Soutadka
is a pilgrimage centre located at a distance of 3 km from Kokkada in Nellyadi
Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. The uniqueness of the place is Lord Maha
Ganapathi is out in the open field without a 'Garbha gudi' and temple
structure. It is surrounded by greenery and open round the clock for offering
prayers. About 35 km from Kukke Subramanya Temple is 'Soutadka Shree
Mahaganapathi Kshetra' in the interior of Kokkada. This is about 16 KM from
Dharmasthala. The temple is decorated with lot of Bells mainly, offered by
worshippers who have special wishes. One can find lot of monkeys inside the
temple. The Mahapuja is performed every year in the month of January. The
temple also serves food to all the devotees in the form of prasadam. The temple
is 6 km away from Patrame on the banks of Netravati River.
Belthangady’s
hidden gem, it’s a unique temple with vast expanses of lush greenery. Sitting
cozily in the lap of nature amidst such a tranquil atmosphere is Lord Ganapati.
Popularly known as Maha Ganapati Kshetra, Soutadka in Belthangandy taluk of
Dakshina Kannada district is hailed as one of the many siddhi kshetras of the
district. Surprisingly, not many from outside the district are aware of the
existence of this temple which is located just 20 km away from the pilgrim town
of Dharmasthala. Away from the hustle and bustle of the main road, this temple with
no formal structure surrounding it, offers a unique experience.
A
spacious goshala (cow shed), a row of pretty shops vending pooja materials, a
small temple office where seva tickets and prasada can be bought and a modest
temple kitchen that dishes up tasty naivedya prasada is all that Soutadka
houses. The idol of Lord Ganesha, installed majestically under the bowers of an
ancient tree, is spectacular, to say the least. A shining arch is all that
surrounds the beautiful idol in black stone and, of course, huge brass lamps.
Right in front of the Lord's idol are rows of brass bells tied to wooden beams
for devotees to sound them during the pooja. These bells in various shapes and
sizes are a great attraction among children.
The Name
In
Tulu language, Sowthe means
'cucumber' and adka means 'field'.
Cowherds in this place were growing cucumber and they offered the same to Lord
Ganapathi of this place during their worship. Hence, this place gets the name
as Soutadka.
History
According
to the sthala purana of Soutadka, a Ganapati temple revered by a royal family
was once destroyed by enemies. Not to let the enemies destroy the beautiful
idol of Ganapati that was at the temple, cow herds of the place carried it
along with them and installed it in a place where cucumber was grown in plenty.
Since southe means cucumber and adka means meadow in Tulu, the place soon
gained popularity as Soutadka. The farmers of the place reaped huge harvests of
cucumber, offered it to Lord Ganapati and even wished to build a temple there.
But, according to a popular belief, Ganapati graced their dreams and asked them
not to build a temple for him at Soutadka as that would mean restrictions on
devotees visiting the place to seek his blessings. The Lord expressed his wish
to remain in open air with no formal structure surrounding him so that devotees
could access him round-the-clock. Lord Ganapati’s wish was the farmers’ command
and to this day the Lord sits majestically in the lush green surroundings of Soutadka,
blessing his devotees 24x7.
According to temple authorities, of the many sevas offered at the temple, the most popular one is the avalakki panchakajjaya seva (a delicious mixture of beaten rice, jaggery, til (sesame), coconut, honey and banana) performed on a regular basis. The laddu prasada too shouldn’t be given a miss. One word of caution though: whoever performs the avalakki panchakajjaya seva has to share a fair amount of Lord’s prasada with the many cows around.