Search This Blog

Kudli Utsav

 


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.