IDAGUNJI DEVASTHANA

1OTH OCTOBER 2014

IDUGUNJI

We presumed that Idagunji Devasthana will be a short distance from Sagar, hence thought going for a visit. It was 130 km and two and half hour drive.
Left from Hongirana, Amatekoppa Sagara at 11 am, passed Jog Falls continued driving down in the western ghats, reached Honnavara at 1.30pm. From there, again about 5km along NH17 and a diversion from there about 15km. We reached there by 1.45pm, the temple prasadam was closed and the temple also was closed till 3.00pm
However, we three had a tumbler of payasa as prasada and waited till 3 pm for Darshana of Vinayaka,
Idagunji is a small place in Honnavara taluk, Uttar Kannada district, which has the famous Vinayaka temple. The temple is the main attraction at Idagunji, receiving more than 1 million devotees per year.
Idagunji Devasthana is an ancient temple with a history of more than 1500 years.At the end of 'Dwapara Yuga' great saints were praying to the Sutha-Pouranika at Badarikashrama. Shri Krishna had implied to eliminate the on coming doshas of 'Kaliyuga'. The divine saint, Valakhilya initiated narrating the significance of Kunjavana.

The great saints and Heavenly beings chanted the hymns in praise of Lord Ganapathi. Ganapathi, magnificently attired, was holding “Modhaka” and “Padma” in his hands.
Immensely pleased by the devotion rendered on him by the saints, Ganapathi expressed his desire to grant the wishes of his devotees. The other Gods were cherished and treated equivalently. They also blessed their worshippers. The other Gods appealed to go to their original places. Ganapathi emphasized his decision to stay and gratify the desires of his devotees. He also implied the Gods to leave behind a part of their omniscient power in the various lakes encompassed there.
The devotees can attain their hearts desires by dripping into the varied "Theerthas" and by offering pujas to Him. A lake was bestowed to provide water for bathing at Ganapathi's request. It was named as "Ganeshtith".So according to this purana , Lord Ganapathi stayed in the place Kunjaranya which is now renowned as Idagunji.
This brief summary explains the legendary and historical significance of the sanctity place of Idagunji.
Mhatobar Shree Vinayaka Devaru has been granting the wishes of thousands of people who regularly visit this place from year to year.

written Sunday, 12 October 2014