Nava Brundavana (Anegondi) - A rare pilgrimage

    Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!

Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!

Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaya!

Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

    Nava Brundavana

 
 (a rare pilgrimage)

Location

Nava-Brundavana a small island in the Tungabhadra River is situated near Anegondi in Gangavathi Taluk of Koppal district in Karnataka state. It is approximately 20 km from Gangavathi which was earlier in Raichur district.  At the same time Nava-Brundavana is also nearby to Hampi, 12 km away from Hospet in Bellary district of Karnataka state.  Anegondi the last capital of Vijayanagara Empire is standing as a witness to the rise and fall of Vijayanagara dynasty during which period Nava Brundavana had taken birth.

(An aerial view of Nava Brundavana)

Significance of Nava-Brundavana

The name Nava-Brundavana is self explicit. Nava means nine. This is an abode chosen by nine eminent Saints (Yatis) of Aacharya Sri Madhva’s heritage for their mortal remnants to be laid to rest. 

These nine great Saints are…

1.   Sri Padmanabha Theertharu

2.   Sri Kaveendra Theertharu

3.   Sri Vageesa Theertharu

4.   Sri Govinda Wodeyaru

5.   Sri Vyasa Theertharu

6.   Sri Raghuvarya Theertharu

7.   Sri Srinivasa Theertharu

8.   Sri Ramachandra Theertharu

9.   Sri Sudheendra Theertharu

Very prominent among the nine are...

Sri Padmanaabha Theertharu, who was a highly distinguished scholar and foremost among the direct disciples of Sri Madhvacharya, the founder of Dvaita philosophy and who later succeeded him (Sri Madhvacharya).  He lived during 13^th century and was a contemporary of Sri Narahari Theertharu another distinguished disciple of Sri Madhvacharya. His Aaradhana is celebrated on Kartika Bahula Chaturdasi.
 

Sri Vyaasarayaru popularly called as Sri Vyasarajaru the great saint and a reputed propagator of Madhva (Dvaita) philosophy who lived in the 15^th Century, during the historical days of Vijayanagara (Hampi) empire.  He was the Raja Guru of Sri Krishna Devaraya, the popular king of Vijayanagara dynasty.  He had helped Sri Krishna Deva Raya to pass through major crisis in his life. For a brief period he had even ascended the throne of Vijayanagara Empire in order to protect Sri Krishna Deva Raya from an astrological menace.

It is said that at one point of time Sri Vyasarayaru had even conducted the daily pooja rituals of Lord Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala temple for a period 12 years, when it was hampered during the time of Vijayanagara King Saluva Narasimha Raya.  He lived for more than 90 years and made Brindavana pravesa near Anegondi on the banks of river Thunga Bhadra.  He is the one who has initiated for the Daasakoota headed by Saint Sri Purandara Dasaru. Sri Vyaasa Rayaru was an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman, during whose period 732 Hanuman idols were installed or consecrated at various locations across South India. Prominent among them is the famous temple of Yanthroddharaka Hanuman at Chakratheertha in Hampi.
 

Right opposite to the Moola Brundavana of Sri Vyasarayaru, there is a small temple of Lord Hanuman the idol of which is said to have been installed by Sri Vyasarayaru himself which is depicted in the form of Avathara thraya Sri Hanuma, Bheema and Madhva holding sacred manuscripts in both the hands.  We find the Brundavana of Sri Vyasarayaru majestically carved with four pillars in front of it.  Aaradhana of Sri Vyasarayaru is celebrated on Phalguna bahula Thrutheeya.

Another prominent saint personality was Sri Sudheendra Theertharu who was the Vidya Guru of Sri Raghavendra Swamy (Rayaru) of Mantralayam. His aaradhana is celebrated on Phalguna Bahula Dwiteeya.

Why particularly this place?

Hampi within whose territories Nava-Brundavana is situated is considered as a part of the erstwhile legendary Kishkindha Nagara of the epic Ramayana period ruled by the great Vanara King Vaali and later by his brother Sugreeva.  Lord Hanuman associated with Vanara King Sugreeva dwelled at this place and it is believed that Lord Sri Rama had met Sri Hanuman for the first time in this region. Lord Sri Rama and his brother Sri Lakshmana during the course of their search for Goddess Sita Devi stayed in this region for some time.  Some of the legendary names of Ramayana period that we hear like, Maalyavantha Parvatha, Rishyamooka Parvatha are believed to be in this region. Sacred theerthas like Chakra Theertha, Pampa Sarovara are located in this belt apart from the sacred river Tungabhadra.  With so much of sanctity attached behind this place these Saints had chosen this highly sacred and serene place for their final journey on this Earth.

How to Reach Nava-Brundavana?

There are two routes to reach Nava-Brundavana.  One is via Gangavathi and another is via Hampi.  If it is from Gangavathi one has to pass through Anegondi village. If it is from Hampi there is no need to enter into the village.  Either way one has to cross the river Tungabhadra by boat or a raft (country boat) known locally as Theppa.  Since I have chosen the route via Hampi I am providing the directions to Nava-Brundavana accordingly.  Hampi can be easily reached via Hospet which is well connected by rail and road from Guntakal, Bellary and Bangalore.

From Hampi one has to reach a place called Thalarikhatta Gate situated at the periphery of the historical town Hampi.  Upto this point one can go by a vehicle. One has to make own arrangements for transportation.  From there, one has to walk up to the Ferry point where one can board a country boat to cross the river Tungabhadra.  It takes hardly 10 minutes to cross the river.  However there will be some waiting time at the Ferry point depending on the rush.  After crossing the river one has to walk a distance of approximately a kilometer to reach the NavaBrundavana.  One has to be prepared to walk on rocks, sand, pebbles and pass through a narrow culvert on the way.  During monsoon it is not possible to visit Nava Brundavana as it will be difficult to cross the river which will be flooded. 

The place Nava Brundavana does not have any facilities for stay and food which one can have either from the Uttaradhi Mutt or the Rayara Mutt located in Anegondi village nearby with advance intimation.  Daily pooja and rituals are performed by Archaka coming from Anegondi village, available for couple of hours from morning 8.00 am onwards. During Aaradhana days of the relevant Saints special arrangements are made by the respective Mutts and there will be a big gathering on those occasions.

Address of Uttaradhi Mutt & Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt at

Nava Brundavana,

Anegondi, Gangavathi Taluk,

Koppal District, Karnataka

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt: Tele: 08533-267733

Sri Uttaradhi Mutt: Tele: 08533-267562, 94492-53155

Apart from the nine Brundavanas, also situated within the same campus are an ancient temple of Lord Hanuman and Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy behind the Brundavanas slightly on an elevated platform.  We find people lighting lamps in these temples. All these nine Brundavanas do not have any roof and are in the open sky. To maintain spiritual sanctity one is not expected to touch these Brundavanas and we find a boundary line marked yellow around these Brundavanas. Those who are visiting Nava Brundavana please do not miss to visit and have darshan of Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple (Lord Sri Rama) believed to have been installed by Sugreeva, Yanthroddharaka Hanuman and of course the historical Hampi town the world heritage center.

  

One should not miss to visit this rare and spiritually energized place at least once in their life time and seek the blessings of nine great Gurus who are spiritually present in Brundavanas. These nine Brundavanas are standing as a testimonial to the glory and significance of Madhva philosophy and culture. Amply sanctified with the presence of Moola Brundavanas of nine eminent Saints, Nava Brundavana has become one of the revered pilgrim centers in general and for the Madhva fraternity in particular.

Aapaadamouli paryantam Guruunaam aakrtim smaret
Tena vighnaah pranasyamti siddhyanticha manorathaah

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

Nava Brundavana Darshana (Anegondi) - Photos