Hello fellow local guides, My name is Dharani Kumar and this is my first post here. I hope you are all doing well. I am an avid traveler and documenting the places that I go to is my absolute passion. This time I would like to take the opportunity of writing about this unique place of pilgrimage that I visited with my uncle sometime early this year. In India, it’s very common for temples to have temple structures around the deity protecting it; however, in this place called Southadka, there is no such structure protecting the deity; which certainly breaks a lot of stereotypes. It’s also quite common for the pilgrimage places to be closed during certain hours of the day; the Lord Ganesha temple however, stays open throughout the day; which makes it immensely unique to the people who like to pray.
This temple is situated amidst lush green forests which make the place feel totally different. It’s about 15kms from a famous place called Dharmasthala; and also, about 35kms from Kukke Subramanya Temple.
When I first set foot into the temple, I noticed how open and spacious it was. It didn’t have any temple structure (Garbhagudi) protecting the deity. I was appalled at the sight at first but, the peace and serenity around the temple grasped me as I was lost in trance with the beauty this temple had to offer. It’s also known for worshippers offering bells to the lord as their wishes come true. It’s truly a wonderful place to visit sometime June when the rains pour and the weather is just perfect to get your shoes on to explore such a beautiful place.