Shri Shri Shri Sridhara Swami Ashram (Shrine) at Varadapura also known as Varadahalli/Varadalli (Kannada: ವರದಹಳ್ಳಿ / ವರದಪುರ) is one of the holy and famous hill shrine located at the Sagara, Karnataka taluk, Shimoga District, India. This Shrine is 6 km from Sagara, 72 km from Shimoga, 352 km from Bangalore and 800 km from Mumbai.
About Shrine
Saint Shri Shridhara Swami also referred to as "Bhagwan Satguru Shri Shridhar Swami Maharaj" who lived here and spent his last few years of his life preaching the Dharma and some of his principles to his disciples and led the foundation for this Shrine. Kannada: ವರದಹಳ್ಳಿ / ವರದಪುರ is a very picturesque place, full of Nature's bounties worth visiting even if you are not a disciple of Shridhara Swami and not inclined towards spiritualism, after your visit there, you will also become his disciple!
This Shrine consists of Samadhi, Gynan Mandir, Dharma Sthamba, Goshala, Shridhar Teertha.
Samadhi (Tomb) this is the place where all the disciples visit this Ashram (Shrine) as they believe that the saint Shridhar Swami although is omnipresent, he is still in the Ashram (Shrine) always and even with the disciples wherever they are. So the disciple from all over Karnataka frequently visit to the Ashram(Shrine) to seek the blessings of Shridhar Swami.
Dharma Stambha (Crag) with the Dharma Dhwaj(Flag) which is located at the top of the mountain and is 30 feet in height. This Dhwaj(Flag) is made of 5 sacred metals.
Goshala (Cow Shelter) which houses around 250 cows at this
Shrine. It is believed that most of these cows go out of Shrine in the
morning and assemble back near the shrine during dusk at the time of Aarti.
Shridhara Teertha (Sacred Water) Shridhara Teertha is a continuous source of holy water running 24 hours a day formed by Swami,
no one knows the origin of water and there is a pool constructed here
to store the holy water. This water which we the disciples believe will
run till the existence of the Earth is purest in quality, not found in
the areas around and. Even when stored for years together in any clean
container, it never loses the fragrance or is never contaminated. It is
used by the disciples as the sacred Teertha made available to them by
Shridhar Swami
for use during calamities in their family lives or during the pooja. It
is also believed that this holy water has the power to cure the any
kind of disease. Disciples drink and bathe with this holy water. There
is small pond at the Shrine where disciples bathe first and then go into
this holy water.
The Sridhara Mutt (Shrine)
is managed by his own disciples. They are Shridhar's loyal disciples
and have no other interest in life apart from worshipping Shridhar Swami and serving the devotees.
Shrine activities
Sanskrit Pathshala(School)
Sanskrit Pathshala named after Swami where the students learn the Vedas, the Upanishads and the related spiritual literature.
Prasadam activities
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served by the Shrine for the devotees as a Prasada at a communal dining hall daily.
Lodge and Boarding
Those visiting the Ashram(Shrine) can stay here. They are provided with lodging and boarding facilities.Transport
Road
Varadahalli is well connected by road network, below are some of route list:
Note: We do not have a direct K.S.R.T.C(Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) buses available to Varadapura from Bangalore. Need to board the Bus till Sagara, Karnataka and get a Auto rickshaw to Varadapura.
Railway station
Bangalore-Shimoga. Alight at the place Shimoga and then need to board a local Bus to Sagara, Karnataka and finally Auto rickshaw to Varadapura
Mysore-Talaguppa Alight at Sagara, Karnataka railway station and take Auto rickshaw and private buses. Auto rickshaw may charge Rs 100 from Sagara to varadapura
Airport
The nearest airport is at Hubli and International Airport is at Bengaluru. .Photo Gallery:
Shridhar Teertha
Dharma Sthamba
Photos: Shriharsha.B.S.-Banavasi
Information Courtesy: Wikipedia
Categories:
KARNATAKA,
Mutt (Matha),
SHIVAMOGGA
wonderful photos of swamiji's ashrama!
thanks for posting them.
may sadguru bless all of us.