I was away from Bengaluru to U.S.A. for last six months. I was longing to return & continue my routine curriculum at my abode of retirement. One of my favourite hobby is excursions. The excursion is a world to be in our own world.I came to know on Friday 22-12-2017 that there is a free trip to Goravanahalli in Kortagere Taluk in Tumkur district for senior citizens.It was arranged by Kanva Fashions Limited.They arranged two mini vans for the purpose.Each van accommodated 13 people . I thought it's a trip to famous Mahalaxmi Temple at Goravanahalli . I wished to have darshan & have Her blessings.
On 22nd December morning the vans arrived at ground adjacent to Ganesha Temple Sahakarnagar at about 10.30. a.m. Before any journey it is customary to perform Pooja to vehicles & remember Lord Ganesha. The ritual was performed & our journey commenced. As usual there was heavy traffic on Bellary Road & vans were slowly inching forward. The vans instead of moving towards Tumkur Road moved towards Rajajinagar. After about half an hour drive we entered Modi Hospital Road via West of Chord Road.Our vans were parked near Kanva Mart Ltd near Navrang Talkies.I was wonder struck.The question why is this trip arose in my mind. I slowly gathered that two senior citizens of Sahakarnagar have invested a sizeable amount with Kanva group in fixed deposits & to instil confidence in them that their money is safe & canvass more & more people to invest is this trip.The free trip provided me an opportunity to study marketing strategies & visit the shrine too.Target group for deposits to Kanva group seemed to be senior retired citizens. They offer jobs to them .
We were at Kanva Mart for about half an hour where one can become a member & enjoy many benefits.There, shirts, T-shirts,trousers,Denims, casuals,inner wears,saris, kurtas & Kurtis, Salwar Kamis,Patiala suits,trousers & skirts, footwear, interiors & home appliances were all on sale. Some of us hadn't had breakfast & it was getting late for our onward journey as such from there our vans sped to Arashinakunte,Nelamangala where we landed at Kanva Public School,Kanvanagar, Dhanojipalya about 28 k.m.from Bangalore.It was a beautiful school.Classes were running.In the campus we had sumptuous breakfast.
Our next destination was Kanva Garment Factory at Goravanahalli run by Kanva Fashions Limited. After an hour drive , we reached its huge gate with security personnel guarding. Our vans were parked outside & we were allowed inside led by marketing manager Mr Ramakrishnaiah.
We noticed five big structures inside spread over 50 acres of land. Each housing different activity of the company. In each spinning, weaving, cutting, stitching, packing & other activities take place.Vehicles that bring factory personnel from nearby places were found parked. A few years ago that was a barren land. Today providing employment to thousands of male & female personnel. It is an export oriented unit equipped with modern machinery developing day by day. It is producing Denim which is in no way inferior to any imported material. It has brought prosperity to the place. It is one that surely indicates "India is developing".
Establishment of the factory has generated employment to over 5000 people. There was smile on the face of workers.The face of the place has been changed.We went through every unit there.Functioning of every unit was explained to us by Mr Ramakrishnaiah. It took more than two & half hours time. We were all impressed by the functioning of the factory. It deserves kudos. We were provided meals in the canteen attached to the factory.
Kanva group is having following companies namely 1. Kanva Fashions Ltd.2. Kanva Mart Ltd.3. Kanva Tours & Travels P Ltd 4. Kanva Healthcare P Ltd. 5. Kanva Interiors & Furniture's P Ltd.6. Kanva Star Resorts& Hotel P Ltd 7. Kanva Foods P Ltd. 8. Kanva Home Appliances Ltd. 9. Kanva Garments( Foot wear) P Ltd. 10. Kanva Shree Credit P Ltd.
Points are allotted on a basis for every dealing & can be made use as per the schemes.
Thereafter vans were diverted towards Mahalaxmi Temple at Goravanahalli.
It was Danur masa. The period is considered inauspicious in some regions in India. It is considered as inauspicious to do any good things other than Godly functions. Worshipping of Lord Vishnu during the early morning hours in it is considered highly auspicious. Vishnu Sahasranama is chanted during the period. According to the reports DhanurMasa is not an independent month in any Indian calendar except for the Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala – in this calendar the month during the period is known as Dhanur Masam.
The month December-January derives its name from the star Mrigasirsha occurring on or immediately after the month’s full moon day. It is also known as Dhanur masa since during this month the sun transits through Dhanur rasi. Vedas and agamas say mornings in this month are ideal for worship of the Lord. Krishna underlines its special nature by saying in Bhagavad Gita that among months he is Mrigasirsha. In temples all over India during this month there is special pre-dawn worship. Since this month is set apart for worship, marriages and other such functions are not performed in Dhanur masa.
Goravanahalli is a village known for the temple of Goddess Mahalakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu. It is at a distance of 90 k.m. from Bengaluru. On Tumkur road go till Dabaspet, which is around 52 Km from majestic. Take right at Dabaspet under the flyover on Bangalore – Pune highway. Goravanahalli is around 37 Km from Dabaspet. This unique temple attracts many pilgrims throughout the year. It is surrounded by greenery on all side .
Mahalaxmi is considered as “Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity”. Story behind this temple is very interesting and that starts with a very poor man named Abbayya. He used to take his cows out for grazing and will have his food near a pond. He kept on hearing a voice, which said “Shall I come with you” for some days. He was scared since he was not able to see anybody but finally after some time, he replied back saying she can come with him if she is not an evil spirit and he saw a “Mahalakshmi Idol”. He took that home and started worshipping everyday and soon he became a wealthy person in the village. He built a small temple for the goddess and worshipped her with great reverence. This was continued until Abbayya and his brother Thotadappa were died.
From 1925 on wards, “Shrimati Kamalamma” started worshipping the goddess and soon many people who visited this temple benefited. By word of mouth, temple became famous pilgrimage centre.
The trip enabled us to know the places, spend time joyfully & usefully & come closer.