For part I click here.
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| The two trees and a shrine on the northern side of the temple |
After the pooja we stepped out through the northern door that led us to a small lawn. Two massive trees fast outgrowing the cemented seat at the base of their trunks stood there. The warriors from days of yore, immortalized in the hero stones, were resting here, weather worn and telling stories of their life and death. Those few who have the time and patience to linger a bit longer in their presence, might get to learn more about these centuries old brave-hearts who lay down their lives for various noble causes.
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| Hero stones at the base of the tree |
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| The two adorable doors guarding the shrine |
Just ahead was another smaller shrine. The years had obviously taken a toll on this beautiful structure and all that remained now were 4 columns supporting a roof, sheltering another small Linga and a Nandi. A pair of most adorable doors still stood proudly guarding the shrine, even though there was nothing to guard.
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| The path to the confluence. River Bhadra can be seen on the right. |
It was now time to visit the point of the confluence. Less than 100 meters of sloping walk from the temple and a few steps led us to Tunga and Bhadra coming together. A few people were winding up their ablutions after offering their prayers to their loved ones who had passed. We waited some distance away waiting for our turn to visit the holy point.
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| Panoramic view of the confluence. Tunga coming in from the left and Bhadra from the right. |
I stood there listening to the music of the rivers. It was a still evening, so the gentle bubbling provided a soothing rhythmic sound. Which side is Tunga and which side is Bhadra, I wondered aloud. I guess I was really loud, because one gentleman suddenly volunteered to explain about the significance of the place. Tunga flows from the left and Bhadra is coming in from the right, he said and added that the right way to visit the confluence was to first seek permission from the deity inside the temple and then tell a special prayer before going near the water.
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| The shrine at the point of confluence |
There is another small shrine right at the point where Tunga and Bhadra meet. We had to sprinkle some of the holy water on ourselves and offer another handful of the water to that shrine. He then went on to insist I repeat the prayer after him and kept a keen eye as we followed the rest of the process too, making sure nothing was missed. Only after that did he go on his way.
It was only much later that night did I realize the reason universe had taken me to that place at that time and brought that gentleman into my life to guide me. I was meant to be there at that time. It was the universe's way of helping me bid goodbye to a dear aunt who had left for the other world just around the same time we were there. As I sat silently, gazing at the stars and trying to understand the way everything had panned out, I realized I still did not know the meaning of that prayer, just that I was supposed to recite it at that time.. The universe had made sure of that. It was an overwhelming feeling and this would probably be one of the most memorable visits for me.
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| Inside the Sri Chintamani Narasimha Swamy Temple |
Sri Chintamani Narasimha Swamy Temple stands silently right beside the Ramesvara temple. This temple is deemed to be older than the latter, but we could not find any further information on it. We stepped in just for a bit. This temple has been partly painted and renovated. The top gopura was simple and un-ornate, with very few carvings. Inside, few lathe carved pillars supported the ceiling. The sanctum as well as the outer walls were painted in white. The lady there informed us that Prahalada himself had worshipped there.
As we left from there I could only imagine how glorious that place would look in monsoon, with both the rivers rushing furiously from either sides to form the incredible Tungabhadra.
Koodli is undeniably the perfect place to worship both, the temple and the nature.
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