Local Highlight this week: 17 February 2013, Idagunji Car festival
Idagunji is a small town, in Honnavara taluk of Uttar Kannada
district, on the Karavali coast of Karnataka. The famous Vinayaka temple is the
main attraction here and receives more than 10 lakh devotees every year.
The Vinayaka temple is an ancient temple, with a
history of more than 1500 years, and is located on the left bank of river
Sharawati. ‘Eda’ (Wamnadi) means ‘to the
left’ and ‘kunj’ means ‘garden’. The importance of Edakunj kshetra has been
mentioned in the Sahyadri khanda of Skandapurana.
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The Legend of Shree Vinayaka, Idagunji
Towards the end of Dwapara
Yuga, Valakhilya, along with other immortal saints, was performing penitential
activities in a forest. Their activities were constantly getting hindered due
to diverse obstacles and hence, the Saint Valakhilya was agitated. When Narada
- the noble saint - visited Valakhilya, he explained his difficult situation to
Narada and requested him to suggest a pragmatic solution to deal with the
obstacles. Narada advised him to worship Lord Vigneshwara (the remover of
obstacles) before starting the penance again.
Valakhilya and
the other saints, along with Narada, started off westwards in search of an
appropriate place to worship Lord Vigneshwara. They came across the Sharavati
River. Located a few miles away, to the left of Sharavati, was a place called
Kunjaranya and Narada suggested it to be a deserving place for their
penitential activities. Narada explained that in the past, the Holy Trinity -
Hari, Hara and Brahma - had performed penance here for the destruction of the
Asuras(the demons). They also created lakes "Chakratirtha" and
"Brahmatirtha" while here.
Narada, with
the help of the saints, created another lake and named it
"Devatirtha". He then offered to bring Lord Ganapathi along with
other Gods, including the Holy Trinity, to the Yagna to be performed at
Kunjaranya. Narada approached Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, and invited them
to attend the Yagna. He also requested Devi Parvathi to send her son, Ganapathi.
Narada's
charisma led all the Gods including Lord Ganapathi to attend the Yagna. The
temple, built specially for the occasion, was decked up with exquisite décor,
glittering diamonds and other precious stones. Ganapathi received the rites,
rituals and ceremonious formalities on the second day of the Yagna.
The great
saints and the Heavenly beings chanted the hymns in praise of Lord Ganapathi.
Ganapathi, magnificently attired, was holding the “Modhaka” and “Padma” in his
hands. Immensely pleased by the devotion of the saints, He expressed his desire
to grant the wishes of his devotees. The other Gods too were impressed and in
return, blessed the saints.
When the other
Gods expressed intent to return to their respective abodes, Ganapathi decided
to stay behind and gratify the desires of his devotees. He also requested the
Gods to leave behind a part of their omniscient power, in the various lakes
there. Also, a lake was bestowed to provide water for Lord Ganapathi’s bathing,
at his request. It was named as "Ganeshtirtha". Therefore, according
to Skanda Purana, Lord Ganapathi stayed in Kunjaranya which is now renowned as Idagunji.
The Idol
The
Ganapathi idol here is in standing posture, and has short legs and a depression
on the head. The “Dwibhuja Ganapathi” (two-shouldered) holds a Modaka and a
Padma (Lotus) in his hands. The idol is made of black stone.
Panchakhadya
prepared for Lord Ganapathi is the special prasada at this temple. Devotees
believe that when one is faced with obstacles, a prayer to Idagunji Ganesha not
only removes the obstacles but also brings out miracles.
Special Attractions
At Idagunji
, the Ganesha masks made out of lavancha (‘sogade beru’ in Kannada or ‘Vetiver’
in English) make good souvenirs. Raw lavancha is also available in plenty. The
lavancha has a pleasant aroma when soaked in water and has medicinal
properties.
The
devotees can also take a dip in the various "Theerthas" and attain
their hearts’ desires.
Location
Idagunji is
located about 14 kms south-east of Honnavara taluk of North Canara District of
Karnataka. The temple is midway between Gunavanteshwara and Murudeshwara, and
is about half-an-hour’s drive from either temples.
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