Vidurashwatha Temple

Introduction to the Vidurashwatha Temple

Vidurashwatha is a small village in the Gauribidanur Taluk, Chikkaballapur District, Karnataka. Vidurashwatha Temple is near the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border and 5 km from Gauribidanur. This place and the temple significantly influenced the Indian independence movement. Vidurashwatha Temple is a well-known temple dedicated to Santhana Nagendra Swamy, the presiding deity.

Vishnu, Brahma, and Maheshwara are also worshipped in the Vidhura Ashwatha Narayana Swamy Temple or Vidurashwatha Temple.

The temple is famous for Santana Nagendra Swamy Pooja, Kalasarpadosha Pooja, and Naga Dosha Pooja.

Legend of the Vidurashwatha Temple

There is an interesting legend behind the Vidurashwatha Temple. Once, Yamadharma Raja, the god of death, was cursed to be born as a human. He was born as Vidura. Vidura was a courtier in the kingdom of Dhritarashtra.

He was worried after seeing the deaths and bloodshed during the Kurukshetra war. Vidura asked Sri Krishna for salvation. Krishna told him to go on a pilgrimage. After visiting many places, Vidura came to this place. It was a hermitage of Maitreya Maharishi.

When Vidura was doing Sandhyavandhana in the river, he got a small sapling. Maitreya Maharishi advised Vidura to worship the sapling for his salvation. With great devotion, he worshipped the sapling. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva were pleased with his dedication and gave him darshan. Thus, the name of the location became Vidura Ashwatha.

The name Vidurashwatha is believed to be derived from a big Ashwatha tree (Banyan Tree) located in this village. According to the epic Mahabharata, Vidura planted this tree; hence, it was named Vidurashwatha. Due to heavy rains and floods, this old tree fell in 2001.

The Architecture of the Vidurashwatha Temple

The Vidurashwatha Temple was built during the Chola dynasty period in the 11th century. The temple has seen many renovations and restorations over the years, the most recent being in 2016.

After passing a big temple gate, one can see a huge ground filled with hundreds of stones bearing motifs of serpents. The main temple stands here. Devotees can worship different Naga idols and Shiva Lingam in the sanctum. Though Vidurashwatha Temple is a small temple, it is a Parihara Sthalam for all types of Naga Doshas. There is a river adjacent to the temple. The Vidurashwatha Temple lies in a serene atmosphere.

Historical Significance of Vidurashwatha

Vidurashwatha is also called the Jalianwalabagh of the South because a similar incident occurred here. On April 25, 1938, a group of freedom fighters gathered here to organize a Satyagraha. Police fired indiscriminately at them, resulting in the death of many people. Veera Saudha was built to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in this incident.

Festivals in the Vidurashwatha Temple

Vidurashwatha Jatra is the main festival celebrated in the Vidurashwatha Temple. The temple conducts this fair during March or April of every year. The festival involves a procession of decorated chariots, which carry the idols of Shiva and other deities.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Vidurashwatha Temple

People with Naga Dosha in their horoscopes visit the Vidurashwatha Temple and perform Pariharam (remedies) to dispose of all negative afflictions. Many childless couples visit the temple, worship Santhana Nagendra Swamy, and offer Poojas like Rahu Ketu Pooja, Kalasarpa Dosha Nivarana Pooja, and Naga Dosha Pooja.

People worship here to get rid of all issues identified with Naga Dosha. They perform Naga Dosha Pooja and tie a sacred thread to the Ashwatha Vriksha on the temple premises. Some install Naga idols to ward off Naga Dosha.