Vidurashwatha
|
Vidurashwatha (ವಿದುರಾಶ್ವತ್ಥ) | |
|---|---|
city | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Chikkaballapur |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 561208 |
| Website | http://vidurashawatha.org/ |
Vidurashwatha (Kannada:ವಿದುರಾಶ್ವತ್ಥ) is a small village located in the Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapur district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated near the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border and about 6 km from Gauribidanur, it played a major role in the Indian independence movement.
Etymology
The name Vidurashwatha is derived from that of a big Ashwatha (sacred fig) tree located in this village. According to a legend of the times of Mahabharata, this tree was planted by Vidura, a courtier in the kingdom of Dhritarashtra; and hence the name Vidurashwatha.[1] Unfortunately, in 2001, this ancient tree fell to the ground.[2]
The legend says that Yamadharma Raja was cursed to be born as a human being and was thus born as Vidura. After seeing all the bloodshed during the war, Vidura became remorseful and asked Krishna for salvation. Krishna asked him to go for a theerthayatra (pilgrimage). After visiting many places, Vidura came to this place, which was actually a hermitage of Maithreya Maharishi. Once during sandhyavandhana in the river, Vidura got a small sapling when he was about to offer argya to Surya. Maithreya Maharishi asked Vidura to worship the sapling to get salvation. With great devotion, Vidura worshiped the sapling and Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, pleased with the devotion, gave him dharshan, and thus the name of the location became Vidura Ashwatha.
Another story is that, a long time ago when the river was flowing rapidly, two brothers who could not cross the river took shelter on the other side of the river bank where there is a temple to Shiva. In the night, one of the brothers dreamed that Ashwathnaryana came and asked the brother to worship him so that he and his future generations would be benefited. The next day the brother was found on the other side of the river bank under the great sacred fig. From then on, the worship of Ashwathnaryana was done by this family only.
History
Vidurashwatha is known as the "Jallianwala Bagh of the South".[1] On April 25, 1938, as a part of the freedom struggle of India, a group of villagers had congregated to organise a Satyagraha. Similar to what happened at Jallianwala Bagh, police fired indiscriminately at the group, resulting in the death of around 35 people. A memorial has been erected in this location bearing the names of those who lost their lives in this incident.[3]
Present
The village has a mosque and a temple and few Shadi Mahals (Marriage hall). The festivals are celebrated with dedication and love.
Notes
- ^ a b A brief description of Vidurashwatha is provided by Priyanjana Dutta. "South India's forgotten Jallianwala". Online Website of IbnLive.com. IbnLive.com. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
- ^ Vidurashwatha: End of Flora-era "The fall of Vidurashwatha's big tree". Online webpage of Thatskannada. Greynium Information Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
- ^ "Vidurashwatha".
