Kamalashile

Kamalashile is located 35 kms from Kundapura in Udupi district. It is 397 kms from Bangalore. The presiding deity here is Sri Brahmi Durgaparameshwari , and it's very ancient temple.
The name Kamalashile is derived after the stone Linga, Goddess Brahmi Durgaparameshwari is worshipped in the form of lingam which is said to be union of Goddess Mahakali, Maha Saraswathi and Maha Lakshmi.
According to sthala purana it is said that  a beautiful lady Pingala,  a dancer performed her excellent dancing skills in front of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvathi in Kailash mountain.
Later another fine day Goddess Parvathi asks her to perform again to which Pingala refuses and Goddess Parvathi gets angry and curses her that she lose all her beauty and become an ugly woman, Kubja in Bhuloka (earth). In course of time Pingala realises her mistake and pleads Goddess Parvathi for mercy.
Parvathi disclosed to her about her Avatar that would take place on earth to end evil deeds of khararatasura and she will be in the form of Lingam in front of Sage Raikwa Ashram in Sahyadri forest and the Linga will be in the form of kamalashile , asks Kubja to near Suparshwa cave and do penance till Goddess gives her moksha. Later pleased with Kubja she appeared in form of kamalashile Linga at the confluence of River Kubja and Nagatheertha in front of Raikwa Rishi Ashram. Later Kubja was ordered to go to Mathura and wait for Lord Krishna as her curse would get released by the touch of lord Krishna. It is also said that Goddess Durgaparameshwari Linga appeared at the same time when yuga was created.
Initially it was worshipped as Brahmalingeshwara and later people got to know it was actually Brahmi Durgaparameshwari.
Suparshwa cave :
In krutha yuga king Suparshwa was searching suitable place to do penance and get moksha. He comes across this cave and finds it suitable hence cave is named after him. He prays to lord Shiva to bless him perform his penance without any hurdles for which lord Shiva appoints his Gana Bhairava to stay permanently at the entrance of the cave and provide protection for king Suparshwa.
It is also said that many sages, avadhootas had come to this place to do penance. Sri Sridhar Swamiji of Varadapura is one among them. Hundreds of Bats are seen at Naga Sannidhi.
Fearing death from Garuda Adisesha comes to Goddess Durgaparameshwari and seeks Mukti from a curse. Goddess advises him only way to avoid death for him was to become a bed to Lord Vishnu, and asks all other Nagas to hide in Suparshwa cave so that she can save them from Garuda.
A Tiger comes near Suparshwa cave to rest and it is a custom to light up fire in front of cave for Tiger to keep itself warm.
To visit this cave assistance from temple staff is needed and do not forget to carry torch without fail.
Annadanam is arranged in temple.
Contact Address
Sri Brahmi Durgaparameshwari Temple
Sri Kshetra Kamalashile Post
Kamalashile - 576229
Kundapura Taluk
Udupi District
Phone :- 91 8259- 277221
Mobile 9591560809

Goravanahalli

It's a Hindu temple located in Goravanahalli, a small village in Tumkur district, Karnataka.
Legend says a poor man by name Abbayya was blessed by Mahalakshmi and she provides an opportunity to serve her. One day Abbayya hears a female voice calling him but at first he ignores then again the voice continues and asks him to take with him to his house. Abbayya gets confused and consults his mother, she advises him to tell her that if she is Goddess he would take her home. The voice confirms that she is indeed Goddess Mahalakshmi,hearing this he agrees to take her with him.He hears the voice coming from water in the lake and searches for her then Lakshmi appears in the form a beautiful idol adorned with Shankha,   Chakra and her hand raised in blessing pose.
Abbayya goes home with idol and to his mother and the family install the idol at home and perform ritualistic Pooja. Goddess Mahalakshmi blessed them with health, wealth and prosperity. Later family decides to build a separate temple her and reinstall the idol there.
According to the legend there is a procedure of performing Lakshmi Pooja ,
One has to take bath early in the morning and keep fistful of Raw Rice an a coin everyday for 48 days. At the end of this period the devotee should the rice and coin to temple and offer to Goddess.
This will fulfill their wishes . This temple has sanctum of other deities like Sri Lakshmi Narasimha , Ganapathi, Shiva Parvathi in it's premises.

Timings 6am-12.30 pm
                 5am-8pm.
Address
Sri Mahalakshmi Temple
Theetha post, Koratagere Taluk,
Goravanahalli , Tumkur district
Contact number 918138237509.

Holenarasipura Lakshmi narasimha swami temple

Holenarasipura is a town and taluk in Hassan district of Karnataka and is situated on the banks of Hemavathi, one of the tributaries of River Cauvery. The presiding deity Narasimha, (the Fourth incarnation of Vishnu),temple dwells on the banks of the river. 
Holenarasipura is on a state highway between Mysore,Hassan and Bangalore. 
It is 32 km from Hassan, 90 km from Mysore and 175 km from Bangalore.
Main attraction in holenarasipura is an ancient temple dedicated to lord Lakshmi Narasimha. It was built by Narasimha Nayaka and later by Mysore Wodeyars. It also houses three garbha gruhas, idols of Lakshmi Narasimha, Venugopala and Channakeshava in each garbha gruhas and is connected to main hall where lord Ganesha is installed , hence called Trikutachala Kshetra.
It also houses Sukkinunde Narasimha in temple complex . There is a belief in locals that if one prays to Sukkinunde Narasimha for their wishes to come true one must do harike to lord Narasimha that they will offer Sukkinunde to Narasimha after their work is done they must go and offer Sukkinunde to Narasimha in holenarasipura.
Contact person
Ramaswamy Bhatt
08175273005.

Hebbur Srichakra Temple

Hebbur is located 23 Kms from Tumkur – Kunigal. It is about 80 Kms from Bangalore. Hebbur is famous for housing Sri Kodandashrama and Sri Kamakshi
Sharadamba temple. A mutt was established in this place about 300 years ago by a sage named Kodandashrama. According to the sources in the Mutt, the place was called `Ghanapuri' in the Puranic age.
One of the earlier pontiffs of the Mutt found a Srichakra in a nearby river. The pontiff thought that it would be impossible to worship such a rare Srichakra daily due to lack of resources and decided to hand over it to  Sringeri Sharada Peetham. The then Jagadguru Mahaswamigal of Sringeri Sharada Peetham
assured him that Devi would take care of the needs of the mutt and advised him to worship the Srichakra. It is also said that Acharya gave the pontiff the
necessary Upadesha required for the same. Sri Narayanashrama Swamiji,
developed the Mutt and constructed the Sri Kamakshi Sharadamba temple.
The idol of Devi was consecrated by H H Jagadguru Mahasannidhanam Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal. The temple is in the form of Srichakra with beautiful depiction of the Avarana Devatas. The Vigrahas of the
Avarana Devatas are strictly according to the Dhyana Shlokas of the deities. Sri Kamakshi Sharadamba is seated on Pancha Pretasana and holds
Pasha, Ankusha, Pustaka and Akshamala in her four hands. The main attraction of the place still continues to be Srichakra which has a beautiful Kurma Prshta, Ashta Diggajas and Dignagas.
Lunch is also provided at the temple after mahamangala arathi.
Timings 6.00 am to 12.00 pm 

.
Address
Ghanapuri Samsthana Sri Kamakshi Sharada Peetha
Sri Kodandashrama Math, Hebbur - 572120
Tumkur District. Karnataka, India.
Phone : +91-816-31032

KOODLI

Koodli is a small village in Shimoga District of Karnataka. Koodli is the place where two rivers, the Tunga River and Bhadra River, meet to give rise to the Tungabhadra River. View of the 'Sangama' makes the place enchanting.

Tunga-Bhadra sangam

 koodli houses Sri Chitamani Narasimha Swamy Temple,  a Saligrama image beside the Sangameshwara temple. It believed to be installed and worshipped by Sri Prahlada.It is sais that one who takes bath in sangam and prays to chintamani Narasimha all his worries will be vanished. The rivers are worshipped and considered to be sacred. It has a Shankar mutt stated to have been founded in the 16th century by Jagadguru Narsimha Bharathi 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. Rushyashrama, Brahmeshwara, Narasimha and Rameshwara temples are located in this village.

Rameshwara Temple

Sri Chintamani Narasimha Temple

There are two mutts in the Koodli. One is Shankara mutt (Advaita Philosophy) & another one is Akshobhya thirtha Mutt (Dvaita Philosophy).

It is 16 Kms from Shimoga on Holehonnur – Channagiri Road. Travel time from Shimoga to Koodli is 30min to 45mins.

Guruvayoor

The Guruvayoor Temple is a famous Krishna temple and is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus and is often referred to as "Bhooloka Vaikuntam". The presiding deity in the sanctum-sanctorum is Mahavishnu. He faces east and his idol is 4 ft tall. Even though this is not a much small idol, devotees consider him as Little Krishna. He has 4 hands: The upper right hand holding chakra, lower right hand holding lotus, upper left hand holding shankha and lower left hand holding gada.

The main enterance to Si Krishna temple is on eastern side.  The outer prakaram has a large teak wood Dwaja stamba of 34 meters high. There is also a pillar for lighting lamps having circular holders to hold the wicks and oil. When the lamps are lit it provides a magnificient moment to our eyes.

It is said that routine worship at the temple was advised by Adi Shankaracharya , when he visited the temple. Every day the temple opens around 3 am for Nirmalya Darshanam. This is the first Darshan of Sri Krishna in which he is decorated with only garlands and flowers of previous day.

The dress code is extremely rigid inside the temple. Men are not allowed to wear shirts, baniyan or vests and must remain topless while inside the complex. They have to wear strictly Kerala Mundu (only white/saffron/black/blue) and are free to wear a shawl to cover the upper body. Wearing lungis or checked dhothi is banned inside. Until recently ladies had to wear sarees, but the rule has been relaxed recently. The current dress code allows ladies to wear churidars, pyjamas and kurthas. However sleeveless or short tops, pants, shorts and denims are not allowed inside. Covering the head is strictly prohibited inside temple for both gents and ladies. Children under 12 are allowed to wear trousers.

Narayaneeyam is the story of Lord Narayana. It is a work consisting of 1036 slokas, divided into 100 dasakams or chapters, each dasakam consisting of 10 slokas. It is said that the work has the blessings of Lord Krishna or Guruvayoorappan, the presiding Deity of Guruvayoor.

According to local legends, Bhattathiri had a Guru by the name of Achyuta Pisharati, who fell victim to a severe attack of paralysis, and suffered unbearable pain. Bhattathiri desired to find a cure for his master and fervently prayed for the disease to be transferred to him, freeing his Guru from suffering. According to the legend, Lord Krishna granted Bhattathiri his wish, and he soon became a cripple.

Once, when Bhattathiri, unable to move, was carried into the Guruvayur temple, he met Tunchath Ezhuthachan, an eminent Malayalam poet of the time. Ezhuthachan advised Bhattathiri that he could be cured if he "began his treatment with fish". The disciples of Bhattathiri who heard this were shocked because Bhattathiri was a devout Hindu and therefore a vegetarian who would consider it sinful to eat fish. Bhattathiri however understood what Ezhuthachan really meant - that he would be cured if he could compose a hymn glorifying the incarnations of Lord Krishna beginning with the fish incarnation, known as Matsya. Accordingly, he started composing the Narayaneeyam. It is said that he would recite one dasakam, consisting of ten verses, every day. The local legend says that on the hundredth day he had a vision of the Lord,  after which he was immediately cured of his disease.

Chottanikkara Bhagavathi temple

Chottanikkara is a village in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The deity is Adi parashakti . She is worshipped as Goddess Saraswathi in the morning, draped in white, as Goddess Lakshmi in noon, draped in red and Goddess Durga, draped in blue in the evening. The idol is laterite stone that can be seen in early morning during Nirmalya pooja, when previous day’s flowers and garlands are removed. Later Goddess is covered with golden carved parashakthi with four arms. Next to her is the granite stone idol of Maha Vishnu. 

Legend says, the area in which the temple is situated was once a dense forest that was believed to be occupied by yakshis and rakshsas. A tribesman named Kannappan, a devout worshipper of Kali, would ritually sacrifice a cow to her every Friday( the day of the Goddess). One day, he found a beautiful black cow near the forest. He kidnapped her and took her to his place. Just before he sacrificed the cow, his daughter stopped him. The man loved his daughter and thus let her keep the cow. Unfortunately, she died the next morning. However, when the tribe’s man looked after the cow, he dreamt that people were worshipping the cow, next morning he found two divine stones in its place he worshipped them as one as Lakshmi and the other as Vishnu till his death. After many years, the stones were forgotten. One day, a woodcutter came to the forest to cut some trees. Since his axe was blunt, he sharpened it on a nearby stone. To his Wonder, the stone started bleeding. After devaprashnam, it was concluded that the stones were divine. The idol at Keezhkavu didn't come until after the temple was built. One night, a Brahmin was walking along a moonlit path. Suddenly, he saw a beautiful woman, standing all alone. He offered to escort her home, and she agreed. However, when the Brahmin went to the Goddess's priest, he was told that it was really a yakshi. Thus, with the yakshi after him, the Brahmin ran to the temple. Just as he reached the sanctum, the yakshi transformed and rounded up on him. However, the goddess jumped out of the sanctum sanctorum as Kali and killed her. She then went to wash herself in the pond, where the Kali idol was found hundreds of years later by Vilvamangalam of Guruvayoor.

The 'Devi' in the temple is known for the healing powers, particularly relating to mental illness and disorders. Mentally disturbed people go to Chottanikkara to ward off the evil spirits they believe  to haunt them. The priest hands a nail or two to the possessed persons and they hammers into the tree next to the shrine using their forehead or fist.

The Goddess here is specially connected to the Mookambika Devi of Kollur in Karnataka. The sacred doors of the sanctum sanctorum open in the early hours of the day, at 4.00 a.m. The blowing of the conch and playing of the temple musical instruments gives peace to those who seek a sure answer to the prayers. Sree Mookambika Saraswathi is also believed as present in the temple in the morning. That is why Mookambika Temple at kollur opens only after the Goddess Saraswathi returns late in the morning.

On the eastern side of the temple pond stands the Kizhukkavu temple. The idol facing westward is belived to be installed by Villwamangalam Swamiyaar. After the main pooja in the evening, the chief priest of the principal deity comes to Kizhukkavu to perform the famous pooja called as "ValiyaGuruthy" (great Sacrifice). The Guruthy is prepared in 12 huge vessels and is performed at about 8.45 p.m every night.Those who witness the guruthy pooja, which itself is inspiring and huge ceremony, finds it an experience where no words can be described. Being present there during Valiya guruthy on Fridays permanently cures women suffering from mental abnormalities.

Bhajanam is yet another important worship undertaking in the temple. This requires a person to stay in the temple premises for two days, take part in all the poojas and eat only the temple prasadam. People who follow the whole ritual correctly are believed to be blessed with great good fortune and health. Their wishes are fulfilled by Amme Bhagavathi. The Mother Goddess at Chottanikkara is a wish granter, a protector of enemies and evils plus a divine healer.