Kudli or Koodli is a small village
in Shimoga District. Kudli is the place where two rivers, the Tunga River and Bhadra Rivers meet to give rise to the Tungabhadra River.
Location
Kudli is 16 km from Shivamogga,
a place where rivers Tunga and Bhadra flow together, hence the name Kudli. It
has a smartha monastery stated to have been founded in the 16th century by
Jagadguru NrisimhaBharathi Swamigalu of Sringeri. Within the premises of the Mutt,
there are shrines of Sharadamba and Shankaracharya. Outside, there are two
temples of Hoysala times dedicated to Rameshwara and Narasimha. Koodali is also
known as Varanasi of the south. It is home to Rushyashrama, Brahmeshwara,
Narasimha and Rameshwara temples. The 600-year-old Mutt of Shankaracharya still
stands with inscriptions of Hoysala and Okkeri kings.
History:
The place has a historic value with temples near Hoysala
time. There are shasanas carved near
the temples that indicate the era when they were built. The exact dates are
disputed, but the sculptures date back to age old Indian culture and look
exotic. There are various temples - small and large ones built by the rulers
who ruled this place in the age old era.
Religion:
The 12th century Rameshwara Temple is located in the area. There is also a Sri Chintamani Narasimha
Swamy Temple beside the Sangameshwara temple. It is believed to be installed
and worshipped by Sri Prahlada.
The rivers are worshipped and considered to be sacred. A small temple with Nandi
denotes the exact point where the two rivers meet, and is considered to be
sacred.
There are two Mutts (schools) in Kudli. One is Shankara Mutt
(Advaita
Philosophy) & the other being Akshobhya Thirtha Mutt (Dvaita
Philosophy).
Kudli Arya Akshobhya Thirtha Mutt
The Mutt was established by Sri Akshobhya Thirtha (a
prominent disciple of Sri Madhvacharya) around the 13th or 14th century. This Mutt was bifurcated
when Akshobhya thirtha fell ill and his disciple Sri Jayatirtha
was on pilgrimage. Knowing that the time had came for him to enter vrindavana, he ordered one of his
disciples to be the pontiff of the Uttaradi Mutt till Sri Jayatirtha returned. Akshobhya tirtha named him as
Sri Trailokyabhushana tirtha, and went into the vrindavan. He had ordered Sri Trailokyabhushana thirtha to return
all the belongings and deity's of Sri Uttaradi Mutt to Sri Jayatirtha once he
came back from pilgrimage, in a ceremonius way, and ordered that Sri Jayatirtha
would become the next pontiff of Sri Uttaradi Mutt. So when Sri Jayatirtha
returned, Sri Trailokyabhusana handed him all the belongings and deity's of Sri
Uttaradi Mutt in a ceremonious way. Looking at the respect of Sri
Trailokyabhushana, Sri Jayatirtha handed him some idols and belongings of Sri
Uttaradi Mutt and advised him to create his own samsthana. So Sri
Trailokyabhushana founded Sri Kudli Arya Akshobhya Tirtha Mutt at Kudli. The Mutt
has a rich tradition and is famed for its knowledge of Sanskrit
& Madhvacharya's philosophy. There have been three peetadhipathis till
date. The current peetadhipathi is H.H. Sri Raghuvijaya Thirta.