KODLAMANE SHREE VISHNUMURTHY TEMPLE
" No other place in Brahmand like this..."
ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹಾವಿಷ್ಣು ವನ್ನು ಸದಾ ಪ್ರೇಮಿಸಿ , ಸದಾ ಭಜಿಸಿ , ಸದಾ ಪೂಜಿಸಿ , ಸದಾ ಸ್ಮರಿಸಿ , ಸದಾ ಆರಾಧಿಸಿ :
अन्यथा शरणम् नास्ति त्वमेव शरणं मम्, तस्मात्कारुन्यभावेन् रक्य रक्य जनार्द्न्
आर्ता विषण्णाः शिथिलाश्च भीता, घोरेषु व्याघ्रादिषु वर्तमानाः
संकीर्त्य नारायणशब्दमात्रं विमुक्तदुःखाः सुखिनो भवन्तु
Temple Timing - on normal days 7am to 1.30pm and 4.30pm to 8.30pm
One of the three Brahmnd Darshan Piligrimage spot. Lord expects only Love from Pilgrims and Devotees.
Kodlamane is an ancient Tirtha Kshetra and Hindu pilgrimage site where Shree Vishnumurthy Temple is located. It is located in a beautiful hill forest. As per local legend the temple was discovered in the middle of dense forest centuries back. It is in Honnavar Taluka of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka state. A beautiful stream flows next to the Shree Vishnumurthy Temple, which is called Vishnu Tirth.
Surrounded with folklores and history that dates back to AD’s that will leave you spell bound , this Vishnu temples considered sacred and there is no other place in Brahmand like this.
There is no entry fee. Foreigners are allowed to enter (Provided they meet regulatory measures ).
Kodlamane Mystery
1. It is believed that Sages and Rushi worshiped Lord Mahavishnu in ancient time and believed now also they worship in invisible form.
2. It is believed that all Devi Devatas reside here.
3. In the area of Kodlamane any human settlement is not possible.
4.It is believed that every move and talk is monitored hence called as jagrat sthal.
5.In ancient days everyday fresh flowers would be seen in the morning at door of Garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum- Innermost door of Garbhagudi) inspite of locked doors at night. It is believed that a Sanyasi ( who is presiding at Yakshi shrine) used to offer these flowers for Lord Mahavishnu.
This unusual incidence scared the priest who prayed to Lord Mahavishnu to stop this. From that day onwards the incidence has not occurred again.
Pushpa Vrasti
Foundation stone laying ceremoeny for Dinning hall ( bhojan shala) took place on May 19th 2016. It Rained for 2 minutes during hot summer only at Kodlamane during Ganapati, Varun puja (rain God) and again 2 minutes while laying stone at the foundation. This Pushpa Vrasti was witnessed by priests and locals present at the temple.
Spiritual Importance
Devanagari
यश्य स्मरण मात्रेन जन्म सन्सार भन्दनात्
विमुछते नमह तस्मै विष्नवे प्रभु विष्नवे
English
Yashya SmaraN maatren janm sansaar bhandanaat
Vimuchhate namah tasmai viShnave prabhu viSHnave
In Satya Yuga sages wanted a rebirth again in Kali Yuga. Reason behind this was Sages had to perform rigorous tapas to achieve moksha in Krith Yuga and sages were aware that moksha can be achieved in Kali Yuga only by thinking (meditation) of Lord Vishnu.
Hence only Shree MahaVishnu is known as Mokshadata मोक्शदाता श्री महाविष्णु .
One should be lucky to visit this temple at least once in lifetime. It is believed that Shree Mahavishnu resides here who is the supreme of all Gods.
Vedic Architecture
The temple is very beautiful which will take the pilgrims to the world of devotion.
The Temple is designed on Vedic Hindu temple architecture. It has Garbhagriha, Antarala, Sandya Mandap, Maha Mandap, Pradakshina, Subsidery Shrines, Bali Peetha, Garuda Stambha. The Garbhagriha is Sanctum sanctorum facing east where presiding deity Lord Vishnumurthy is residing along with other deities Lord Maheshwar (in the form of Shiva Linga), Lord Ganapati, Devi Durga. Sacred Saligrams are also presnt which is symbol of God Vishnu. Utsav Murthy (Lord Vishnumurthy processional deity)is also residing at Garbhagriha which will be taken out on special occasions.
Lord Vishnumurthy is in standing posture with four hands holding Shanka, Chakra, Gada, Padma. The murthy also called as Vigraha or Idol is carved in sacred black natural stone. Murthy height is about 3.5 ft from peetha to top of crown and peetha is 1.5 ft high. The Garbhagriha is square shape built with natural stones and Shikhara (Gopura or Vimana) above the sanctum sanctorum is octagonal which is also built with natural stones. The roof of Shikhara is covered by Copper sheets ( as itpasses higher energy). Kalash is fixed on top of copper roof called Shikhara Kalash. After the Antarala in Sandya Mandap ther is Kuladevata Stan(place) who is Shree Kamakshi Devi of Shiroda, a Godess of Shakti. The whole set up is called Garbhagudi. The roof of Garbhagudi is coved with copper sheets. The walls and pillars of Garbhagudi are beautifully painted in Kaavi art, depicting Dashavatars of Shree Mahavishnu, Ganapati, Saraswati, Hanumatha, Garuda, Temple chariot, Pallaki, flowers etc.
Whole Garbhagudi is elevated around 3 feet above the pradakshina level. On either side of first door of Garbhagudi there is Jaya-Vijaya beautifully carved in natural black stone. Garbhagudi facing east looking at Holy River of Sharavati which flows within 500 mts.
Garbhagudi has 3 doors. Its door frame carved from natural stone. Beautifully carved wooden doors fixed over the 3 stone door frames and are in descending order in height and width, which shows well planned architecture. Wood used is Shivani for door frame and jack fruit for door leaf. First door of garbhagudi(door of sandya mandap) has Shree Yoga Narasimha on top and Shree Hanuman on left and Shree Garuda on right side. The whole door is matt painted in dark chocolate colour, thus giving feel of stone or metal. Second door which is for Antarala is covered with pure silver and Shree Astha Lakshi on top. Third door which is door of garbhagriha is also covered with pure silver with Shree Lakshmi-Narayan on top. Artists have shown their best in wooden and silver carving. Oil lamps are placed on both sides of garbhagriha door which is very appealing, giving a feel of an ancient temple.
Pilgrims are not allowed to enter garbhagudi.
The pradakshina (going round of garbhagudi clockwise) will lead to other shrines which are Shree Mukhyaprana first on right side facing north and Shree Yakshi or Yakshini Shrine (where sanyasi peetha is presided) on left side facing east. They are called Parivar Devatas. Next it will lead to Yagna Mandap (Yagna Shala). The main temple building door faces east.
In second prakara on east there are other small shrines of Shree Jataka, Shree Nag (serpent god)and Shree Chawndi, Shree Garuda Stamba, Bali Peetha and Tulasi;
on south is Vishnu Tirth, to west is paak shala (temple kitchen) where prasad or naivedya is prepared, to the north is function and dinning halls.
Pilgrims who will enter the main gate of temple from north side will come to second prakara which will lead to temple’s main door. Before entering the main gate there is Shree Kshetra pala Peetha on hill forest, who safeguards the whole temple premise and Kodlamane.
Festivals of Temple
Temple celebrates following festivals, pooja, yagna through out the year,which are celebrated with great splendor and joy.
Starting with Ugadi they are Shree Ramanavami, Shree Hanuma Jayanti, Sudarshan Hawan (yagna), Tulasi Archan only during adheek mas(leap year), Ananta Chaturdashi, Navarathi Pooja with Bhajans (9 day festival), Vanabhojan, Vardanti of Shree Vishumurthy, Shree Mukhyaprana , Shree Yakshi and Ganahoma.
Finally the major festival of the temple is Shree Vishnumurthy Rathostava (Chariot Festival) which is celebrated every year. This is celebrated for 5 days starting from Garuda Stapana, Pushpa Rathostava, Brahma Rathostava, Avabratha Snan in the morning and Teppostava (float festival) in the night ending with Bhajan Mangal. Utsav murthy (processional deity) is taken for procession in pallaki, Ratha and Teppa. The temple will be flooded with Devotees and Pilgrims during this occasion especially on Brahma Rathostav.
Devanagari
रथस्य केशवम द्रस्त्वा पुनर्जन्म न विद्यथे
English
Rathasya Keshavam drastwa Punarjanm na Vidyathe
Meaning- one who will take Darshan of (visit) Lord Vishnu( Keshav) on Ratha will get Moksh - liberation from cycle of death and rebirth.
Temple Puja
Devanagari
विष्णु अलंकार प्र्यिय
शिवा बिल्व प्र्यिय
गणेश दूर्वा प्र्यिय
देवी कुम्कुमार्चना प्र्यिये
Meaning in orderwise
Vishnu is fond of decoration (refereed to idol decoration by tulsi, sacred flowers, precious ornaments etc)
Shiva is fond of bilwa (bael or Aegle marmelos) hence bilva is offered for Shiva lingam.
Ganesha is fond of durva (a type of grass). hence durva is offered for Ganapati puja.
Devi(hindu Goddess) is fond of kumkuma. ( special type of red powder used for hindu religion) offered on her idol with chanting vedic mantra
Temple nitya Puja (daily rituals) has 3 sessions performed by temple archaka (pujari) with chanting vedic mantras. Generally Rigveda based.
Prathahakal puja
Nirmalya Visarjana, Naivedhya, Aarti
Mahapuja
3 types Abhisheka performed.
kherabhisheka - Bathing the idol with milk.
Panchamrita abhisheka - bathing with five sacred liquids which are milk, ghee, honey, liquid jaggery,curd. (sugar is not used),
shuddhodaka snaana - Bathing idol with pure water bought from sacred well.
Then Alankara - decorating the murthy with flowers, tulsi, ornaments and cloth(peetamber).
Offering Maha Naivedhya, Dhoop and Maha Mangalarathi. In between many rituals are done by the archaka.
Ratropuja
Naivedhya, Dhoop and Aarti.
During daily puja archaka plays ghanti (ghanta- a ritual bell) during worship and aarti. Devotees ring temple bells during aarti.
On special occasions conch (Shankha), jaganthi (music instrument used for puja) and Panchavadya (5 musical instruments) are played. Panchvadhya is also referred to as Samaveda.
Only hereditary archaka currently have the right to offer Nitya puja to Lord Vishnumurthy and parivaar devatas. On special occasions archakas from other families also assist him in temple puja.
The nitya puja is also offered to other deities in temples by the archak.
Deities in Temple
1.Lord Vishnumurthy in garbhagriha is the preceding deity of temple facing east, with other devatas in mandan as detailed above. Original Year established - Unknown.
2.Mukhyaprana facing north at first pradakshina path. Year established - 1989
3.Yakshini and Sanyasi facing east at first pradakshina path.Year established - Unknown.
4.Jataka and kshetrapala facing east, Naga and chawndi facing west in second temple prakara.
Temple chariots
Temple chariots were built in the year 1942.
Vishnu Tirth
A natural stream flows on the right side of temple which is called Vishnu Tirth. Hence the name tirth kshetra. In earlier days archaka used to bring this sacred water for abhishekha (ritual bathing) of deities. In the recent years water for abhishekha is bought from the well constructed at first pradakshina path. Devotees taking bath in Vishnu tirth is considered holy and is is believed to purify the body and soul.
Temple Prasad-
Devanagari
शरीरे जर्जरी भूते व्याधिग्रस्ते कलेबरे ।
औषधं जाह्नवीतोयं वैद्यो नारायणो हरिः ॥
3 types of pradad given at temple to pilgrims or devotees.
1-Tirth to drink -water collected after abhishekha of diety.
2.Flower/tulsi prasad to keep - flower, tulsi used for deity decoration (alankara)
3.Prasad to eat- On special occasions or days food offered to deity called Naivedhya.
Sevas at Temple
Many sevas are offered by pilgrims or devotees which is in compliance with temple guidelines.
Banana (riped) bunch for puja is more popular.
Tulabhar - where devotee offers items such as coconut, sugar, jaggery, edible oil equivalent to his weight by sitting in a weighing pan in front of Lord.
Other seva include various types of abhisheka, archana, bhajans, coconut-flower-fruits.
Offerings to god like money, gold, silver etc are called kanike. The box kept for collection is called hundi. Some devotees also offer items like rice, jaggery, coconuts, betel nut etc.
Anna Santarpane - Distributing free lunch to devotees / invitees after offering to deity.
Private worships allowed with prior booking are.
Ganahoma, Satyanarayan puja, Panak/vasanta puja, Laghu Vishnu, Maha Vishnu, Athi Vishnu, thread ceremoney, weddings, chawla etc.
Architecture Conservation and Renovation
In 2016-17 temple authorities undertook conservation of the big chariot which is called as Brahma Ratha has completed 75 years. It took almost 8 months. Many skilled artisans, carpenters etc worked for long hours to complete this task.
In 2014 to 2017 garbhagudi renovation took place. As a result of 3 years hard work by skilled artisans of wood and silver ,heavily and beautifully crafted doors were installed on garbhagriha, antarala and garbhagudi main door.
In 2013-14 temple complex went under beautification works.
In 2013-2017 kavi art on garbhagudi walls was executed.
In 2004 garbhagudi was newly built demolishing the ancient one and temple complex was expanded.
