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I had been to Kukke Sri Subramanya, Dharmasthla Sri Manjunatheshwara and Sringeri Sharadambal Temples with my family members.

At all the places had the peaceful darshanam of God and Goddess . Being the month of Jan all temples were floating with Ayyapa devoties every where. Atmosphere was very good and chilling. For Chennaities these weather is not tolarable atleast for me…

Left Bangalore on Satuarday night and reached Kukke Subramanya in the early morning by 5.15pm. By that time already temple streets were filled by devoties, chatrams were full and neatness were vanished away. People visiting the temples doesnt have the civic sense spoiling the temple atmosphere. Spitting every where, Public toilet of chatram seems to be cleaned long back, even holy river Kumara Dhara and stream inside the temple along the Aadi Subramnya look like the drainage. God only has to save his place. We went to river for bath, there also the same thing. No proper arrangements for bathing on the river bank, Not enough light, rooms for changing the cloths, toilets without lite and cleanness. Oh god ………keeping aside all these keeping the holyness of the river in mind had bath in Kumara Dhara in the chilling weather. After two dips temparature was normal.

After having the breakfast left to Sri kshetra Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple.

Had the darshan of Lord subramanya and left to Aadi Subramanya the origin place of this sacred place nearby.

By noon we have reached the Dharmasthala and there also it was very crowd as all the Ayyappa devotes gathered there. We got the room to stay at “VAISHALI” rest room. In Dharmasthala everything look clean, systematic and one can feel…all the efforts by present dharmadhikari Sri Veerendra Heggade. Words are not enough to explain the history and works by Heggade family. visit the below temple official website for more details.

www.shri dharmasthala.org

“People in front of Sri Dharmaasthala Manjunateshwara Temple”

Night we had the darshan of Lord Manjunateshwara and took the prasadam at Annapurna dining hall of temple.

Early morning we left for another sacred place Sringeri Sharadamba temple, Sringeri.

There is no direct bus from Dharmasthala to Sringeri. One has to change the three buses to reach the 125 km distance. by 10 am reached the temple. Present at temple main entrance a very big Gopuram construction has begin and the entrance is from behind the administrative office.

Went to Tunga river freshen ourself s and visited the Chandra mouleshwara temple.

Temple an outstanding architecture. Sculptures look lively. It is a Photographers paradise. Next visited all the temples in the premises and went to Sharadambal’s darshan. Two eyes are not enough to see the Ammas beauty , you have to open inner eyes to see her. We have to salute Sri Aadi Shakaracharyas vision to establish the Sharadamba Peetam here. In the evening we went to Narashimha Vana where the previous Jagadgurus Samdhi, Guru’s residence, Prayer hall, Deer park, Temple elephants are located. Present Pontiff Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal gives darshan to devotees every day when they are in Sringeri. We had his darshan and prasadam from his hands and returned to Sharadambal temple again. Night once again had the darshan and had the prasadam at temple and left to Bangalore on the same night. More Information on Sringeri is available on the temple official website – http://www.sringeri.net.

Travel Information :.

Dharmasthala and Kukke Subramanya.

-> From Chennai take Mangalore Express and alight at Mangalore Railway station. From State Bank bustand frequent KSRTC buses ply between Mangalore and Dharmasthala. 100 KM. Dharmasthala to Kukke Subramany is 45km and buses are thre. Travel time 1 – 1/2 hr. People visiting from Bangalore having direct buses from Kempegowda Bus Terminus (Majestic) to Kukke Subramanya or Dharmasthala directly. Even Train is available for Kukke Subramanya it is on Mangalore – Bangalore Railway line.

-> For Sringeri from Dharmasthala buses going towards Chickamagalore, Shimoga, Hubli..will give stop at KOTTIGEHARA get down here and catch the bus to BALEHONNUR and from there buses available to Sringeri. Plan to reach Sringeri within evening as temple rooms may not available in the night and festival seasons. Sringeri to Bangalore direct buses are available and towards Chennai catch the bus towards Mangalore direct buses available from Sringeri and from Mangalore Catch the train to Chennai.

Dharmasthala to Kottigehara is 48 Kms – Kottegehara to Balehonnur is 37 Kms and Balehonnur to Sringeri is40 Kms.

Near By places form Sringeri—> Horanadu Sri Annapoorneshwari, Kalasa, Kollur Mookambike.

© Photos N write up Ramesha JS

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