Viduraśvattha
By Swami Harshananda
Viduraśvattha literally means ‘holy fig tree of Vidura’.
There is a huge pipal or holy fig tree[1] at the village Doḍḍakurugoḍu, about 6 kms.[2] to the north of the town Gaurībidanur in Kolar district.[3] As per the local legends it is the off-shoot of the original tree planted by Vidura, the minister of the Kauravas. The tree is on the right bank of the Pinākinī river and is surrounded by several small shrines dedicated to Śiva, Nārāyaṇa, Navagrahas and nāgas.[4] The tree is worshipped as holy by the visiting pilgrims. A big festival is held every year during Caitra Purṇimā[5] including the rathotsava.[6]
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore