Varadapura

Varadapura
Varadapura
Location in Karnataka
Coordinates: [1]
Name
Other names: Varadahalli
Proper name: Varadapura
Location
Country: India
State: Karnataka
District: Shimoga
Locale: Sagara
Elevation: 580 m (1,903 ft)
Architecture and culture
Primary deity: Shri Sri Sridhara Swami
Number of temples: 1

Shri Shri Shri Sridhara Swami Ashram (Shrine) at Varadapura also known as Varadahalli [2](Kannada: ವರದಹಳ್ಳಿ / ವರದಪುರ) is one of the holy and famous hill shrine located at the Sagara taluk, Shimoga District, North Karnataka, India. This Shrine is 6  km from Sagara, 72  km from Shimoga, 352  km from Bangalore and 800  km from Mumbai [3].

Contents

Geography

Latitude 14.78 North, Longitude 74.59 East and Elevation = 580 Meters Above MSL

Saint Shri Shridhar Swami also referred to as "Bhagwan Satguru Shri Shridhar Swami Maharaj" who lived here and spent his last few years, preaching the Dharma and some of his principles to his disciples and led the foundation for this Shrine. Kannada: ವರದಹಳ್ಳಿ / ವರದಪುರ is a very picturesque place, full of Nature's bounties worth visiting even if you are not a disciple of Shridhar Swami and not inclined towards spiritualism, after your visit there, you will become his disciple!

This Shrine consists of Samadhi, Gynan Mandir, Dharma Sthamba, Goshala, Shridhar Teertha.

Samadhi (Tomb) this is the place where all the disciples visit this Ashram (Shrine) as they believe that the saint Shridhar Swami although is omnipresent, he is still in the Ashram (Shrine) always and even with the disciples wherever they are. So the disciple from all over Karnataka frequently visit to the Ashram(Shrine) to seek the blessings of Shridhar Swami.

Gynan Mandir (Meditation room) a place where Shridhar Swami performed meditation.

Dharma Stambha (Crag) with the Dharma Dhwaj(Flag) which is located at the top of the mountain and is 30 feet in height. This Dhwaj(Flag) is made of 5 sacred metals.

Goshala (Cow Shelter) which houses around 250 cows at this Shrine. It is believed that most of these cows go out of Shrine in the morning and assemble back near the shrine during dusk at the time of Aarti.

Shridhar Teertha (Sacred Water) Shridhar Teertha is a continuous source of holy water running 24 hours a day formed by Swami, no one knows the origin of water and there is a pool constructed here to store the holy water. This water which we the disciples believe will run till the existence of the Earth is purest in quality, not found in the areas around and. Even when stored for years together in any clean container, it never loses the fragrance or is never contaminated. It is used by the disciples as the sacred Teertha made available to them by Shridhar Swami for use during calamities in their family lives or during the pooja. It is also believed that this holy water has the power to cure the any kind of disease. Disciples drink and bathe with this holy water. There is small pond at the Shrine where disciples bathe first and then go into this holy water.[4]

The Sridhar Mutt (Shrine) is managed by his own disciples. They are Shridhar's loyal disciples and have no other interest in life apart from worshipping Shridhar Swami and serving the devotees.

Temple activities

Sanskrit Pathshala(School)

Sanskrit Pathshala named after Swami where the students learn the Vedas, the Upanishads and the related spiritual literature.

Prasadam activities

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served by the Shrine for the devotees as a Prasada at a communal dining hall daily.

Lodge and Boarding

Those visiting the Ashram(Shrine) can stay here. They are provided with lodging and boarding facilities.

Transport

Road

Varadahalli is well connected by road network, below are some of Route list:

1.Bangalore-Tumkur-Tiptur-Arasikere-Kadur-Bhadravathi-Shimoga-Sagara-Varadapura.

2.Bellary-Hospet-Hagaribommanahalli-Harihar-Shimoga-Sagara-Varadapura.

3.Mysore-Channarayapattana-Arasikere-Kadur-Shimoga-Sagara-Varadapura.

4.Davangere-Harihara-Shimoga-Sagara-Varadapura.

5.Mumbai-Pune-Hubli-Sagara-Varadapura.

Note: We do not have a direct K.S.R.T.C(Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) Buses available to Varadapura from Bangalore. Need to catch the Bus till Shimoga and local bus to Sagara and finally Auto_rickshaw to Varadapura.

Railway station

Bangalore-Shimoga. Alight at the place Shimoga and than need to catch a local Bus to Sagara and finally Auto_rickshaw to Varadapura.

Airport

International Airport is at Bangalore. The nearest Airport is at Hubli.

References

  1. ^ "SRIDHARA-ASHRAMA-Varadahalli". http://wikimapia.org/5254233/SRIDHARA-ASHRAMA-Varadahalli. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
  2. ^ "Varadahalli Sridhar Swami Mutt(Shrine)". http://www.karnatakaholidays.com/varadahalli-sridhara-mutt.php. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
  3. ^ "Bengaluru Weekend Gateway - Varadahalli". http://www.wknd.in/cities/1-Bengaluru/places/38-Varadahalli. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
  4. ^ "Varadahalli". http://shimogalistings.com/listing/varadahalli.html. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 

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