Vidhuraashvattha is a small and
ancient village located in the Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapura district
near the Karnataka - Andhra Pradesh border.
The name of the place, Vidhuraashvattha is derived from of a Huge 'Ashwatha' (Ficus religiosa) tree located in this village.
Legend
According to the legend, during
the times of Mahabharatha, this Ashwatha tree was planted by Vidura, a courtier
in the kingdom of Dhritarashtra; and hence the name Vidhuraashvattha.
Unfortunately, this ancient tree fell to the ground in the year 2001.
There is also a temple dedicated
to Naga Devatha, which is as old as the tree, here people do the prathishtapana (Installation) of the
naga idol, to fulfill their wishes, such as having child, to achieve in their
business, etc. The pooja and worship is done here to get rid of all problems
concerned with Naga dosha or Sarpa dosha.
Vidhuraashvattha is also called as
the Jallianwala Bagh of the South.
Distance from Vidhuraashvattha
Bangalore: 100 km
Gauribidanur: 6 km
How to get there
Nearest Airport: Bangalore
Nearest Railway Station:
Gauribidanur and Hindupur
Road: Vidhuraashvattha is well
connected by road network.
Reaching Vidhuraashvattha from
Bangalore
One can reach Vidhuraashvattha
from Bangalore Via Yelahanka, Doddaballapur and Gairibidanur.
Temple Timings
Daily Morning 8 AM to 8.30 PM
The name Vidhuraashvattha is came from a huge Ashwatha (sacred fig) tree located in this village. According to a legend during the period of Mahabharata, this tree was planted by Vidura (Vidura was the illegitimate brother of Dhirtharashtra and Pandu), an aristocrat in the kingdom of Dhritarashtra. In the year 2001, this ancient Ashwatha tree fell to the ground.
Legend
The legend says that Yamadharma
Raja was cursed to be born as a human being and was thus born as Vidura. After
seeing all the bloodshed during the war, Vidura became remorseful and asked
Krishna for salvation. Krishna asked him to go for a theerthayatra
(pilgrimage).
After visiting many places, Vidura
came to this place, which was actually a hermitage of Maithreya Maharishi. Once
during sandhyavandhana in the river, Vidura got a small sapling when he was
about to offer argya to Surya.
Maithreya Maharishi asked Vidura
to worship the sapling to get salvation. With great devotion, Vidura worshiped
the sapling and Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, pleased with the devotion, gave him
dharshan, and thus the name of the location became Vidura Ashwatha.
There is a Naga Devatha temple
here and people do Prathistapana (Installing) of Naga Silas to ward off Naga
Doshas.
Aswatha Vruksha Stotra (Shloka to chant)
Moolatho Brahma roopaya madhyatho
Vishnu roopine
Agrathah Shiva roopaya Vruksha rajaya te namaha