DAY 2 - MURDESHWARA - ANNEGUDA - UDUPI - KATEEL - PANUMBUR

DAY 2 :

•        Murdeshwara temple (MURDESHWARA)
•        Anneguda (KUNDAPURA.)
•        Sri Krishna Mutt (UDUPI.)
•       Goddess Durga Parameshwari, (KATEEL)
•        Panambur beach (PANUMBUR)

DESTINATION 1:  Murdeshwara temple (MURDESHWARA)

As told by the Guide, we were all ready by 6:00 a.m and we started to Murdeshwara, which is around 3 hours journey from kollur.. He stopped by Bhatkal for breakfast.. We had a great breakfast, (Dont forget to eat Mangalore Bajji while you are, in & around Mangalore)  and headed to  Murdeshwara.

 As usual guide started telling story about this place. Ravana,the demon-king of Lanka, performes a penance and receives the atmalinga from Shiva. Shiva tells Ravana that the sacred atmalinga should not be placed on the ground as it would establish itself where placed on earth.On his way back to Lanka, Ravana stops for his evening prayers at Gokarna.To prevent Ravana from getting powerful atmalinga, Ganesha,in the disguise of a cow boy, agrees to hold the atmalinga until Ravana finishes his prayers. Ganesh struck a deal with him saying that he would call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana did not return within that time, he would place the AtmaLinga on the ground.As predicted, before Ravana could return after completing his rituals, Ganesh had already placed the AtmaLinga on the ground.Ravana tries to extricate it, resulting in throwing the coverings of the Linga to Surathkal, Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwar, Murudeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples. So the linga here in Murdeshwara,  is believed to be a piece of the original Atma Linga and is about 2feet below ground level. It was told that the devotees performing special sevas can view the deity by standing before the threshold of the Sanctum and the Lingam is illuminated by oil lamps held close by the priests..

We reached Murdeshwara around 8:00am, Murudeshwara  is a town in the Bhatkal which lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea . It  has world's second-tallest Shiva statue &  20-storied Gopura &  Murudeshwara (Lord Shiva) Temple. Temple is very famous for its Scenic beauty. Temple is surrounded by  water on three sides, looking like an island. Place is awesome with  cool breeze having  beach on all 3 sides, and top to it, it was drizzling making it more chill.

We got darshanam in 10 mins.And walked up the stairs to see idols in the theme park including Tallest Shiva statue about an 143 ft.high , Ravana giving atmalinga to ganesha, Bhagvadgeeta updesham by sri krishna, surya bhagavan on his chariot.. We were supposed to take a lift to reach top of 20-storied Gopura to see view from that height, seeing huge queue for the Lift, we decided to spend time in Beach.  By then guide starting calling everyone, as we were getting late for other places.

         

DESTINATION 2:  Anneguda (KUNDAPURA.)

From murdeshwara, kundapura is around 1.5 hrs journey, it was around 11:30am, when we reached  Annegudda temple. Its a single temple structure  dedicated to the Lord vinayaka. It is believed when drought hit this area sage Agasthya came here to perform yagna to please the rain god. The demon Kumbhasura tried to disrupt the yagna by troubling the sages performing the yagna. To rescue the sages Lord Ganesha blessed Bheema, the strongest among the Padavas with a sword, using which Bheema killed the demon and facilitated the completion of the yagna. Inside the main sanctum sanctorum we can see the majestic figure of 'Sri Siddhi Vinakaya' in resplendent Silver Armor, in standing posture. Of the four arms two are "varada hasta" indicating his inclination to grant boons. Two hands point to his feet, as a means to salvation. Guide told us that Anegudde is rewarded one of the seven 'Mukti Sthalas' of  karnataka (Parashurama kshetra). He also told tulabharam,( a custom of offering to God valuables in weight equivalent of a person) is frequently done in this Temple by devotees. Auspicious ceremonies like wedding, naming ceremony etc are also held here. We got darshanam in 10 mins, and headed to next place. Timings is 6 am to 9 am.

DESTINATION 3:  Sri Krishna Mutt (UDUPI.)

Udupi is around  45 mins journey from Annegudda. Udupi is famous for  Udupi mutt, built in 13th century  by Madhvacharya.

The idol of Shri Krishna installed at the Shri Krishna Temple is carved out of Shalagrama Shila. Legend has it that Rukmini herself was worshipping this idol at Dwaraka. When Shri Krishna disappeared from this world Arjuna deposited this idol in the spot called 'Rukmini Vana' When dwaraka city was submerged into sea, the idol of lord Krishna got covered with sandlewood. And in later centuries, this idol was carried by a mariner who took it for a sandlewood lump. When the ship was caught in a storm on the western coast  in the middle of the journey, Sri Madhvacharya pulled the ship out of storm with his saffron robe and calmed the sea storm through his divine powers. As a gesture of gratitude, Mahdhvacharya received sandalwood lump from mariner. The saint then, bathed the idol with water, purified it and installed it in the temple. There is one more story associated with Udupi temple.

Later in 16th century, Kanakadasa,staunch follower of lord Krishna  was not allowed to enter the temple as he belonged to a lower caste. When Kanakadasa prayed lord Krishna, he was pleased with the devotion of Kanakadas, and the idol which was facing to east, turned to west and western wall collapsed so that Kanakadasa could have darshan, A small window was constructed at the breach later. The idol of Lord Krishna is still today worshipped through the window. This window came to be known as Kanakana kindi (window).

We reached udupi around  1:00, guide told us to visit  Krishna mutt, and Chandra Mouleeshwara Temple ,and have lunch there itself.  We first visited krishna mutt,  Lord Krishna's idol here is very fascinating, which is richly adorned with jewels. And one need to get darshana through Navratna kitki(Window), we then went to ChandraMouleeshwara temple and  finished lunch, and  started to next place...

DESTINATION 4:  Goddess Durga Parameshwari, (KATEEL)

From udupi, kateel is around an hours journey, while travelling, Guide mahesh told us this wonderful story  about  Durga Parameshwari temple. Long time back a severe drought  hit this place and there was no rain for many years. Great Sage Jabali was disturbed by this situation, and wanted to put an end to human sufferings and decided to perform a yagna to please the devas. He requested  to Devendra permit him to take Kamadenu(the holy cow) for the yagna. Devendra asked Jabali to take Kamadhenu's daughter Nandini instead. Nandini refused to accompany Jabali to earth since evil was predominant there. After a lot of arguments, Jabali  cursed that she be born as a river on earth. Realizing her mistake, Nandini prayed for mercy. Relenting, Jabali advised her to pray to Goddess Durga to redeem her from the curse, Nandini appealed to Goddess Durga who appeared to her and informed her that though Nandini would be born as a river in fulfillment of the curse,  Durga herself, would be born as Nandini's daughter at the center of the river, and in the process, Nandini would attain purification. On Magha shudda Poornima, Nandini emerged as a river from Kanakagiri. Jabali performed his yagna. The devas were pleased and the earth was once again happy.

Elsewhere Arunasura acquired a boon from Brahma that he would not suffer death from any 2 legged or 4 legged being or from any weapon. After acquiring these powers, Arunasura defeated the devas and conquered heaven. The Devas prayed Goddess Durga for help. One day Goddess appeared in Arunasura's garden as a beautiful woman.  Seeing the lady, Arunasura approached her. The beautiful lady reminded him that she is the one who had killed Shumbhasura and from whom Arunasura had escaped death. Arunasura got angry and tried to kill the woman with sword. The Goddess suddenly turned into a stone. Arunasura slashed the stone with the sword, then a vast swarm of bees emerged from the stone and stung him.The bees (dhumbi) stung him repeatedly till his last breath. Devas led by Jabali performed abhisheka with tender coconut water and requested the Bhramarambika (Queen of the bees) to bless the world. Goddess Durga then appeared in her 'Soumya Roopa' (calm form) in the middle of the river, where the present structure of the temple imparts its glory to the world.

We reached temple around  3:30. To enter into the temple, we  have to cross a small bridge. the sound made by the flowing river in the temple premises is enchanting to hear.  We     freshened up, got darshan of  Durga Parameshwari, and went around the temple, which is surrounded by river and greenary all around, thus making it a picturesque location. We were supposed to go  Kadri Manjunatha temple, but guide told us we can visit it tom morning, so we will get more time in Panambur beach.

DESTINATION 5: Panambur beach(PANAMBUR)

We reached Panumbur beach around 5:00 pm.  We bought some chats and  sat in beach, enjoying the cool breeze and chats. Only when guide called us back realized we have spent   almost 2 hrs there. We took some snaps, and headed to suratkal (our halth place of the day).

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