Sakleshpura - Majarabad Fort; Southadkd

1. Bangalore - Sakleshpura (Donigal)- Manjarabad Fort

Started from Bangalore by own car with driver around 6 AM on 02nd October, this place Donigal, Sakleshpura is around 233kms from Bangalore takes around 3.5hrs. But for us since we took 2 stops inbetween around 2hrs for breakfast & activting my car fastag, we reached there only by around 1PM.

* Started from Bangalore - 6AM (Sompura NICE Road to Nelamangala via Madavara)

* Breakfast @ A2B-Kirisave (163kms)- 11AM (5hrs)

* Dongal -Manjarabad Fort -1:15 PM (7.25 hrs)

Tipu Sultan built the fort in 1792 at a time when he was establishing his sovereignty over Mysore, fighting against other South Indian dynasties. The Sultan wanted to make the highway between Mangalore and Coorg secure for his expansion programs. Because he was allied with the French at that time against the British, he sought the help of French engineers to build a star fort of the European style. The completed fort was inspected by Tipu Sultan who then found it enveloped in fog and hence named it as Manjarabad fort; the name Manjara is a Persian version of 'Manzar' meaning "Scene" which makes Manjarabad as "The city of Scenes or Scenic City".

The fort, as built and existing, is an eight-pointed star. The external walls of the fort have been built with granite stones and lime mortar while the interior buildings, which accommodate army barracks, armoury, stores and others, have been built with fired bricks. Apart from these, two cellars were built next to a deep well (Plus Sign)which were underground structures used to store gunpowder and these rooms remained cool even during summer months. On a clear day, even the Arabian sea can also be seen from the fort.

1. Entrance to the Fort, have some good 250 steps to go up, get the entrance to Fort & a storey up is the Star Shaped Fort center.

3. Plus Sign Deep Well in olden days collect water for Fort gaurds.

4. On a clear day, even the Arabian sea can also be seen from the fort.

2. Kukke Subrhamanya to Dharmasthala on the way - Southadka - Shree Maha Ganapathi Temple.

* Started Kukke Subrahmana around 9AM

* Reached Southadka around 10:20 AM (1.5 hr - 47Kms) - Shree Maha Ganapathi Temple.

 

Dieties: Shree Mahagapathi with MahaVishu and Shiva on either side.

Sowthadka Mahaganapathi was Formerly Planted by the Cow herds. they used to bring cucumbers to eat when they came there with engaging their works. The cucumbers that were bought was also used as an Offering to the Lord. Thus it was for that this place was renowned as :Sowthadka which is derived from the word sowthe meanly cucumber in kannada.

Specialties:

According to temple authorities, of the many sevas offered at the temple, the most popular one is the avalakki panchakajjaya seva (a delicious mixture of beaten rice, jiggery, til, coconut, honey and banana) performed on a regular basis. 

1. Entrance to temple, Ganapathi is visible from everywhere as sits in Open. (Bayilu) 

2. Avalakki Seva to Ganapathi.

More details- ಸೌತಡ್ಕಶ್ರೀ ಮಹಾಗಣಪತಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ - Shivalli Brahmins

3. Ujire - Nada Taluk from Dharmasthala - Surya Temple Ujire – Shri Sadashiva Rudra Temple

* Started from Southadka around 11AM & reached around 12PM (1hr - 28Kms)

Shree Sadashiva Rudra Surya Temple, located in Nada village near Ujire, Karnataka, is a renowned 13th-century spiritual site dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is widely celebrated for its sacred grove, known as the Harake Bana (often associated with Rudra Bana or Mannina Harake Bana), where thousands of clay models are left by devotees as tokens of answered prayers.

Shri Sadashiva Rudra                Rudra Bana (Harake Bana - Place where offerings given as clay toys)

The Significance of Harake Bana (Rudra Bana)

The temple's defining feature is the Harake Bana (Wish Forest). Devotees visit this sacred grove to make a unique eco-friendly vow called Mannina Harake:

• The Custom: When a devotee makes a wish, they promise to offer a clay figurine representing their desire. If they wish for a child, they offer a clay cradle; if they pray for a house or car, they offer miniature clay houses or automobiles.
  
• The Ritual: Once the wish is fulfilled, the devotee returns to the temple with the specific clay model, along with a coconut and rice.
• The Grove: After being accepted by the priest, these clay sculptures are placed in the Harake Bana. Over the years, this has created a striking and vast collection of thousands of multi-shaped clay models under the forest canopy.

Name "Surya"- Origin & Legends

• The Name "Surya": Folklore dictates that centuries ago, a local woman was cutting grass when her sickle struck a stone, causing blood to ooze out. Terrified, she frantically called out to her son, shouting "Sureya". The area eventually came to be known as Surya. 
• The Lingams: At the heart of the grove, you can witness two self-manifested (Swayambhu) stone lingams sitting adjacent to one another. Legend says Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared here to a meditating sage and transformed into these permanent stones

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