Kunjarugiri is a village in Udupi
district in the Indian
state of Karnataka.
It is located about 11 km from Udupi City near Moodubelle.
The main attraction of the village is a hill, known as Durga Betta, on which is
located a temple of Durga,
known to locals in the Tulu language as Kunjar Amma. Parashurama
is credited with erecting the temple in honour of the divine mother Adi Shakti.
Sri Madhvacharya,
the founder of the Dvaita
school of philosophy, used to visit the Durga temple every day during his
childhood. Around the hill, there are four ponds or thirthas which were
visited by Sri Madhva everyday. The four ponds are called Dhanus Thirtha, Gada
Thirtha, Bana Thirtha and Parashu Thirtha.
Shree Durgadevi of Kunjarugiri:
Kunjarugiri is reputed for its sanctity owing to the celebrated Durga Temple
on a high hillock popularly known by the names: Kunjarugiri, Durgabetta and
Vimanagiri.. This potent Durga Saannidhya, which was installed by none other
than Lord Parashurama.
The high
hills, abodes of Shree Durga and Lord Parashurama, look like “Kunjara”
(Elephant) for which the place is known as “Kunjaragiri” or “Kunjarugiri”.
It is
also reputed as “Vimanagiri” because the Gods and Godesses came by “Vimana”
to offer floral tribute, when Jaganmatha Durga was installed on the hill by the
Lord Parashurama.
Sacred
association of Vishwaguru Shri Madhwacharya – gives it a
prominent place in the spiritual sphere.
The
ancient Durga temple stands on the top of Vimanagiri amidst the lush green
groves of hilly serenity. This very serene location of the temple, its
antiquity and the divinity of the magnificent idol of the Goddess, at once
creates a memorable feeling of long lasting devotion and piety in the
hearts of the devotees. It has been the experience of every devotee who visits
the temple for worship. The devotees feel the spiritual solace and the potent
protection at the feet of Durgadevi. The holy atmosphere in and around the
shrine, the holy Theerthas, the Lord Parashurama Temple and the nearness to
Paajaka Kshetra makes it an important place for the pilgrims.
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