25 November 2013

Koodli, Tunga-Bhadra Sangama

Koodli is a small village in Shimoga District. This is the place where rivers Tunga and Bhadra meet, and then on flow together as Tungabhadra. Hence the name Koodali, which means meet in Kannada. A small temple with nandi denotes the exact point where the two rivers meet, and is considered to be sacred.
As we entered the place a priest asked us to perform special worship to the river, which we ignored and enjoyed the beauty. Just like in any Sangama, due to death rituals performed here, there are so many people behind you demanding bakshish(money).
 At the sangama is a 12th century Rameshwara temple and Narasimha temple built in Hoysala style.

Koodli has Smartha Monastery, stated to have been found in 16th century by Jagadguru Narsimha Bharathi Swamigalu of Sringeri. Within the premises of the matt are the shrines of Sharadamba and Shankaracharya. Koodli is also known as Varanasi of the south, it is home to Rushyashrama, Brahmeshwara, Narasimha and Rameshwara temples.  
Koodli is 15kms from Shimoga and is accessible by road.

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