Holehonnur & Mahishi

Holehonnur is a place 16 Kms away from Shivamogga (Shimoga). It is situated on the banks of the river Bhadra.

Holehonnur is a place of significance for Madhwas. Holehonnur has the moola brindavana of Paramapoojya Sri Sri 1008 Sri Satyadharma Teertharu, who was the 28th Pontiff of Sri Uttaradi Matha.

Poorvashrama Name: Navaratna Purushottamacharya AshramaGuru: Sri Satyavara Teertharu (Santebidanooru) Ashrama Name: Sri Satyadharma Teertha (Holehonnur) Aradhane : Shravana Krishna Trayodashi Ashrama Shishya: Sri Satyasankalpa Teertha (Mysuru) Sri Satyadharma Teertha was the head of Sri Uttaradi Math for around 33 years. His contributions to Madhwa Siddhanta and Sri Uttaradi Matha are beyond measure. He performed SudhaMangala 16 times, which is regarded as a record of all time. Sri Satyadharma Teertha was the Guru of Diwan Poornaiah. He was known for his excellency in his works and scholarship. His Vyakhyana on SriMad Bhagavata is often referred by Mahaswamigalu in his upanyasa. There are manuscripts where, Sri Satyadharma Teertha wrote the renowned work of Sri Jayateertha, SriManNyayaSudha. Other than this he has also composed stotras and given commentaries on various granthas, including NyayaSudha. Swamiji once humbly fed an old man with sacred marks who sought food before the Brahmins’ anna Santarpane. Later, the man vanished mysteriously, and by evening, all the offerings given to him appeared on the Shivalinga. There is sannidhana of Bhageerathi and RudraDevaru(Linga) besides the brindavana of Sri Satyadharma Teertha at Holehonnur.

The Holehonnur branch is nearby to the river Bhadra. Teerthaprasada and accomodation facilities are available for devotees. Functions like Namakarana, Upanayana etc also take place in the matha. Aradhana of Sri Satyadharma Teertha is celebrated in a very grand manner every year at Holehonnur. In Holehonnur, Paramapoojya Sri Sri Satyatma Teertha Sripadangalavaru observed his 28th Chaturmasya in 2023. During that time, it was a special sight for the devotees to witness Samsthana Pooja Vaibhava in 3 grand Mantapas. The infrastructure at Holehonnur was enhanced during this time with halls and rooms and are now handy for performing various functions or to stay while on yatra.

Mahishi is a place 52 Kms away from Shivamogga (Shimoga) town. It is situated on the banks of river Tunga. From Tirthahalli it is about 21 kms to Mahishi.

Mahishi has its historical significance since days of Ramayana according to local stories here. It is said that, Hanumanta went there for penance. Sri Rama came in search of Hanumanta and found one buffalo getting up from river Tunga, which was Hanumanta himself. Buffallo is called MAHISHI in sanskrit and hence the name for the place. Hanumanta cannot live without worshipping Sri Rama, so he planted an Ashwattha Vruksha and installed an idol of Ashwattha Narayana. The Ashwattha Tree can be seen even today.

Mahishi is regarded as a sacred place for Madhwas. The place is known for its pleasant, calm and peaceful ambience and the divine vibes as well. Sri Uttaradi Matha has a connection with Mahishi, since the times of Sri Satyanatha Teertha and Sri Satyabhinava Teertha. Sri Satyasandha Teertha's Moola Vrundavana is situated at Mahishi.

Poorvashrama Name: Haveri Ramacharya Ashrama Guru: Sri Satyabodha Teertha (Savanur) Ashrama Name: Sri Satyasandha Teertha Aaradhana: Jyeshtha Shukla Dwiteeya Ashrama Shishya: Sri Satyavara Teertha (Santebidanoor) Sri Satyasandha Teertha was the 26th pontiff of Sri Uttaradi Matha. After Sri Satyabodha Teertharu decided to make him his successor, he noticed that his Ayushya was getting over. So, with special prayers to Sri Ramadevaru, he transferred 10 years and few months of Ayushya. Sri Satyasandha Teertha is known for his Digvijaya all over the country. It is believed that goddess Ganga emerged in physical form and received bagina from him during his visit to Kashi. When he visited Gaya, the administrators did not allow him to enter the door of the lord. When Swamiji prayed to the lord for his darshan, the doors got opened and the lord gave him darshan. Once during pooja, there were no flowers for Rama Devaru’s worship, an old man suddenly appeared with lotuses, offered them, and vanished before everyone’s eyes. While Sri Satyasandha Teertha was delivering a discourse on Nyāya Sudhā near the Brindāvana of Sri Satyavrata Tīrtharu in Sangli, the Brindāvana was observed to sway in appreciation. Lord Vitthala of Pandharpura, himself in disguise of an old man took mudra from Sri Satyasandha Teertha. Sri Satyasandha Teertha has written a commentary on VishnusahasraNama. The stotra VishnuStuti composed by him is a unique one. He installed idols of Lord Narasimha and Hanuman at Rajmahendri as well as an idol of Hanumanta at Vijayawada. When Sri Satyasandha Teertha got to know that, he had only a few days left in his life, he blessed Jhulupi Krishnacharya Balacharya to succed him with the name of Shri Satyavara Tirtha. He gave detailed instructions on his wish to have brindavan at Mahishi.

Sri Uttaradi Matha at Mahishi, is situated near the river Tunga. There are well maintained rooms available for accommodation. Teerthaprasada facility is available. There is a function hall beside the Matha, named Sri Satyanatha Bhavana. Ceremonies such as marriage, Upanayana and other dharmic activities can be conducted. There is also a Goshala beside the Matha. Aradhana is celebrated in a very grand manner every year in Mahishi.

For enquiries and bookings, please use the contact numbers provided below for both Holehonnur and Mahishi branches.