Kamalashile and Kattale Basadi

Date: 25-Oct-14

This time, we celebrated Deepavali in Brahmavar. The five-day holiday was packed with family gatherings and celebrations. Amidst all the festivities, we set aside one day to visit the famous Brahmi Durga Parameshwari Temple at Kamalashile.

Located about 60 km from our home in Brahmavar, Kamalashile is one of the well-known pilgrimage destinations near Udupi. This was my first visit to the temple, although Thilak and my in-laws had visited before and were highly impressed by its management and discipline.

Journey through the rain-soaked countryside

We started from home at 11:00 AM. It had been raining since early morning and continued to drizzle as we began our journey. The drive to Kamalashile was incredibly scenic. Dense forests lined both sides of the road, and the gentle rain added a fresh charm to the surroundings.

The journey itself was as enjoyable as the destination. We spent the drive chatting, teasing each other, and sharing plenty of laughs. By the time we reached the temple, it was around noon.

First impressions of Kamalashile

The temple premises were exceptionally well maintained. The atmosphere was calm, peaceful, and welcoming. Flowing beside the temple was the Kubja River, which passed through a narrow channel near the complex.

My mother-in-law mentioned that during periods of heavy monsoon rainfall, the river often swells and floods the surrounding area, with water sometimes entering parts of the temple premises.

Darshana at Brahmi Durga Parameshwari Temple

The temple was not very crowded when we arrived. A notice near the entrance stated that male devotees were required to remove their shirts and banyans before entering the sanctum for darshan. Since my in-laws were familiar with this custom, they had come prepared with shawls. We offered a pooja, and the priest conducted it beautifully. The Mahamangalarathi for Goddess Brahmi Durga Parameshwari was scheduled for 12:30 PM, so we waited in the temple corridor until then.

At exactly 12:30 PM, the temple’s managing trustee, Sri Sachidananda Chatra, arrived and the rituals began immediately. Sri Sachidananda Chatra, one of the partners of the well-known Durgamba Motors, came across as a simple and humble person with a remarkably commanding voice. The pooja here was conducted differently from what we had experienced at many other temples. After the main ritual for the Goddess was completed, the pooja continued at all the other shrines located within the temple complex.

The temple houses several other deities, including Lord Ganapathy, Veerabhadra, Naga Devata, and others. Throughout the ceremony, the trustee personally guided devotees from one shrine to another as the rituals progressed.

What impressed us most was the discipline. Devotees quietly followed the instructions, and even the temple priests coordinated seamlessly with the proceedings. Everything was conducted in an organized and respectful manner, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere.

Temple lunch served with warmth

One of the unique aspects of the temple is that prasada is served as a full meal every day. We had already planned to have lunch at the temple before returning home. As soon as the pooja concluded, devotees were directed to the dining hall, where lunch was served promptly.

The meal was simple, traditional, and delicious. After lunch, we spent some time exploring the temple surroundings, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and taking a few family photographs. We finally left the temple at around 2:30 PM.

A stop at the historic Kattale Basadi

On our return journey, we passed through Barkur and decided to make a quick stop at Kattale Basadi, which was conveniently located along our route. Unfortunately, there was not much left to explore. Most of the structures were in a ruined state. Behind Kattale Basadi, we found two small temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, both of which were also in a deteriorated condition.

These temples date back to the 12th century and stand as reminders of Barkur’s rich historical significance. Barkur was once an important marketplace where valuable items such as gold and pearls were traded. Although the ruins offered only a glimpse into its glorious past, it was interesting to imagine the bustling town that once existed there.

After spending some time exploring the site, we began our journey back home at around 4:00 PM.

Travel snapshot

This was our first family trip together, and we had a wonderful time.

The serene atmosphere of Kamalashile, the lush green roads lined with forests, the laughter-filled drive with family, and the historic ruins of Barkur combined to create yet another memorable travel experience. Sometimes, it is not just the destination that makes a trip special, but the people you share it with. This short journey gave us precious family memories that we will cherish for years to come.

• Route Travelled: Home (Brahmavar) > Barkur > Shankaranarayana > Siddapura > Kamalashile
• Total distance (To & Fro): 120 km
• Photos: None

Route map