Chikkerur Photos: A Day at Navabrindavana

Time :10.30pm

A Chilly winter evening of 7th Dec 2007...

It was the start of weekend,when a few were enjoying parties on the late night of friday,few others already in bed but 7 of us were boarding sHimshumara our ratha for journey towards the serene and divine place of Navabrindavana.

After a long but smooth 6hr journey we reached Hospet Uttaradhi Mutt at 5.30am.Had a short nap for an hour after that night journey and moved towards Anegundi.By 7.30am we were at the Island of Navabrindavana Gadde.

Ambiga approaching to pick us

Come on folks ' Get In

All 7 of us got in that small coracle

Reached the island to see a huge contingent of bhaktas already in the river bathing.The rocks were slippery and as we ventured in, Narry was the first to slip and skid :P
Holding each other's hand we slowly moved into the river.

Tunga snana was an awesome experience.After snana and sandhyavandane we joined hands in fetching water for cooking.The food was being prepared in between two huge boulders which had formed in as a cave. We were surprised as to how all these huge vessels and cooking materials were bought in crossing the river.There are no bridges here and the only means of transport is coracle to cross the river and then a walk of about a km on the rocks.

We witnessed Sri Rama Devara Pooja performed by Shri Satyatma Teertharu.

Shri Satyatma teertharu performing Sri Ram devara pooja

Then it was time for Shri Padmanabha teerthara Panchamrutha abhisheka.

Shri Padmanabha Teertharu Abhisheka by Shri Satyatma teertharu

Shri Padmanabha Teertharu with full alankara

The pooja got over by 1o.30am with maha mangalarthi and tirtha distribution.It was time for TP and this was the first time I found the place just mesmerizing !We were served TP on the bank of river.Everyone occupied there place on the rocky banks of river and enjoyed the feast.Thank you Annadata.

By 12 we were free and headed towards Shri Narahari Teertharu brindavana.

Return journey by coracle

The team at NB-Narasimhachar,Vijay,Harish,Sri Venkatesh Achar,Venugopal,Srinivas,me

The bird's eye view at the brindavana of Shri Narahari Teertharu

Reached Hampi Vijaya Vittal temple by12.30.Drove along a narrow path by the side of temple to reach the river shore again.Here again we need to cross the river jumping over the boulders.After a short walk we finally reached the hill top and bowed to the great saint Shri Narahari Teertharu.

Pebble treasure on our way

Shri Narahari Teertharu

The breeze was cool and everyone's stomach was full.Obviously it was time for a nap :)
We had a quick nap on the boulders with the cool wind blowing along in the silent island.

View from the top of the hill

Coconut groove on the other side of river

After a nap we moved towards the river to fresh up.As we dipped our legs in - it was an enchanting moment for everyone.The turbulence created by the gushing water was like a massage for our legs. Naturopathy !

River Close up

Harish - the crusader

Srini still sleepy

After a while we moved towards the Gold city of Hampi.

The remains of Gopura at Vijaya Vittala temple

The beedi where Precious stones and Gold were sold in open !

The tree :)

Sri Hanuman

Art !

Stone Chariot - Icon of Hampi

Srini...still sleepy :P

After having glance of Vijaya vittala temple,we moved towards Yanthrodaraka Hanuman temple.Had the darshana of Sri Hanuman and chanted Yanthrodaraka Hanuman Mantra for a while.Also visited Sri Rama Sita Lakshmana Sugreeva temple- unique one..

We were again back into coracle to move towards Sri Raghunanada Teerthara brindavana.

Ambiga na ninna nambidey

The first one is our coracle :)

Architecture on heights

smiles as we reached the shore

Shri Raghunanda Teerthara brindvana premises

Time was around 6pm and we quenched our thirst with fresh tender coconuts. Drove towards hospet to reach Uttaradhi mutt.Had night TP and started our journey back to bangalore.