The two sounds of Udupi

The two sounds of Udupi

By

Murali Murthy

It's about 2 sounds...The one that you hear, the one that comes from inside.

The sound of "Krishnaya Namaha" chants at Udupi Krishna temple, and the sound of the emotions & bhakthi I feel inside,

The rhythmic sound that comes from the Dakke (Drum) during Dakkebali, and the sound of energy & vibrations I sense inside,

The sound of the splashing waves, and the sound of the silence and calmness inside me,

The crunching sound when I munch on Mandakki upkari, and the sound of the soul satisfying taste.

I don't know how to express in words what I feel each time I visit the Parashurama Kshetra, it gives new experiences, it makes me feel the power of the divine, it makes me feel closer to the nature, it makes me feel the god and goodness. It's a mixed feeling of being content to realize how blessed I am, at the same time feel frustrated at the miserable, mechanical, mundane life filled with artificiality, amidst insanity, mediocrity amongst irrational, mindless people, in a frenzy city like Bangalore, living in the concrete jungle, where sun shine won't fall, and no water in the ground.

Only Krishna can save me from all these! Hopefully Soon!

Another event at Saligrama, and a reason to visit Udupi.

Off late I prefer to travel by Train to Udupi, than driving down...maybe the age is showing up, both for me and my Car!

It's a relaxing journey, especially when you travel with family and elderly.

As we reached Udupi early in the morning, we checked into the Hotel Krishna Residency and quickly got ready to start the Trip with darshana of Krishna. After a satisfying Darshana, Seve and experiencing Krishna, had a sumptuous meal at Chowki Pankthi at Krishna Mutt.

I had booked a self drive Car as it was a 4 day long stay at Udupi, and had lined up lot of travel around.

We visited Maiya's ancestral home at Udyavara, picked up Preeti's parents and started the outing from Vinayaka Temple in their village.

The destination for the day was Anantha Padmanabha Temple in Perdooru, 22 KMs from Udupi.

A beautiful temple with a picturesque pond was just so calming. Offering Banana to the deity is the ritual here.

A pitstop at Mantapa hotel is mandatory, that serves some tasty local delicacies.

Next day, again started the day having darshan of Krishna.

We headed to spend the day at Puthige moola Mutt, 17 KMs away from Udupi.

My second visit to the Mutt, extremely calming experience, and it being a Vidyapeeta as well, the class rooms, the synchronised chants by the Students, beautiful nature around with River flowing besides the Mutt, it was oozing divinity.

The main purpose of this trip - to be part of Dakkebali event. Ashwin & Deepti also joined that day. Dakkebali is a form of worship local to Tulunadu. It's both artistic and spritual, as the deity is called upon by playing music, Dakke instrument, dance, flowers, festivity, until the deity possess the executant. Once he is possessed, the priests and the localites puts Prashne seeking answers to problems of individuals and general societal issues. It is gripping to listen to those conversations of the Deity and the Localites.

It was my 3rd experience of Dakkebali/Kola and it was the same electrifying, intense and goosebumps moment to watch the proceedings.

The ritual got over by midnight, and Dinner was served at the Temple - Brahmalingeshwara Temple in Yedbettu.

I had never eaten such a elaborate, tasty 5 course meal at that hour!

One day, and two completely contrasting experiences! My perception of spirituality was challenged with a calm, knowledge seeking divinity, and on the other hand, this intense ritual of getting the deity to speak!

Next day we started the day bit late, and we headed for Nagana puje at Nagana katte belonging to Maiya family.

We came back to Udyavara for breakfast and enjoyed the local delicacy - Kotte Kadbu. I have written earlier as well how beautiful Preeti's ancestral house is!

Lots of places were lined up for the day.

We drove to Guru Narasimha Temple in Saligrama, did seve there and Lunch as well.

After a super tasty lunch at the temple, we rested for a while, before we proceeded to our next place - Anegudde.

The famous Anegudde Vinayaka temple is a place where we usually do not miss during Udupi trips

The next stop was GowrigaDhe/Huvinakere. It was a special place, as Sri Vadirajaru was born here.

It was a spellbound moment, as it was a place all of us felt good to visit.

Guddattu Ganapathi was our next destination.

We ended our temple run at Kalinga mardhana Krishna mandira in Neelavara. It is infact a massive Goshala that houses over 3000 cows of various breeds. The caretaker was excited and elated to show us around.

The Krishna Mandira is a beautiful setup in the middle of a man made Pond.

The last day of the trip, and we spent more time at Krishna Mutt in the morning, extremely happy and elated to have very good darshan of Krishna.

Second half was a short drive to Kallu Ganapathi, a small hillock and a 500 years old small temple between the rock boulders. The rock formations overlooks a beautiful stream of river, nature's wonder deserves all the appreciation and respect.

In the evening, the ladies got busy with shopping at Udupi. The only dull and boring moment for me at Udupi!

We ended the trip at Pithrody Beach and witnessed an amazing view of the sunset.

We returned back by night train and here I am back to Bangalore, with 100s of mails in the Inbox, payments to be made, payments to be followed up, back to the grind, yet replaying the magical, heavenly, beautiful 4 days we spent at Udupi.

Every visit makes me feel I am better connected to the world, in better control of myself and my temper, I am myself when in Udupi.

But now, back to the grind, leading a Deja Vu life!

The spritual connect, the feel of spiritualism is real and people here practice, live, breath Hindu culture and rituals.

The pseudo Hindus, and the politicians pushing their agenda and propoganda that Hinduism is in danger falls flat on their face if they even come out of their bubble.

If Hinduism is in danger, it's because of us Hindus not practicing our culture, living in Cities & Abroad without any connect to the Nature, inclined to believe modern day Gurus, new age spirituality and trusting Politicians to protect Hinduism than practicing what it preaches!