Sri Guru Narasimha temple is situated between two thirtha lakes called
Shanka and Chakra thirtha within Saligrama panchayat limits. It is adjacent
to National highway 17, and at a distance of around 20km (northward) from
the temple town of Udupi in the current Udupi District of Karnataka State
in Indian subcontinent.
The idol of Lord Sri Guru Narasimha is carved out of Saligrama rock
and has a history of more than a thousand years.
http://kootabandhu.org/index.htm
Shree Guru Narasimha
Sri Yogananda Narasimha idol is facing west and has its right hand
holding chakra(disc) and its left hand holding shanka (conch).
The picture shows the original artistic idol with prabhavali. Historian
Late Dr. P. Gururaja Bhat has identified this idol as one among the ancient
idols
available in Karnataka and has assigned it to the eight century A.D.
Kshetra Mahatme...
To enable every Koota Brahmin to know the scantity of the kshetra,
breif Kshetra Mahatme of the temple is given here.
Pushkara Khanda chapter of Padma purana has details of this temple.
Suta Puranika narrated this mahatme on the request of Muni Pungavas.
The land mass given by Samudra Raja on the request of Parashurama ranging
from the current Gokarna on the North to Kanyakumari on the south is called
Parashurama Kshetra.
This place has many important Thirta Kshetras and Thirta Sarovaras.
Narada Muni visited the place between Seetha river and Kumbha Kashi
kshetra where many Koota Muni Pungavas where meditating, after taking holy
dip in different theerta sarovaras and meditating at thirta kshetras.
During this time a unexpected event happened at this place. Earth shook
and there was a thunderous sound. All animals were scared and birds circled
the sky. There was heavy winds and the freightned Munis came to Narada
and requested for protection. Suddenly they heard a Divya Vani that preached
about Narasimha Vichara.
The Divya Vani informed that an idol of Lord Narasimha, holding Shanka
and Chakra in both hands and seated in Yogananda Posture that is worshiped
by Brahma and Rudra is sitated between Shanka and Chakra thirta in middle
of a Ashwatta (people) tree. This will be installed by Narada Muni. Narada
agreed that he had realized the same during his meditation.
They searched and found the statue of Lord Narasimha and prayed to
him. Narada then installed the statue of Lord Narasimha in between Shanka
and Chakra Theertha. On Narada's prayer Lord Narasimha appeared and as
per his request agreed to be there in the location permanently.
This place in the middle of Koota Kshetra, where Lord Narasimha resides
in Saligrama idol is called Saligrama. Devotees will acheive all their
desires by worshipping this Saligrama idol. Taking holy dip in Chakra Theertha
rids one of all diseases and fear of enemy. Holy dip in Shanka Theerta
clenses one from all the sins. One who takes holy dip in both the theerthas
and worships Narasimha will attain prosperity.
According to Skanda Purana Sahyadri Kanda, learned Brahmin families
under the leadership of Bhattacharya, came to present day Saligrama from
Ahichatra on the banks of Godavari river, on the request of King Lokaditya.
King Lokaditya wanted to reinstate learned Brahmins in his kindgom for
the prosperity of the kingdom. Maha Yagna's like "Atiratra" were performed
by these Brahmins on request of King Lokadithya. Before starting these
yagnas, "to avoid obstacles" these learned, prayed to Lord Ganapathi and
obtained blessings.
Bhattacharya was delighted to see elephants and lions living together,
a situation which he had already experienced during his meditation and
named this place "Nirvairya Sthala" meaning "Enemy less abode". This is
signified by the symbolic representation of elephant in the form of Lord
Ganapathi and Lion in the form of Lord Narasimha, even till this date in
the Saligrama temple.
The idol is facing west and has chakra in right hand and conch shell
in the left hand.
King Lokaditya allocated 14 villages to Brahmins who accompanied Bhattacharya
and requested them to stay there and perform yagas and yajnas.
While returning back to Ahichatra, Bhattacharya instructed his disciples
staying back, to worship Lord Narasimha as both Guru and Lord.
From those days we Koota Brahmins worship Lord Narasimha as both Guru
and Lord.
History...
Vidwan Maha Jagathu: From age old days "Vidwan Maha Jagathu", a democratic
assembly of learned elders, used to assemble at Sri Guru Narasimha Temple
and give judgment on all problems (Dharmic & Social) of the Kota Brahmin
community, brought before the assembly. It would give punishments, wherever
necessary and even excommunicate them from their cast, when they disobeyed
Dharmic rules, as can be seen from the proceedings of 1906, 1921, 1931.
But when the persons so punished, started questioning in the civil courts,
the system collapsed.
Formation of Koota Maha Jagathu: In 1952 an advocate of Kundapura,
N. Madappa Urala took steps to revive "Vidwan Maha Jagathu" in the name
of "Koota Maha Jagathu" and formed a committee under the president ship
of H. Balarama Hande, then managing trustee of Sri Guru Narasimha Temple,
with Anandarama Basri as Secretary. Gangadhara Aithal and G.Venkatramana
Maiya joined as joint Secretaries.
On 10-5-1954 "Koota Maha Jagathu" was registered, after framing rules
and regulations. G.V. Maiya toured extensively both in fourteen Villages
around Kota, outside in Dakshina Kannada District and in neighboring states
of Mysore, Madras, Andhra etc, where ever Kota Brahmins had settled down.
He established branches and collection centers at Kota, Mangalpady, Mangalore,
Bangalore, Bantwal and Madras. He used to visit regularly the above places
and collect "Guru Kanike". He was instrumental in creating awareness about
the Temple as "Guru Sthana" of the community. He regularly maintained audited
accounts. Later branches where opened at Panambur, Kumble, Vorkady. Members
of Bangalore branch started participating regularly in the Temple car festival
and arranged for illumination, sound system, Yakshagaana, Santharpana etc.
in a effort to give more color to the "Jaathra".
Improvements to the temple: In the beginning of 20th century, the Jogi
Ambagilu was renovated with roof repair work and laid with new roofing
tiles, by Barkoor Kuchoor family. Installation of granite stone hebbagilu,
construction of first floor on huge wooden pillars and beams with tiled
roof on top, repairs to shankha thirtha ( on sourthern side of temple),
laying granite slabs in the floor of inner prakara, building Agrasale were
done in stages by Koota Maha Jagathu with the contributions from members
who had settled outside. To facilitate the pilgrims coming from distant
places, arrangements were made to build a Choultry. D. Ganapayya gave land
on the Southern side of Sri Guru Narasimha Temple for this purpose and
Koota Maha Jagathu Madras branch built Madras choultry, while P.N.Hebbar
an hotelier from Bangalore and the then trustee of the temple, built Hebbar
choultry with each building having three rooms. (Later in 2001 Koota Maha
Jagathu built “Koota Bandhu Bhavan” in the vacant space between the two
choultries). Arrangements were made to provide utensils for the pilgrims
to do their own cooking. Between 13-3-1969 and 21-7-1970 the Bangalore
branch of Koota Maha Jagathu completely rebuilt the Garbha Gudi in granite
stone. Thirtha Mantap and Naganakatte were renovated on 31-3-1971. Seshappa
Holla an hotelier from Bangalore installed granite “Dwajasthambha” on 1-3-1973.
In 1973 Narasimha Maiya and K.R. Nagappayya Herle built a concrete roof
between Thirthamantap and Hebbagilu. Under this on the northern side was
built a shrine for Ganesha and in the southern side was built a shrine
for Durga.
Veda Patashala: In order to have "Veda Ghosha" every day in the Temple,
a Vedic School was started by Koota Maha Jagathu in 1959 in the choultry
nearby and Ambalkere Laxminarayana Hebbar & Gundmi Narasimha Sharthry,
both Vedic scholars were appointed as veda teachers. Students local and
outside were given scholarship and arrangements were made for them to stay
and study in the choultry and quiet a few well known purohits of today
were trained at this patashala. In December 1963 a misunderstanding arose
between the treasurer G.V.Maiya and one of the teachers A.L.Hebbar and
ultimately the school had to be closed due to the teachers walking out,
the treasurer G.V.Maiya locking up the rooms of the choultry. He also fell
out with the president.
Vasudeva Karanth as President of Koota Maha Jagathu: Late. K. Vasudeva
Karanth, was a retired Electrical Engineer and had settled down in Mangalore
after retirement. He become the president of Koota Maha Jagathu in 1958
(as the then President Balarama Hande had resigned). He was the president
till 1971. He was mainly responsible in redrafting the rules and regulations,
to enable the smooth conducting of affairs of the branches and Kendra Samsthe.
He arranged for systematic collection of Guru Kanike, maintained CA audited
accounts and conducted Mahasabha of members once a year regularly. He was
responsible to start branches at Kundpura, Byndoor, Uppunda, Gokarna and
Shimoga. In order to educate the members of the community, he wrote over
20 books in Kannada. Gayathri, Jaathi Dharma, Daana, Devara Sthothra, Magalige
Dharmabodha are a few of them. He printed them at his own cost and distributed
them free among the members of the community. He established libraries
containing puranic and Dharmic books in Kannada at his own cost at Saligrama,
Bantwal, Mangalpady and Mangalore. He conducted sabhas with vedic scholars
to discuss and bring our books like Sandhya vandana, Panchayatana pooja
and also fix minimum requirement to be observed in Upanayana and marriage
etc. These are the standard guides for the community even today. By organizing
Mahasabhas he was able to bring members of the society together and create
awareness of the importance of Sri Guru Narasimha Temple as “Guru Sthana”.
Being an artist he himself drew black and white pictures of Sri Guru Narasimha
and also colour pictures of “Moodu Ganapathi seve” and “Gayathri Devi”
and distributed the printed pictures to every home.
Contribution of Few other dignitaries: Vasudeva Karanth’s brother Shankarnarayana
Karanth, an advocate at Mangalore and P.Narayana Hebber were elected as
trustees of Sri Guru Narasimha Temple in 1955. Shankaranarayana Karanth
recognized certain drawbacks in the administration of the temple. Being
a Sanskrit Scholar, he collected old palm leaf manuscripts like Saligrama
Kshethramahatma, Lokadithya (Grama) Paddathi, Padma Purana (Pushkara Khanda)
and Skanda Purana (Sahyadri Khanda) and brought out a monumental work “Koota
Maha Jagathu” and was able to show the origin of Kota Brahmins. This history
and heritage of Sri Guru Narasimha Temple served as the main evidence to
convince the High Court Judge to declare our temple as denominational one.
Shanarnarayana Karanth was Secretary of Koota Maha Jagathu from 1958-60,
and later became its Vice president from 1964 to 1971. Sri M.Vasudeva Maiya
of Mangalapady was the Secretary. After that Dr. B. R. Somayaji, Janardhan
Holla, P.S.Krishna Rao and K. Shivarama Karanth were Secretaries.
Anantha Somayaji who was the president of Bantwal branch of Koota Maha
Jagathu was responsible to start branches in Puttur, Venur, Kasargod, Katipalla-Krishnapura
and Udupi.
Claiming denominational Status for the temple: Government observed
that many of the trustees who administered the Hindu Temples were selfish
and did defalcation. To avoid that it modified the rules governing the
management of the temple and exercised it through Hindu Religions Charitable
Endowment Department (HRCE). The Guru Narasimha temple was under the administrative
control of D.C. of D.K. District and governed under Madras HRCE Act and
rules of 1951. The trustees were selected by the Area committee from among
those who applied for the post and were appointed by D.C. to administer
the temple for a period of five years. The rules allowed the general public
to appoint the Managing committee and this could have lead to Koota Brahmins
loosing control of their only “Guru Shana”. The Gowda Saraswath Brahmins
had obtained through the high court, their right to administer their temples
free from Government interference. So the president of Koota Maha Jagathu,
K. Vasudeva Karanth and committee members were convinced that such an arrangement
was the only go. So K. V. Karanth and K. S. Karanth collected the evidence
from old palm leaf manuscripts, old recorded proceedings of Koota Vidwan
Maha jagathu of the earlier century and filed a case in the Udupi civil
court. They made out a case that in the light of evidence collected; Kota
Brahmin community did not have any human individual as their Guru and believed
Lord Narasimha alone as their Guru. (Temple administration is not a hereditary
right of Hande family who were managing trustees for three generation only)
and that the temple should be declared denominational temple like the temples
administered by GSB community; to be managed by members of Kota Brahmin
community only.
Advocates K.S.Karanth, Bailoor Vasudeva Rao and Sri B Yogishwara Holla
argued the case. Yet the case was dismissed thrice in the civil court.
On 16-11-1973 an appeal was filed in the Karnataka High Court. The senior
advocates of Bangalore, Kota Ramakrishna Karanth (After his death his son
K.R. Dayaaananda Karanth), Tumbe Krishna Rao and Govinda Bhat studied the
case and prepared the appeal. The case went on for ten years.
"Koota Brahmins are Dharmakartha of the temple": K. R. D. Karanth argued
the case successfully before Hon. Justice Sri M.N.Venkatachalayya who gave
the historic judgment on 16-10-1984 declaring that “Koota Brahmins are
the dharmakartha of the temple”. As per this judgment Sri Guru Narasimha
Temple was recognized as “Guru sthana” of Kota Brahmin Community and it
was ruled that administration of the temple should be done by the members
of the community. The recorded proceedings of Koota Vidwan mahajagathu,
Koota Brahmins tradition of collecting rice and coconut from each community
members house and performing Mooda Ganapathi Seva, Mane-akki samaradhane
in Vruschika maasa, practice of giving “Guru Kaanike” on all religions
ceremonies like Namakarana, Upanayana, Marriage, house warming; were the
main evidence the Honorable judge relied upon. However as the general Hindu
public also visited the temple he ruled that they should not be denied
entry to the temple to worship. Twenty years of legal battle ended in the
judgment stating that the temple is denominational one to be managed by
Kota Brahmins only.
Since the appeal was filed in High Court at Bangalore in 1973, the
Koota Maha Jagathu main office was shifted to Bangalore in the same year
to assist the lawyer with required documents. Then S. Laxminarayana Holla
was the president and P.S. Krishna Rao was the secretary. From 1981-1995
Sri H. J.Anandarama Holla was the president and K. Shivarama Karanth was
the secretary. The president and secretary assisted the advocate in the
conducting of the case there.
Formation of First Managing Committee.: Late B. Anantha Somayaji, Sri.B.Yogishwar
Holla, P.Madhava Rao advocates prepared an administrative scheme and filed
in the D.C.Court of D.K.District in 1984. But the then managing trustee
of Sri Guru Narasimha temple, Sri H.S.Hande indulged in endless litigation
from 1984 to 1994 and prevented formation of a new committee to take over
temple administration. Dr.K.Prabhakara Holla and Sri K.Taranath Holla and
other well wishers tried to come to an amicable solution and it was agreed
that Sri H. Sadashiva Hande would be made the managing trustee and he should
give his consent to the scheme prepared for the administration. On obtaining
his consent the approval of the scheme was obtained from D.C. court D.K.
District on 21-3-1995. A Mahasabha of members of the community was called
and nine trustees (four from saligrama and surrounding fourteen villages,
one from Kundapura, one from D.K. district, one from Udupi, one from Bangalore
and one from outside Karnataka) were selected. They took over the administration
with Sri H. Sadashiva Hande as the Managing trustee.
Second Managing Committee: The then administrative scheme did not have
provision to hold election of trustees. Hence a detailed administrative
and election scheme was prepared by the managing committee and submitted
to Udupi D.C. court in 1999. However as the term of the managing committee
was to come to an end in 2000 election was held on 12-3-2000 by taking
a written pledge from the voters that he / she was a Kota Brahmin and accepted
Sri Guru Narasimha as his / her Guru. Nine trustees were elected on 30-6-2000.
Sri K. V. Keshava Karantha was elected as managing trustee of the new committee,
who administered the temple till 29-3-2005.
Total Denominational Status: The Govt. of Karnataka framed a new HR&CE
Act of 1999 and rules of 2003 for administration of Hindu Temples. The
managing committee then represented to the Government that in the light
of the Karnataka High Court judgment of 1984, the Government should keep
Sri Guru Narasimha temple out of the preview of the new Act and Rules,
being a denominational temple. The HR and CE Department by its order of
1-5-2003 excluded Sri Guru Narasimha temple from the list of notified temples
under the Government HR & CE Department control. Having come out of
the Government control the case filed in Udupi D.C. court in 1999 for approval
of election scheme was withdrawn in November 2003 (as the new Act and Rules
did not have provision to elect the trustees by voters and instead trustees
were selected from among the interested persons who had to apply to the
District Commissioner). The revised administration and election rules were
approved and adopted at the special Mahasabha held on 15-1-2004 and was
approved by the Temple managing committee on 18-02-2004.
First Free Election (Realization of the dream): Voters list was revised
and election was held for the third Managing Committee at Saligrama on
20-3-2005. Three trustees Dr.K.P.Holla (Outside Karnataka) Sri B. Narayana
Somayaji (D.K district), Sri K. Padmanabha Karanth (Other parts of Karnataka)
were elected unanimously. 2541 voters from all over Karnataka came to Saligrama
and exercised there right. Sri P.Sooryanarayana Herle, Sri A.Krishna Hebbar,
Sri G. Seetharama Upadhya and Sri C. Narasimha Madyastha (Saligrama), Sri
Yajnanarayana Herle (Bangalore) and Sri K. Vasudeva Karanth (Udupi Dt)
were elected. In the Managing committee meeting held on 28-3-2005, Sri
P.Soorynarayana Herle was selected as the President, Sri G. Seetharama
Upadhya as Vice President, Sri B. Narayana Somayaji as Secretary and Sri
K. V. Karanth as Treasurer. Thus the first free election was held without
Government control, to administer Sri Guru Narasimha temple for next five
years and the elders dream that started in 1964 was successfully fulfilled
after more than 40 years.
Dr.K.P.Holla as President of Koota Maha Jagathu: A Mahasabha of Koota
Maha Jagath was held at Bangalore in 1995, where Dr.K.Prabhakar Holla of
Uppala was elected as president, Sri B.Narayana Somayaji of Bantwal as
the secretary and Sri T. Srinivasa Rao of Surathkal as the treasurer. The
central office of Koota Maha Jagathu was shifted from Bangalore to Bantwal.
For improving the communication between members, “Koota Bandhu” a bimonthly
magazine was started. The bylaws of the organization were revised to better
suit the present atmosphere. Tradition of conducting Mahasabha regularly
in the last Sunday of September every year in different places was started.
Conducting special Mahasabha at Saligrama on 15th January (a day prior
to car festival) every year came into practice. During this mahasabha,
Dharma sabha is also held for the benefit of devotees who attend the car
festival of the temple. Vivaha Samparka Vedike, Mahila Vedike, Yuva Vedike
were started at different angasamstes.
Koota Maha Jagathu announced a five point program to uplift the culture
and tradition of our community. The programs are
1. Vasantha Veda Shibira: Summer Vedic Camps to teach Veda Sukthas
to students of our community
2. Kannika Samskrithi Shibira: Camp to teach traditions and practices
of our community to girls.
3. Mass Rugupa Karma: Mass Rugupa karma program.
4. Varamahalaxmi Vrutha: A program to involve the women of our community.
5. Sri Guru Narasimha Jayanthi: Program to celebrate Guru Narasimha
Jayanthi
The President Secretary pair of Dr. K.P. Holla and Sri B. Narayana
Somayaji were successful in starting new branches at Kalasa- Balehole,
Manchi, Polali, Miapadavu, Uttarhalli, Belthangadi (Merging Venoor Branch),
Davangere, Dharwad, Mysore, Thirthalli, Tumkur, Thirupanithura and Jayapura.
Branches at Kundapura, Kirimanjeshwar and Gokarna were revived. In all
Twenty six branches of Koota Maha Jagathu came into existence and worked
towards uniting members of Kota Brahmin Community.
Koota Bandhu: The bimonthly mouthpiece of Koota Maha Jagathu called
“Koota Bandhu” was started on 1-1-1996 and has been giving report on activities
of different branches and activities at Sri Guru Narasimha temple and also
publish Sanskrit sthothras and articles on Dharma and Aachara and has become
a cultural bimonthly magazine under the editorship of Dr. Nitilapura Krishnamurthy
a journalist and vedic scholar of repute and each issue is eagerly awaited
by all the members of the community. It has a circulation of 2000+ copies.
A separate trust called “Koota Bandhu Trust” has been formed for the smooth
functioning of the magazine.
Billion Foundation: Koota Maha Jagathu launched Sri Guru Narasimha
Billion Foundation on 3-5-2004 with a target of collecting Rupees one crore
during the next five years and start giving scholarship, for education,
help to conduct marriages, meet medical expenses; out of the interest accrued
during the next five years. Sri H. Parameshwara Basri, Vice president of
Koota Maha Jagathu Bangalore Branch is the president of the foundation
with B.Vishwanath Somayaji from Bantwal as the treasurer. A Total of over
Rupees Twenty five lakhs has been collected as on of 31-3-2008.
The relentless effort by president Dr.K.Prabhakara Holla and secretary
B. Narayana Somayaji, has been successful in arousing awareness about Koota
Maha Jagathu, among the members of the community in Karnataka and outside.
They have build up Koota Maha Jagathu as a model institution for the community
to rely on and look after the social religious and Dharmic interests and
forge unity.
Dr. K. S. Karanth as President of Koota Maha Jagathu: In September
of 2006 Dr. K. S. Karanth from Kundapur was appointed as the President
of Koota Maha Jagathu and Purushotham Rao of Surathkal as the secretary
and they have been working tirelessly for the betterment of the community.
Angasamstes: The various branches of Koota Maha Jagathu have taken
up many social activities on there own and are actively contributing to
the community.
Are you willing to help this noble cause?
http://kootabandhu.org/gnbf.html
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