HYDERABAD TO SRINGERI

BALLARI - CHALLAKERE - CHITRADURGA - BHADRAVATI - SRINGERI.

 ADI SHANKARA TEMPLE
This is the place where Adi Shankara established the first Mutt/monastery and entrusted it to
His disciple, Sureshwara Acharya, pursuing studies in Yajurveda. The two temples here are the
abodes of Devi Sharadamba, an incarnation of Devi Saraswati as well as Lord
Vidyashankara.
The atmosphere is so calming and serene that u can just slip into meditation here. If interested
one can do a Kumkumarchana at the Saradamba temple.
The Mutt and the temples are on either sides of the Tunga river. The temples serve
Annadanam too.

MALAYALA BRAHMA TEMPLE

Malayala Brahma Temple is located in the proximity of Sri Sharadamba Temple. Kshetra Palaka,
the caretaker of the mutt, is popularly known as the Malayala Brahma. According to legends, a
Malayala Brahmana scholar became a Brahma rakshasa as he was cursed for not sharing his
knowledge. He was advised to serve as Kshetra Palaka by Sage Vidyaranya to get rid of the curse.

VIDYASANKARA TEMPLE

Vidyasankara Temple was built by a sage called Vidyaranya in 1338 AD. The temple is devoted to
Vidyashankara, who is believed to have resided here in the 14th century. The structure of the
temple reflects the Southern Indian, Dravidian, Chalukyan and Vijayanagara architectural styles.
It has various inscriptions reflecting the contributions made by the rulers of the Vijayanagara
Kingdom.

The temple is rectangular in shape and has around 12 pillars, popularly known as the zodiac
pillars. These pillars have carvings of twelve zodiac symbols. All the pillars were designed with
the help of astronomical concepts. The garbha griha has an idol of Goddess Durga and Lord
Vidya Ganesha. The idols of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Maheshwara, along with their
consorts are also enshrined in the garbha griha.

Another attraction of the temple is the central ceiling , known for its architecture. Other roofs of
this temple have sloping channelled slabs. Carvings of images of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva,
Goddess Kali, Shanmukha, the Dasavataras and various animals can be seen in the basement of
the shrine. During the Kartika Shukla Paksha, the festival of Vidyatirtha Rathotsava is celebrated
in this temple.

SRI KALABHAIRAVA TEMPLE

Sri Kalabhairava Temple is dedicated to the deity called Ksetra Pala. This temple is located in the
eastern region of Sringeri and is believed to have been consecrated by Sri Shankara. The
idol of the presiding deity has a prabhavali and four hands, holding a damaru, khadga, trishula
and munda. A statue of a dog called Vahana is seen behind the main idol and is believed to have
motivational powers.

KIGGA
Kigga is a village located at a distance of around 10 km from Sringeri. This village is famous for
its landscapes and the trekking route that leads to the peak of Narasimha Parvatha. One of the
major attractions of this village is an ancient temple devoted to Saint Rishyasringa, who is
mentioned in the Ramayana. The Ashram of Rishi Vasishtha and Sirimane Falls are the
other attractions of this village. Trekking, hiking, rock climbing and camping are some of the
activities that can be enjoyed here. The name Sringeri is the vernacular version of Rishyasringa-
giri, Rishyasringa Linga meaning hill of Rishyasringa. According to legend, the Rishis
Vibhandaka and his son Rishyasringa lived here. Rishyasringa is famous as the Rishi who
brought rains to the drought-stricken kingdom of Romapada, after which he married the
princess Santa. Lord Rama’s father, King Dasaratha, invited Rishyasringa to be the officiating
priest at his sacrifice to obtain sons. This legend connects Sringeri to the ancient epic poem, the
Ramayana. There is a temple dedicated to Rishyasringa and Santa at Kigga, around 9 kms. from
Sringeri. The Sivalinga consecrated in the sanctum has a horn on the head, depicting
Rishyasringa Rishi. The ancient site of Rishi Vasishtha’s Asrama is also nearby.
 ANNAPOORNESHWARI TEMPLE
Horanadu City is surrounded by vegetation, dense forests and ghats. It is famous for an old
temple, the Annapoorneshwari Temple. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Annapoorneshwari,
one of the incarnations of Goddess Durga. The idol of this deity is placed on a peeta and holds a
chakra and a shankha. The temple also has an idol of Sri Chakra Gayathri Devi and is
believed to have been installed here in 1973.

KALASA

 Three important rivers, the Tunga, the Bhadra and the Nethravathi are said to have their
origin here. Kalasa is home to the Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kalasa is
also renowned for a shrine of goddess Bhagavathi and a Varaha within a cave.

AGUMBE
Agumbe is one of the most scenic places on the Western Ghats in Karnataka. It is lying in the
Thirthahalli taluk and the Malnad region and surrounded by dense lush green forests, small
streams and ghats.

Agumbe is famous for spectacular sunset and many visitors come here to watch it. The sunset
here gets reflected from the Arabian Sea onto the horizon. The best season for viewing sunset of
Agumbe is from November to January.

Agumbe is also known Cherrapunji of South India because this place receives highest rainfall in
Karnataka state.

Agumbe is also popular for exciting trekking routes. There are three waterfalls near to Agumbe
the "Onake Abbi falls", "Barkana falls" and the "Jogigundi falls".
 ANEGUDDE

Ganapati
Kumbhashi is famous for its two Temples, namely, Mahalingeshwara and Anegudde
Vinayaka. The name of the place is said to be derived from Kumbhasura who was slain here.
Inscriptions mention this place as Kumbha-Kashi.
It is one of the seven places of pilgrimage in the region called “Parashurama Srishti” or
the creation of Saint Parashurama.
 DUDHSAGAR FALLS

DHARWAD - HEBSUR - AIHOLE