GANESH UTSAV AT CHHEBBI

GANESH UTSAV AT CHHEBBI

Chhebbi is a small village near Hubli, Karnataka. The Ganesh Utsav (celebration) here has a hoary tradition, having started from way back in 1827. it is not just a local happening but people from all over visit Chhebbi during the festival.

The main attraction of the festival is that Lord Ganesh worshipped here is a powerful one and grants boons to the devotees. It is believed that one’s wishes will definitely be granted by Lord Ganesh and there are many who vouch for this.

How  Ganesh Utsav at Chhebbi came about makes an interesting story. Shri Krishnendra  Swami was traveling along the highway to Hubli and it was time for morning ablutions. Instead of going to known persons at a bigger village, he chose to go to the smaller village of Chhebbi nearby. There Shanbhog Tammappa welcomed the swami with full honours and performed padapooja ( worshipping the feet),gave Bhiksha and offered food.

The swami was pleased and blessed Tammappa and bade him to worship Lord Ganesh on every Ganesh pooja day i.e.shuddha chaturthi (4^th day of the waxing phase of the moon) of Bhadrapada month. This would correspond roughly to the month of August/ September. The swami blessed the couple to beget progeny and wealth and  went on his way to Hubli. By the by, a son was born to Tammappa and he also became wealthy and well to do. The Ganesh pooja thus started in 1827 , is continuing till this day. The pooja is currently done by 5^th generation descendants of Tammanna.  There are 5 families conducting the pooja and these are performed separately.

On chaturthi day,  red coloured Ganesh idol is brought in a palanquin with music and pomp and placed in a specially erected mandap(platform). Head of family does Punyahvachan (holy recitation) and Prana Prathishtapana( ritual holy placing) of the idol is performed.   He then passes on the authority to selected Brahmins  to perform daily ritual pooja to the idol. Every night, music concerts and bhajans are held.

The festival runs for 3 days.  Highlight of 3^rd  day is that Brahmins and family head perform an elaborate pooja and Brahmins bless the family head with the punya  of their pooja , this is Chhebbi Ganesh Utsav’s speciality. Also after midnight, the idol is ritually dislodged from the mandap and taken in a procession to the lake and immersed.

The Lord Ganesh of Chhebbi is famous as a powerful one and as a giver of boons. Devotees  bring betel nuts, rudrakshas or fruits and offer to the Lord , worship and keep them with them. It is believed that by keeping these, all the wishes will be fulfilled. It is a tradition for devotees to return to Chhebbi after their wishes are fulfilled and worship the Lord again.

There are heavy crowds on Ganesh pooja days and the village wears a festive look.

Chhebbi on Ganesh Utsav  is certainly worth visiting.

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SCENIC SHRUNGERI

SCENIC SHRUNGERI

As it is western ghats in Karnataka are scenic enough. But Shrungeri (or Sringeri) the famous pilgrimage centre, is exquisitely scenic.

Greenery all around and calm surroundings.  Majestic hills overlooking the river Tunga that meanders in front of the Shri Sharadamba(goddess Saraswati) temple, Unending  stream of visitors. All add to the experience that is Shrungeri.

Shrungeri is in Chikmagalur  district of Karnataka, some 340 kms. from Bangalore and 103 kms. from Chikmagalur. Another great holy centre Horanadu is 75 kms. away.

The math at Shrungeri is known as Shrungeri Sharada Peetham (SSP). It is one of the 4 Hindu Advaita maths established by  Adi Shankaracharya in 9^th century AD. The head of the math is called Jagadguru (teacher of the world in Sanskrit) and also carries the Shankaracharya name as a title. His Holiness Bharati Tirtha Swamiji is the present Shankaracharya.

SSP runs no.of educational institutes, the important ones being Vedic Pathashalas.

Shrungeri is home to a number of historic temples and are maintained by SSP.
Shri Sharada Temple  is dedicated to Goddess Sharadamba, the Goddess of learning and wisdom. Adi Shankaracharya installed Goddess of learning, Sri Sharadamba over a Sri Chakra fixed on a rock on the left bank of river Tunga.

 The Vidyashankara Temple was built in the year 1338 A.D. in memory of the pontiff Vidyashankara by Vidyaranya, patron-saint of Hakka and Bukka, the brothers who founded the Vijayanagara Empire.

 SSP has also played an important role in preserving the natural beauty of Shrungeri.
Solar power is used almost everywhere in the campus and on the ceremonial chariot.

SSP runs guest houses for the visitors and serves free lunch and dinner every day.

Navarathri is the most important festival in Shrungeri. Special Pujas and Archanas are offered to Goddess Sharadamba at the temple for nine days. A ceremonial procession takes place during these days, in October/ November.

unique experience

HORANADU is a peaceful,small place. nestling amongst the lush greenery of western ghats of Karnataka.
It is a venerated pilgrimage centre where a magnificent temple to Goddess Annapoorneshwari stands tall. It has a hoary past and is visited by innumerable devotees and other travellers.

When I visited it recently, it was drizzling but made no difference to the excitement of seeing the holy image of the Goddess. The calm surroundings, quiet yet rigorous religious rituals gave a unique satisfaction. The idol of Shri Annapoorneshwari is divinely enchanting.

The temple has a tradition of serving all the 3 meals  a day to every visitor to the temple.the meals are pure vegetarian affair, simple and tasty. The meals are served in a systematic and orderly manner in the spacious dining hall adjacent to the temple. One may donate grains and cereals, and if u wish, the money equivalent to the quantity to be donated.

Horanadu is some 135 kms. from Shimoga, and some 75 kms. from  another great temple town,Shrungeri.