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.

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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 Padmanabha 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 13th century and was a contemporary of Sri Narahari Theertharu
another distinguished disciple of Sri Madhvacharya. His Aaradhana is
celebrated on Kartika Bahula Chaturdasi.
Sri Vyasarayaru popularly called as Sri Vyasarajaru the great saint and a
reputed propagator of Madhva (Dvaita) philosophy who lived in the 15th
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.

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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

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(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.

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Those who are visiting Nava Brundavana please do not miss to visit and
have darshan of Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy believed to have been installed
by Sugreeva, Yanthroddharaka Hanuman and of course the historical Hampi
town. 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.
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.

Aapadamouli paryantam Gurunaam aakrtim smaret

Tena vighnaah pranasyamti siddhyanticha manorathaah

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
bhargavasarma

PS
To have a look at the pictures of
Nava-Brundavana click the following link…….

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2011/01/nava-brundavana-
darshan-anegundi.html