Shri Kashivishwanatha Devasthana

"Ano Bhadraha Krathavo Yanthu Vishvathaha", the world is based firmly on great ideals. This universe of ours is all the realization/manifestation of the Lord himself, who is omni-scient, omni-potent. He is the one who wards off evil, he is the one who protects each one of us. He is firmly embedded in the hearts of each one of us.

In this land of the Lord, there are innumerable temples and Gods. Similarly in Udupi Dist., to the east of Brahmavar, on the way to Chantharu, at a place called Nidampalli, there is this Kashi Vishwanatha, Venkataramana and Parivara Diwa Sannidhi (the confluence of God) at Soorappayyana Agrahara which has its ancient and grand tradition. Pandeshwara Soorappayya, the Founder (1690-1755 AD) was a Governor General in Manglore Province under Keladi Rule. He was hailed Deevan Soorappayya and Barakuru Soorappayya. He had all sorts of titles bestowed on him.

He had 12 Brahmin Families in Chanthar Village and for his administration he had a large house, thus altogether he built an Agrahara consisting of 13 houses. He established the Agrahara in the presence of Keladi Leader, 2nd Somashekara in 1743 AD on Dundubhi Samvathsara Margashira Shudda Panchami. As he went further getting popular, he offered Dharma Sadhnas to the Brahmins and to Kashi Vishwanatha. The records say that he established Durgadevi and Lord Vinayaka, and thus the Agrahara emerged.

Kashi Vishwanatha Temple being established in the East, has Brahmin families residing around it. Near it there is an ancient Venkataramana Temple which faces North. There are carvings on Venkataramana Murthy (idol). This belongs to the Hoysala times , 11 th Century as Late Prof. Gururaj Bhat, the renowned Historian stated.

This idol is 3.7 feet in height. For the past 80 years in Venkataramana Temple, normally on Magha Masa, 11 day long Bhajans and 12 day long Bhajana Mangalothsava gets conducted in a grand manner.

Towards the east of this temple, there is a large pond. To the East corner amidst the sylvan trees, there is Madhya Naga Bana & Brahma Sthana. From the charity offered by the Kings those days here in this temple there used to be pooja, naivedya, amrathapadi & Nanda Deepa, also festivals and relentless services.

Soorappayyana Agrahara was in a good position during middle part of the 18th & 19th Century. The hay stacked houses of the Brahmins those days were gutted in fire twice during 1817 & 1840, as per the documents.

During 1817 AD, investigations were held as recorded in the documents. In 1840, the DC visited this place during several ceremonies. Huge pandals were known to be erected for the purpose of accommodating social gathering.The discipline found in the Agrahara, amenities and good library were noted by the DC, thus he had great appreciation for Soorappayya. But inadvertently the roof caught fire and thus reduced everything to cinders, including Kashi Vishwanatha Temple.

Later on, during the times of Inamdara Parameshwarayya (1843-1905), decendant of Soorappayya, the temples were rejuvenated. Later on, under Brahmavara Vasudeva Raya (1926-2009), 1986 Kashi Vishwanatha, Durga Devi & Vinayaka Temples were rejuvenated and Ashtabandha Punaha Prathisthe was performed, meaning they were re-established.