Today, We had an excellent opportunity to visit one of the unidentified brindavana in Tamilnadu, which is located at Karuvalur(38 kms from Coimbatore) on the banks of koushika river(It is completely dried now 😦 ). It is believed that this brindavana belongs to one of the 24 disciples of Sri Vyasarayaru.
The same koushika river flows near Bellathi brindavana.
This brindavana is located inside a demolished temple which is believed to be Sri Venugopala swamy temple(1700 years old). Moola murthy idols are missing. One can visit uthsava murthy at nearby local temple(Mariamman temple).
Front view of temple:
Inside temple:
Resemblance of UDUPI SRI KRISHNASri Lakshmi NarayanaSri Rama devaruSri Krishna Devaru
We could see multiple Hanumantha carvings in pillars throughout the temple.
There is a separate hanumantha temple nearby to this place which is taken care by people from that area.
Let’s hope that we will get to know details of this brindavana very soon!
Bellathi is a Village in Karamadai Block in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu State, India. It is located 32 KM towards North from District head quarters Coimbatore and 3 KM from Karamadai.
Articles published in Newspaper on Oct 31 2017:
Initial visit to brindavana(Nov 2017)
News articles published in the local newspapers paved the interest in the Madhwa community of Coimbatore to visit this brindavana. A group of members from Singanallur Agraharam visited Bellathi in the month of November 2017(just few days after the publication of article) and recited vayu sthuthi here.
Singanallur team was unable to conclude whether the brindavanam belongs to madhwa matha or not because of Gajalakshmi and Iyengar nama engraved on the brindavana.
Sudden rise of popularity:
Channel coverage(Vendhar TV) on Bellathi titled “The Mahan who cures diseases” gained attention among public especially across Tamilnadu in visiting this place.
Developments:
Thanks to Social media era. Lots of information was shared and exchanged through facebook and whatsapp. This place and brindavana came into limelight very soon.
People from all parts of Tamilnadu and Karnataka especially on thursdays and weekends started visiting this place in the month of April and May in huge numbers.
Brindavana with fence
During the month of May, A team from matha visited this place and confirmed this brindavana belongs to Sri Lakshmidhara theertharu of Mulubagulu matha.
Sri Lakshmidhara theertharu(Period 1325 – 1335) is the direct sishyaru of Sri Padmanabha thirtharu(one of the four direct shishyaru of Sri Madhwacharyaru).
This brindavana is located on the banks of koushika river. Opposite to brindavana, a giant adisesha is carved in a rock.
Sri Lakshmidhara thirtharu aradhane falls on Margashira shukla Pournami. Brindavana is decorated with rich carvings like dasavthara at top and gajalakshmi in front facing. Also gopinatha devaru, kaliya mardhana krishna and crawling krishna on the other sides.
Charma sloka:
gOvardhanadharam dEvam gOpInaatham manOharam|
dhyaayaMtaM satatam noumi lakShmIdharayatIshv aram|
Latest Pics taken on 16th Oct 2018
Sign board indicating the road to brindavanaOutside view(Entrance area)Devotees are requested to offer their donations to Annadana committeeDevotees are requested to bring fruits, coconut, flowers, ghee lamp, vasthra on their ownEvery Thursday – 12 pm – pooja and 1 pm Annadana
As per the famous sloka, There is a unique brindavana (Kamadhenu kalpavruksha sahitha Raghavendra Theertharu) located at Kannankurichi, Salem, Tamilnadu
This is one of the brindavanas installed after 2000’s. I am very much familiar to this place as our native is Salem. This mutt was just 1 km from our home. I still remember the brindavana Prathistapana day. It was such a grand function with Swamijis presence, Vidhyabhushan Kacheri etc. Thousand of devotees took part on the prathistapana day.
Apart from Rayaru brindavana, one can also have dharshan of Yoga Lakshmi Narasimma Devaru, Dhanvanthri devaru and Hanumantha devaru on either sides of brindavana
Address
Kannakurichi is a small place located around 7 kms from Salem town and Ample bus facilities are available from Bus stand and Railway station
Nithya Nagar 3rd Street,
Kannangurichi, Salem 636 008
Everyone is aware of the place Manthralaya as it is associated with Rayaru. Bhuvanagiri , A small town near Chidamabaram, Tamilnadu is the birth place of our beloved gurugalu Rayaru.
Our beloved Raayaru was born in Manmatha Naama Samvatsara, Phalguna masa, sukla paksha Sapthami (Thursday, Mrigashira Nakshathra) in the year 1595 at Bhuvanagiri near Chidambaram in Tamilnadu.
Born in Bhuvanagiri, venkanna(rayaru poorvashrama name) spent his earlier days for paata in Kumbakona and His ashrama sweekara has happened in Vaduvur near Thanjavur. In the history of Rayaru, We can see a significant period of time Rayaru lived in Tamilnadu.
The places where he lived is still exists today and his home in Bhuvanagiri has been transformed into a Raghavendra Swamy Matha.
Bhuvanagiri is near Chidambaram and it is around 7 kilometers from the Chidambaram town. There are plenty of buses and taxis from Chidambaram to Bhuvanagiri
Bhuvanagiri today is a small panchayat town in Cuddalore district. The Ragavendra SwamyTemple is located at 4th Patti street and it is ten minutes walk from the Bhuvanagiri busstand..
Generally there is koorma peeta for brindavanas everywhere and there is an exception which you can see in Tanjavur Rayara Brindavana
There is a “Sarpa-Peeta Brindavana” of Sri. Raghavendra swamy, situated near Vaduvuru, on bank of river Cauvery, 5KM away from Thanjavur. Tamilnadu.
It was consecrated during rule of last Nayak king of Thanjavur, Vijayaraghava Nayaka (son of Raghunatha Nayaka), just before the start of Maratha rule.
This is the place where Rayaru did 12 years of deep penance after sanyasi sweekara. After Rayaru left to propagate the Madhwa philosophy, The King Nayak faced so many problems and he wished Rayaru presence in his kingdom.
Just after the Brindavana pravesha of Sri. Raghavendra Swamy at Mantralaya , the king had a dream in which Guru Rayaru appeared in his dream and wish to have his Brindavana at a place where he took his Sanyasashrama to bless the people.
The king was told that ” I would come in the form of Sarpam (Snake) and I will show you the spot to establish the temple” by Rayaru and things happened in the same way. He recognized the spot and engraved Sarpa’s image and installed Sarpa-Peetha at that place as a remarkable mark where Guru Rayaru took his Sanyasashrama .
It was the place where the title of “Sri Ragavendra Theertha” was given to guru by his Guru Sri Sudheendhra theertharu and he handed over the responsibilities of the Vidya Matha to Sri Raghavendra Tirtharu.
As instructed by Rayaru, there is no ceiling over Brindavana. Rayaru wished the brindavan should be open to Nature. The pooja Krama followed here is based on the pooja karma of a sanyasi.
Unlike any other Mrithika brindavanas, There is no Mrithika consecrated in this brindavana during prathistapana as Rayaru himself wished to live here through his brindavana.
The temple priests give Mantrakshathe with Mrithika(Soil from the land where Rayaru lived) to the devotees
It is believed that This powerful peetha can cure all doshas related to planet Raghu and Kethu in ones life.
How to Reach Vadavaru (Vadavaru Karai):
Thanjavur: From Thanjavur Old Bus Stand about 5 Kms. No bus facility. Walking through fields partitions. Autos only can ply.
SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY BRUNDAVANAM
VADAVARU BANK, THANJAVUR
BUS ROUTE: THANJAVUR OLD BUSSTAND TO BOODHALUR (VIA KALIMEDU)
NO. 27, SERIES
STAGE NAME: BRINDAVANAM
Official website : http://www.tanjorerayarabrindavana.org/about.html
BUS ROUTE: THANJAVUR OLD BUSSTAND TO BOODHALUR (VIA KALIMEDU) (Bus no 27)
Mritthika brindhavana of Sri Raghavendra Theertharu at Kompatti is situated just 10km before chinna Darapuram on the banks of River Amaravathi.
Initially the plan was to install rayaru brindavana at Chinna dharapuram. After the pradishtapana of Brindavana at Erode(which is believed to be the first mrithika brindhavana in Tamilnadu), Doddu rayaru planned to do another brindavana at Chinna dharapuram. While on their way, They got the dream where they were ordered to do pradishtapana at the same place(Banks of River Amaravathi)
Nearly 150 years ago the Dodda Rayar family of Chinnadharapuram established the sacred Mrithika Brindavanam of Sri Rayaru on the banks of River Amaravathi at Kompatti (Rajapuram) about 28 Kms from Karur.
This place is too remote. Access by road is possible with private transportation. The entire area around Mutt is calm and peaceful.
Those who visit Dharapuram, can plan Kompatti in their itinerary
Edit: I am adding more brindavana details. Sorry for missing few in my first update. Thanks to Sri B.Sarvothaman for bringing this through a comment and enlightening me!
I have tried to compile the Moola brindavanas situated in Tamilnadu. I will keep on updating the information as and when available. I have attached three different maps spanning 90% of brindavanas in the same region.
Guru: Sri Raghu varya theertharu
Sishyaru: Sri Raghupathi Theertharu and Sri Vedavyasa theertharu
His Tippanis are called as “Bhavabodha”. That is why he is called as Bhavabodhakararu
Shri Raghuttama Teertharu entered Brindavana in 1595 AD on the day of Vaikunta Ekadashi( Pushya Shudda Ekadashi)
The Moola Brindavana of Shri Shri 1008 Shri Raghuttama Teertharu is located at Manampoondi near Tirukoilur the banks of river South Pinakini (Penna) which is in Villupuram District of present Tamilnadu. This place is also known as “Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetra
Manampoondi is a small village located located between Tiruvanamalai and Tirukoilur. Manampoondi is 36 K.ms away from Tiruvannamalai. It is at a distance of 2 Kms from Tirukoilur.
Contact Information:
Sri Sri Raghuthamma Swamy Moola Brindavana,
Manmpoondi (Tirukoilur) – 605759,
District: Villupuram,
Tamilnadu.
Phone : 04153 – 24690
Sri Sathya Natha Theertharu(Veera cholapuram)
|| satyanAthaguruH pAtu yo dhIro navacandrikAm .
navAmR^itagadAtIrthatANDavAni vyacIkL^ipat ||
His Aradhana falls on Margasirsha shudha Ekadhasi (On Mokshadha Ekadhasi day, also Gita Jayanthi)
Guru: Sri Sathya nidhi Theertharu
Sishyaru : Sri Sathya Abhinava theertharu
His moola brindavana is located at Veera Cholapuram is on the banks of river South Pennar. It is approximately 10 kms from Thirukovilur. Those who visit Raghuttama theerthara brindava, Can also plan this place as it is nearby.
Contact Information:
Sri V. Vadirajan
Brindavana Archaka,
Veercholapura – 605 755
Kodangal, Tamil Nadu
Phone: 04153-296938
Aradhane: Jyeshtha Shuddha Chaturdashi
Gurugalu: Sri Sathya Natha Theertharu
Sishyaru: Sri Sathya Poorna Theertharu, Sri Sathyadheesa Theertharu and Sri Sathyadhiraja theertharu
His brindavana is located at Nachiargudi(a small town) near Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu
Nachiargudi (Nacharakoil) comes under Thanjavur District. It is 10 K.M away from Kumbhakonam. There is sufficient bus facility to Nachargudi from Kumbhakonam.
Bus facilities are Available from Kumbakonam to Nachiar Kovil.
Contact Information:
Sri Gopal Rao
Shri Satyabhinava Brindavana,
Post – Nacharkoil, Vai – Kumbhakonam,
District: Tanjavoor,
Tamil Nadu: 612 602.
Phone: 0435 2466380
Sri Sathya Vijaya Theertharu(Aarani/Sathya Vijaya Nagara)
Ashrama Gurugalu – Sri Satyabhigna Tirtharu
Ashrama Sishyaru – Sri Sathyathma Theertharu(Current Pontiff)
Contact Information:
Sri Pt. Ananda Tirthachar Chimmalgi
Sri Sri Raghuthamma Swamy Moola Brindavana,
Manmpoondi (Tirukoailure) – 605759,
Dist : Villupuram,
Tamilnadu.
Phone : 04153 – 24690
Rayaru Mutt
Sri Vibhudendra Theertharu(Tirunelveli)
AkEralaM tathA sEtumAgangaM cA himAlayam |
nirAkRutAdvaitaSaivaM vibudhEndraguruM BajE ||
Period : 1435 – 1490
Ashrama Gurugalu : Sri Ramachandra Teertharu
Ashrama Shishyaru : Sri Jithamitra Teertharu
His Brindavana is located at Tirunelvelli (a town situated on the banks of river Tamraparni). He attained brindavana on the day of Margashira Shuddha of Sadharana Samvatsara in A.D.1490.
Period : 1575 -1614
Ashrama Gurugalu : Sri Vyasarajaru and then Danda Pallata was performed with Sri Surendra Teertharu
Ashrama Shishyaru : Sri Sudheendra Teertharu
His aradhana falls on Jyesta Krishna Trayodashi.
Address:
Solaiappan Street
Valayapettai Agraharam, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612001, India
Sri Yogeendra Theertharu(Sri Rangam)
sAMdrabOdhAya SAstrEShu nistandramanasE harau |
rAGhavEndra kumArAya namO yOgIndrayOginE ||
Period : 1671 – 1688
Ashrama Gurugalu : Sri Raghavendra Swamy
Ashrama Shishyaru : Sri Sooreendra Teertharu
Aradhana Tithi : Maagha Shukla Dashami
His brindavana is located at Srirangam , Tamilnadu
Address:
Sri Sumatheendraswamigalavara Brindavana,
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt,
Raghavendrapuram, SRIRANGAM –TRICHY 620006
Sri Surendara Theertharu(Madurai)
yashchakaarOpavaasEna trivaaraM bhUpradakShiNaM |
tasmai namO yatIMdraaya shrI surEMdratapasvinE ||
Period : 1688 – 1692
Ashrama Gurugalu : Sri Yogendra Teertharu
Ashrama Shishyaru : Sri Sumateendra Teertharu
Aradhana Tithi : Jyeshta Shuddha Bahula
His Vrindavana is located at Madurai .
Address:
Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Brindavanam,
No.1, Venkataswamy Naidu Agraharam
(near Petchiamman Padithurai) Madurai.
The Brindavana of Sri Guru Raghavendra at Papparapatti is known as Dakshina Mantralaya. Papparapatti is a small village in Tamilnadu between salem to bangalore highway.
Location
it is situated about 13 kms from Dharmapuri, NH 7.
Significance
Sri P.R. Srinivasa Rao was looking after the Varadaraja temple activities in the village town papparapatti.
Sri Srinivasa Rao had a series of misfortunes. All the children died one after the other. The family was very saddened. Finally Srinivasa Rao’s wife; Smt Giriamma, delivered a boy, who survived. But the child was suffering from an stomach ailment from birth.They took the child to a famous specialist in Chennai. The doctor thoroughly examined the child. His findings was very disappointing. He said that the ailment had become very chronic and expressed his helplessness to cure the child. Being a great devotee of Sri Guru Raghavendra he advised the parents to go to Mantralaya with the child and seek the blessings of the Divine Guru.
Accordingly, the child’s father, Srinivasa Rao, his wife Giriamma and his sister-in-law (Sri Krishnamoorthi(elder brother’s wife) went to Mantralaya. There they performed seva for two months. The parents became nervous as they could not see any outward changes in the child’s condition. Srinivasa Rao thought of going back home to Papparapatti . Accordingly he sent a telegram to his brother Krishnamoorthi informing about their return programme. He started making preparations for his departure the next day.
In Papparapatti , Krishnamoorthi was making preparations to leave for Mantralaya. He was not aware that his brother and family on the other hand were making preparations to come back from Mantralaya to Papparapatti . He had not received the telegram sent by his brother from Manatralaya about his departure. Krishnamoorthy went to bed early to start for Mantralaya the next day. In the early morning hours on the day ,Krishnamoorthy had a dream. In that, an old Sanyasi appeared before Krishnamoorthy rao and told him “I am coming to your place”. Then he disappeared. Krihnamoorthy Rao woke up. He immediately contacted the scholars and friends there and seekedt their advice. They said “The message of the dream is clear. You need not go to Mantralaya. Instead Sri Raghavendra Swamiji is coming here. You construct a Brindavana here.”
There was great happiness all over. The people of Paparapatti and around were thrilled to hear that Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamiji had blessed them by his presence in their midst. The brothers got together, and decided to construct a Brindavana in Papparapatti itself. They resolved to set apart suitable lands for the upkeep and maintenance of the temple,. The very same night, in Mantralaya, Srinivasa Rao’s wife Giriamma had a dream. In that an old man approached Giriamma and gave her a broom and a mora (normally used for collecting the swept waste etc. from the ground). The lady could not understand the meaning behind the dream; whether it was auspicious or not. She was very apprehensive and upset and wanted to know the significance of the dream. She got clarification from the Archaka, Vedavyasacharya who performed the pooja for the Brindavana.
Sri Vedavyasacharya explained to her that the dream conveyed a very positive meaning. It meant that the stomach ailment the child was suffering from would be cured; as a matter of fact literally swept away. True to his words, the child purged in the afternoon, and became free from the ailment.
The grateful Srinivasa Rao with his wife and child took the permission of the Peethadipathi Sri Sri Suyameendra Teertharu Swamiji and came back to Papparapatti .
Preparations started for construction work of the temple. Two of the brothers went to Bangalore to contact a sculptor for carving the Brindavana.
The sculptor was already working on an order from another party for preparation of a Brindavana. It was almost ready. Just a day before the two brothers came to him with their requirement for the Brindavana, the sculptor got a dream. In that an old man ordered the sculptor “You hand over the present Brindavana that is constructed to the two persons coming to you tomorrow. Do not worry about the earlier order. It will take more time for installation of that.” Next morning, the sculptor was amazed to see the two brothers who came to him as mentioned in the dream wanting a Brindavana.
He immediately offered to hand over the Brindavana to them. Not only that, he even transported it by train to Pallakkadu Railway station and delivered it to the two brothers for installation with great devotion.
The eldest brother Sri Achutha Iyer and a team of devotees, set upon the holy task of bringing the Mrithike from Mantralaya. Accordingly, they went and entreated upon the Peethadipathi of Mantralaya Temple,for Mrithike. The swamiji, was happy to oblige the devootees. Accordingly, after the due prayers and procedures, Swamiji removed the Mrithike to hand over to Sri Achutha Iyer. What a wonder! Everyone there was astounded to see a Saligrama appear along with the Mrithike. The overjoyed devotees not only got the Mrithike, but a holy Saligrama along with it. It was something unique to indicate that the Brindavana at Papparapatti had a very special grace. It was a pointer to indicate the splendour that it would be. Sri mutt swamiji conveyed that Papparapatti is going to be like another Manthralaya; now acclaimed as Dakshina Mantralaya.
In 1996, After the brindavana prarhishtapana at Dharmapuri,the swamiji arrived in Papparapatti and stayed for two full days. He performed puja, panchamrita, archana, deeparadhana etc. to the Brindavana of Sri Guru Raghavendra and the other deities there. In his pravachana he announced that the temple in Papparapatti would develop into a famous pilgrimage centre and will be foundly called as Dakshina Mantralaya.
How to reach:
Take bus from salem to bangalore. Get down at palakkodu. It is around 9 kms from Palakkodu. lots of mini buses and autos are available from palakkodu to papparapatti
Madhwa 