Piyu's World

  SRINGERI – THE TEMPLE TOWN AROUND SHARADA PEETHAM Sringeri gets its name from Rishi Shringya, son of Rishi Vibhandaka. In fact, the full name is RishiShringra Giri, Giri meaning mountain. The etymology and the name tracing back to the days of the Rishis tells us that this place has been inhabited for a very long time. On the Banks of Tunga River Sringeri, as we see it today, owes its history, heritage, and lineage to Adi Shankaracharya. The town today revolves around the Shardamba Temple and Sharada Peetham set up by him in 8th CE, with Tunga River flowing between them. Temples of Sringeri The town has 40 or more temples. We visited some of them and here is what we saw: Sharadamba Temple Gopuram of Sharadamba Temple We entered the Sharadamba Temple through its tall Raj Gopuram that is a very recent addition to the temple complex built in 2014. Being the tallest structure, it is visible from anywhere in and around the town. It defines the skyline of this small temple town and the ...

  SRI KRISHNA MUTT UDUPI – POPULAR TEMPLE WITH DEVOTEES Situated on the Western coast of India, Udupi the land of temples welcomes devotees with open arms. At the heart of this Parshurama Kshetra, lies the Sri Krishna Mutt Udupi along with ancient Chandramoulishwara and Anantheshwara temples. History of Sri Krishna Mutt, Udupi Even before the establishment of this popular temple, Udupi was already a sacred land. The ancient temples of Chandramoulishwara and Anantheshwara drew many devotees over the years. Born in Pajaka in 1238 CE, a village 12km south of Udupi, Sri Madhavacharya established not only  Dwaith philosophy  but also laid the roots of the Sri Krishna Temple. Sri Krishna Mutt Udupi According to folklore, when Sri Krishna’s wife  Rukmini  requested her husband for the Murti of Balkrishna (the child form of the Sri). Sri Krishna entrusted Vishwakarma with the task of designing the Murti. He made a beautiful Murti with the sacred Saaligrama stone and gav...

  SRI CHAMUNDESHWARI TEMPLE ON CHAMUNDI HILLS IN MYSURU Sri Chamundeshwari Temple is one of the 18 Shaktipeethas mentioned by Adi Shankaracharya. It is located on the Chamundi hills close to the city of Mysuru (formerly called Mysore) which is associated with the legend of Devi. Story of Chamundeshwari Devi Chamunda or Chamundeshwari comes in the stories of Devi as mentioned in Devi Mahatmya or Durga Saptashati as part of Markandeya Purana. In this text, Devi takes different swaroops or manifestations to kill different asuras who appear from time to time. The manifestation that killed the twin asuras of Chanda and Munda came to be known as Chamunda. Decorated idol of Chamundeshwari Devi She is also the one who killed half man half buffalo asura Mahishasura and is therefore known as Mahishasura Mardini. It is believed that Mahishasur was killed here on Chamundi hills and hence the city of Mysuru derives its name from the Asura. This is not uncommon at all.  Kolhapur  deriv...