Veerbhadra Temple, is situated in the holy Shri Kshetra Yadur, on the banks of

holy river Sacred waters are sacred natural sites characterized by tangible topographical land formations such as rivers, lakes, springs, reservoirs, and oceans, as opposed to holy water which is water elevated with the sacramental blessing of a cler ...

Krishna in Chikodi Taluka of Belagavi District,

Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO 15919, ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reor ...

, India, approximately 94 kilometres (58 mi) from

Belgaum Belgaum ( ISO: ''Bēḷagāma''; also Belgaon and officially known as Belagavi) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka located in its northern part along the Western Ghats. It is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous Belagavi ...

. It lies on the banks of the majestic Krishna River. The

shivalinga A lingam ( sa, लिङ्ग , lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism. It is typically the primary ''murti'' or devotional ...

is also known as "Shri veerupakshalinga".

History

Veerashaiva Veerashaivism is a sect within the Shaivism fold of Hinduism. According to tradition, it was transmitted by ''Panchacharyas'', ( kn, ಪಂಚಾಚಾರ್ಯರು, paṃcācāraya from sa, पंचचार्य, pañcācārya), or five ...

, saint of Karnataka Shree, founded the temple in the 12th century. The holy temple is part of the endowment trust math and belongs to

Brahmin Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests ( purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers ( ...

& Veershaiva community. The Kadsiddeshwar math mentor is the head of the temple. The devotees of the temple are spread all over in both state of

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the second-most populous state in India and the second-most populous country subdi ...

and Karnataka. The temple authorities carry out various religious and cultural activities and rituals in consultation with Kadsiddkeshwar math authorities on various festivals throughout the year. The Temple is mentored by Shivacharya Swamijee, Shree Siddharameshwar Hiremath, Hipparagi. Under the leadership of Siddharameshwar Hiremath the Temple authorities are undertaking a number of developmental projects: 1. Yatri Nivas 2. Kalyan Mandap 3. Manjari Gate 4. Veerabhadreshwar Rath 5. Dasoh Hall 6. Swamijee Guest House 7. Kadsiddheshwar Math Dwar

Worship

The following poojas and Archana's take place on a regular basics on behalf of the various devotees: *Abhishek *Rudra Abhishek *Butti puja (obligation of cooked rice mixed with curds to Veerpaksha ling) *Yele Puja (The battle leaves are applied to veerpaksha ling in most decorative manner) *Akki puja (Decoration of veerpaksha ling by application of rice) *Dandavatha – The process by which devotees after taking dip in the holy river Krishna come to temple by putting a Suryanamaskar step by step. *Tula bhar seva– Depending upon devotees pledges, the devotees put the coconuts, rice etc. equivalent to their weight. On the back of "Veerupakshalinga" there is a Shrine of mother " Bhadra Kalamma", depending upon vows, the devotees and the mother, "Bhadra kalamma" is offered various offerings by the devotees. All the above puja activities and rituals are performed after taking the receipts from the temple authorities.

Activities

*Marriages: Many devotees carry out the marriages in the temple after prior registration with temple authorities *Jawal: First time child's hair cutting ceremony *Guggula: Many devotees, to complete their vows and pledges on heir behalf or on behalf of their family members and also to follow traditional vows perform the Guggula ceremony in the altar of "Veerupaksha linga"

Transportation

Road

Belagavi city is near to Yadur can be reached via the National Highways 4 and State Highways 12, NWKRTC run buses to all corners of Karnataka and to Yadur. There are many private buses which serve Yadur.

Air

Nearest airports are Belagavi and Hubli.

Rail

Nearest railway stations are Miraj, Rayabag, Kudachi , Belagavi and Ghatprabha. {{commons category Shiva temples in Karnataka