurama to get cleansed from the sin of beheading his mother.

SRI KANTESH HANUMANTHA, KADARAMANDALAGI (KAR)  KANTESHA means Prabhu full of brightness. Here, Sri Hanuman appears with a front face and sparkling eyes. Earlier, the village was also called KANTESHPURI on the name of Kantesha Hanuman. Several thousands of years ago, Hanuman lived in this village. He once saw the Sun and mistaking it to be a fruit, began flying towards it. Since then, this village came to be known as Kadara Man Dalagi. (Kadar means rays, mandala is cluster of rays). It is believed that King Janmejaya had set up the shrine to get rid of his difficulties. There is a small pond on the right side of the kshetram where Teppotsava (Float festival) is celebrated. Kanaka Dasa has praised Sri Kantesha in his various poetic compositions. Kanaka Dasa was the first devotee to popularize the power of Kantesha. It is said that once Kanaka Dasa was deeply wounded in a battle. To seek blessings, he visited Tirupati but Sri Venkatesha appeared in his dream and advised him to see Kantesh

KURUDAMALE GANESHA, KOLAR DIST. (KAR)  Place with one of the largest Ganesha murti which is about 13 foot high and made of saligram. The kshetram itself is built of a single rock without any foundation. It is believed that the murti was established here in Satyug by Tridev (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh). In Treta yuga, same murti was worshipped by Sri Ram before war with Ravana. Later, in Dwapara yug, Krishna and the pandavas worshipped here. Local belief is that Maharshi Koundinya comes to this shrine and offers prayers daily. It is also said that small 'ball of lights' glide over the surrounding areas and reach the shrine during Ratha Sapthami. People believe Devas carry these lights to worship Ganesha. People visit here before commencing a new job or any new work. It is believed that if a person with pure heart prays here to Ganesha, his wish would be granted. Another speciality is that no matter how far you stand and view, the murti only grows bigger and bigger.

SRI BANASHANKARI AMMAN, BANGALORE Located in Southern Bangalore, this is one of the most popular places of worship in Bangalore City. Devoted to Devi Banashankari, this shrine is visited specially during Rahukala which is believed to be an unfavorable time. Somanna Shetty, a great devotee of Devi, brought this murti from Badami’s Banshankari Amma Kshetram. It is said that many years ago, three ladies visited this shrine and requested the pujari to conduct puja for them. Since it was the inauspicious rahu kaal, the pujari refused. However, upon their insistence, he conducted the puja. When he returned with prasadam, the ladies vanished. This made the people believe that they were none other than the Devi herself. Since then, the people perform poojas here during the Rahukaal. People use lemons as a diya. Lemons are cut from the centre and their pulps are removed, for pouring oil in them. It is strongly believed that Devi removes all the troubles from the life of her devotees during the