Gonibeedu – My native

Let me introduce my native to you.

Gonibeedu, Gonibeed, Gonibed, Gonibidu, Goneebeedu, are some of the spellings usually used. But I always prefer using Gonibeedu as I feel its just right. It is in Mudigere Tq of Chikmagalore District. Paddy fields surrounded by coffee plantations, areca nut plantations, pepper, cardamom, and lush greenery, this place, I feel, is next to heaven. (Come on! it's my native – I can say this)

My native is a small village in the midst of nature. It is a hobli HQ with good population, sufficient facilities and infra. It's on a state highway which is getting converted to a national highway, so soon I expect more growth at my native. Some minerals and all that are found close to my native. Am not sure what tomorrow my native would be, but today it's a heaven. Limited mobile network (only BSNL and Airtel) barely polluted air, water and lush greenery, makes it an awesome place to relax. Few tourists, un exploited natural beauty are the specialities of my native. So please do not expect any cottage, resort or anything close by. If you know someone, then your accommodation have to be their house otherwise just read my blog and imagine your self roaming around at my native and be happy.

Gonibeedu – The name has come from a demon 'Ghonasura' who ruled this place long time ago. Threatened and tortured by the demon, people of this locality prayed Shiva or Subrahmanya to kill the demon and relieve them from his clutches. So the name of the place which was Ghonasuraveedu or some thing similar retained and became 'Gonibeedu', and God Subranmanya settled here protecting the village.

Gonibeedu has 4 places to visit and it is closely located to 3 or 4 more places which are worth visiting. Here is the list:
Adi Subrahmanya Swami temple
Hanuman Mandir
Male Mallappana Gudda (Aane Mallappana Gudda)
Gavi Gudda
Angadi
Devavrunda
Nanya Bhairaveshvara (Shishila)

Adi Subrahmanyeshwara Temple - This temple is said to be the oldest subrahmanya temple. My grandpa used to tell me that only after the prasadam from this temple reach kukke, they used to start the “rathotsava” the annual fair there.

Its a small temple built by the Hakka Bukkaraya, (Details by my grandpa) am Agrahara was build and hundreds of archers of land was given as 'umbali' to the temple. 30 – 40 families from north India came and settled down here. My ancestors were one among them. (Source again my grandpa)

Agrahara temple (as usually called by the local people) is in the banks of the river Hemavathi. A big Champak tree with flower all round th year, banyan tree, 'nagara katte' are all on the way from temple to the river.

Hemavathi river called 'yenne hole' is well suited for playing in water. In winter and summer its only 4 to 6 feet deep and great fun to play and pass time. However, in rainy season it it around 20 – 30 feet wide and 15 – 20 feet deep. With its red muddy water, it looks wild and beautiful.

You can witness some beautiful sunsets sitting on the banks of Hemavathi in the winter and summer seasons. In rainy season, it rains heavily here. (Gonibeedu is a part of Malenaadu – Heavy rain area in the southwestern part of Karnataka.)

Hanuman Mandir – hope you know that in the entrance of every village they keep a statue of Hanuman so that none of the evils enter the village. Because of the same reason we do have a Hanuman statue. However, a devotee named Rajappan Chettiyar has built a beautiful spacious temple for the statue and so this place is in the list. Today, when someone gives a fan to a hospital or temple, you could see their whole family history on it. But him, after constructing such a big temple, has not left any marks of his on it. The qualities of a real devotee...!

Male Mallappana Gudda (Aane Mallappana Gudda) – The emperors of Hoysala dynasty (if am not wrong) used to raise and maintain their elephants here so it is called “Ane mallappana gudda” (Ane = Elephant)

There is a natural shivalinga on the top of this gudda. (Gudda = small hill). It is called Male Malleshwara. He is the god of rain for the surrounding villages. If we desperately need rain, all the villagers for the surrounding places come together and make prayers here. My grand pa used to tell, in their ages, even before they climb down the gudda, it would rain and they reach home wet drenched in rain. Now a days though it does not workout that way, people believe that it rains within a short period.

Gavi Gudda – this is around 12 to 15 km from Gonibeedu. There is a cave in this gudda so its called gavi gudda. (Gavi = Guhe = Cave). The main deity is of Gavi Gangadareshwara with some sub gods around. It is said that a bear used to stay around. Now due to “plantationization” of all the forest around, its very rare to find any wild animals here.

This temple is in the middle of the hill. If you wish yo climb up to reach the top, you have to climb on a huge rock and then there is a walk way. Winter mornings, when the whole of the surrounding villages are covered by mist, you feel you are the only survivors of the “pralaya” the destruction caused by rain.

Angadi – this is the place where Sala, the founder of Hoysala dynasty killed a tiger, by the order of his guru in gurukula. If you know the history of Hoysala dynasty of Karnataka well and good. You will pick the story and the location very easily, if you don't know this part of history then “go to google and find it your self”. Am not your history teacher.

This place has “Sapta Matruka Temple” (place for all 7 matru devis) and some old jain basdis and ancient hoysala style small temples. Get your food, get your water, sit and relax for a while. Its a beautiful and silent place.

Devavrunda – (group of gods) – is a place around 22 km away from Gonibeedu has a beautiful and peaceful temple and a lake. This is also a historical place but right now I don't remember the story. Will write about it after my next visit to my native. Its good to go. Cool roads with no traffic, beautiful places around, that's what you want to relax right?

Nanya Bhairaveshvara (Shishila) – this is quite far, about 30 35 km but worth visiting. Temple is small and not all that interesting, however, the Shishila peak attracts you. In this place here is no mobile network and very few houses around. So better go early and reach back early.

Shishila peak is said to be one of the highest peaks in the ghats of Charmadi and is one of the closest routes to Dharmastala. My dream was to get married on the top of Shishila peak but it didn't as my mom was against it. My next dream is to get my hubby there. Once I get him there I will write more about it.

This was all about places around my native. Pictures – am sorry right now I can't load them for you. I will keep loading them when ever I capture a worth watching picture.

Then next time you are around Mudigere, Belur, Kalasa, Horanadu, Dharmasthala, or any other place in Hassan and Chickmaglore and driving on SH 57, just look around carefully. You might see “Gonibeedu” board on your way. You might find the entrance arch of Subrahmanya temple.Catch you there.

Cheers.