Gowribidanur Visit

Here’s our first post on places in and around Bangalore that you could take off to if you have a complete day at your disposal.

Gowribidanur, a small town, about 100 km. from Bangalore, past Doddballapur, is well known on two counts. One for being a place where the ‘Second Jallianwallah Bagh’ type shooting took place. Two, for a temple that is steeped in mythology. Apparently, it also has an earthquake monitoring facility but we didn’t feel no tremors during our visit, so can’t confirm that to you folks. :)

Ok, for the serious bit now.

On April 25, 1939 or thereabouts, about 9 - 10 people were fired upon and killed during a peaceful Jathre ( village fair ). Apparently, there was a demonstration by Satyagrahis who demanded lowering the British flag and hoisting one of Bharat Mata. Furious that such an event could even be contemplated, officers from a police station nearby rushed in and opened fire killing 9 people, innocents included. Check out the photos for a memorial honouring the martyrs.

Mythology, as the temple here - Vidhura Aswathnarayana temple - was consecrated and blessed by none other than Krishna after the Mahabharat war. Apparently, the court advisor, Vidhura, apprehending the terrible consequences of a war between the Pandavas and their cousins the Kauravas, was advised to leave the kingdom by Krishna. The latter was of the opinion that it was Dharmic war and hence its necessity. Vidhura, dejected, leaves the kingdom and comes to South India for solace and meditation. Finding himself at the ashram of Maitreyi Maharishi on the banks of the Pinakini River, he resides there. Later, after the war, Krishna in disguise appears at the Ashram and advises Sage Maitreyi to plant a tree in honour of Vidhura. This tree, now gnarled, bent, withered and supported by a wall is supposed to be life giving. Hence, childless couples or those facing difficulties finding a lifepartner, come to worship the Aswathnarayana temple sorrounding the tree. On having their wishes fulfilled, they leave behind a set of three Nagakals for having their ‘naga dosha’ removed.

So goes the above stories told to us (& listened to with rapt attention, needless to add!) by a teacher at the Satyagraha High School, nearby the temple.