The Sri Manjunatha Temple project aims to restore a 1200-year-old spiritual heritage, fostering devotion and community through the construction of a temple complex in the sacred land of Arishinaguppe.

Our Spiritual Mission

About Committee and Chairman

Guided by Sri Rajeshnath Ji, this initiative honors ancient traditions, enhancing the spiritual significance of the area, while providing a profound destination for devotees seeking blessings and salvation.

Dear Devotees,

Humble request for the construction of the sacred temple.

In Arashinaguppe village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Torenuru Village Panchayat in Somwarpet Taluk, Kodagu district, during the public inquiry concerning the construction of the temple for Sri Manjunathaswamy, Annapoorneshwari, Mahaganapati, Subrahmanya Swamy, Nagadevata, Chamundeshwari, Kalabhairava, and Guliga Raja deities, it was revealed that this sacred place holds a history of more than 1,200 years. The area was once a holy land where sages and seers conducted Yagnas and rituals. The sacred river Kaveri flows through the vicinity of this temple, which has earned the title "Kashi of the South" and is an ancient Siddha Kshetra (spiritual place of enlightenment).

In ancient times, the area surrounding this temple was a place for meditation for the Siddhas. There are tombs of Nath Siddhas, cradle tombs, and Neolithic period Nilkal tombs found in this region. In the past, when it was difficult for devotees to visit Kashi, they would visit this sacred place for salvation, evident through the cradle tombs and Nilkal tombs that are still present in the temple area. Over these tombs, ancient kings and rulers carved tridents and symbols of the Sun and Moon to honor the memory of the Siddhas. They inscribed "Om Sri Manjunathaya Namaha" on stones above the tombs.

During meditation, it was discovered that this temple was once connected to ancient places of worship such as Subrahmanya Swamy of Sulurbi in the Pushpagiri mountain range, Bettada Manjunathaswamy, and Kukke Subrahmanya Swamy of the Kumar Parvatha range.

However, due to the passage of time, this holy and spiritual place has fallen into complete disrepair. It was found that rebuilding this temple is necessary for the benefit of mankind and the world, as the presiding deities and divine beings of this temple have always blessed their devotees with success and fulfillment of desires. This has been realized through the worship services performed by devotees at this place.

The government has allocated around 1.5 acres of land for the temple's reconstruction. In addition, a nearby area has been designated as Chamundeshwari Ban (forest). This area is rich in natural beauty with yellow-colored soil. The temple also features a sacred Naga grove where live snakes appear before devotees, which is a unique aspect. Kalabhairaveshwara stands facing south as the temple's guardian, protecting all devotees from evil, bad omens, and the fear of death.

Additionally, the sunrise in this area is a mesmerizing sight. Amidst this scenic natural beauty lies Siddalingapura, home to Siddara Betta on the eastern side, blessed with the presence of Nandinatha (Vrishabanatha). At the foothills of Siddara Betta is the Muneshwara Swamy Temple, and nearby is the Chamundeshwari Temple. Adjacent to it is the ancient Balegarana Katte lake. In the northern part of the temple area, we find the northern-facing Ganapati, and in the western region, Nilkal and cradle tombs. In the southwest, near Basiruguppe, lies the presence of Bhadrakali, while in the south, at Alilukuppe, we find the famous Aluvaradamma temple. Not far from the temple, in the southeastern to northeastern direction, flows the holy river Kaveri, one of the seven sacred rivers. On its banks is the famous temple where the sun touches the Shiva Linga during Uttarayana, enhancing the spiritual energy of this sacred site.

Regards,

Sri Manjunath Kshetra, SRI MANJUNATHA SWAMY DEVALAYA ABHIVRUDHI TRUST (R)

Siddalingapura - Arasinkuppe,
Torenuuru Grama Panchayathi,
Kushalnagar Taluk, Kodagu District.

ಮೃತ್ಯುಂಜಯಾಯ ರುದ್ರಾಯ|

ನೀಲಕಂಠಾಯ ಶಂಭವೇ ||

ಅಮೃತೇಶಾಯ ಸರ್ವಾಯ |

ಮಹಾದೇವಾಯ ತೇ ನಮಃ ||

Sri Manjunathaswamy Temple Renovation Committee

'Self-sacrifice' hero stone discovered in Coorg

| Bangalore Mirror Bureau |

A unique self-sacrifice hero-stone inscription was discovered at Basiruguppe in Torenuru grama panchayat of Somawarpet taluk in Coorg. According to Prof Murugeshi T, associate professor of ancient history and archaeology, MSRS College, the rectangular stone slab of about four feet in height is divided into four sections or panels. On the top first section, there are three lines of writing and fourth line is written on the left side of the stone.The inscription is written in the Kannada script of early 9th century AD. It says that Bhava Gaavunda, son of Naaka Shetty, a chief of elephants, died and some land grants were given.

Murugeshi said that among the depictions on lower most section is one of a self-sacrificing man seated on a legged cot with his hands folded upright on his chest. "He seems to be wearing a headdress like a peta or turban and his eyes are closed. His peaceful appearance clearly indicates that he was ready to self-sacrifice. A man is shown ready with a sword to behead the seated man. In the second panel, the beheaded soul (in t he form of men) is taken by two Gandharva Kanyas (heavenly ladies) to the heaven. In the third panel, he was seated on a two tired seat in a style of Veerasana with two lady attendants by his side are shown standing with a fly-whisk, " Murugeshi said.

A man is shown ready with a sword to behead the seated man. In the second panel, the beheaded soul (in t he form of men) is taken by two Gandharva Kanyas (heavenly ladies) to the heaven. In the third panel, he was seated on a two tired seat in a style of Veerasana with two lady attendants by his side are shown standing with a fly-whisk, " Murugeshi said.

"In the early historical period, we saw the practice of velevyali, lenka, garuda, shulabhrama, siditale, sati and nishadi, and many more types of memorial stones in south India. This inscription belongs to velevyalis or lenka type of memorial stones. They were considered as son of the royal home or mane magan, who sacriticed themselves in honour of their diseased royal persons. The writing of the inscription had shown much similarity with the records of Gangas of Talakad. The name Anniga is also commonly found in Ganga records. In Coorg, many Ganga records have already been reported. Thus, the inscription under study is assignable to the Ganga period," Murugeshi said.

The study was supported by Dr Rajashekharappa, epigraphist, and Napanda Muddappa of Arasinaguppe and Rajeshnath of Yogishwara Mutt of Markanja and Torenuru grama panchayat.