Brief History of Sthirapaduka Ashram
Sadguru Sri Brahmachaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj came to Bidaralli in 1909. On the way, He installed the idols of Shri Ram, Sita, Lakshmana and Maruti in Sri Rama Mandir, built by Sri Kari, next to the Ishwar Temple at Killa, Hubli. He spent 23 days in Hubli.
From there he went to Kurtakoti. On the request of Shri Mahabhagavat, Shri Maharaj reinstalled Shri Maruti idol in front of Sri Rama at Kurtakoti. On this occasion three sets of stone paduka, which Shri Mahabhagavat had prepared, were brought there. On one of paduka stone Shri Maharaj placed his feet and was ceremoniously worshipped. Shri Mahabhagavat prayed to Shri Maharaj to install them there. Shri Maharaj said, "Not now." Thus, those padukas remained there. (In 1914, Shri Brahmanand Maharaj brought them to Gondavale and installed them on the Samadhi of Sri Maharaj.)
During the installation ceremony at Kurtakoti, Shri Venkanagouda Nadgir of Hebballi was also present there. He requested the Shri Maharaj to come to Hebballi. Shri Maharaj happily accepted and accordingly, He came to Hebballi on Thursday, April 1, 1909. On the occassion of Ekadashi, there was Bhajana all night. The next day, Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi, on April 2 1909, at about 10.30 in the morning, Sri Venkanagouda along with his wife, seated Shri Maharaj on a magnificent chair, placed Shri Maharaj's feet on one of the stone padukas brought from kurtakoti and worshipped them. Later Shri Maharaj personally installed them in a temple constructed behind their house.
This turned out to be a blessing for the devotees in karnataka. It turned out to be a center of propagation of Name of the Lord.
On January 26, 1984 Shri Dattavadhoot Guruji came to Hebballi from Gondavale as per the trustees' desire. On that day onwards He started daily Upasana.
Festivals (Utsav) observed in Chaitanyashram
Shri Brahmachaitanya Maharaj Jayanti
Shri Brahmachaitanya Maharaj was born on February 19, 1845; Magha Shuddha Dwadashi according to Hindu Calendar. Every year on this auspicious day Jayanti is observed.
Shri Rama Navami
Chaitra Shukla Navami is observed all over as the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Rama. Lord Rama is placed in a cradle and worshipped marking the auspicious moment.
Shri Hanum Jayanti
Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman. On Chaitra Shukla Pournima Lord Hanuman is placed in a cradle and worshipped.
Guru Pournima
Ashadha Shuddha Pournima is observed as Guru Pournima. The celebration of Guru Pournima is marked by spiritual activities which includes a ritualistic event (Guru Pooja) in honor of the Guru i.e., Shri Maharaj.
Ganesh Chathurthi
Ganesh Chathurthi is a festival celebrating the arrival of Lord Ganesh. The festival is marked with the installation of idols of Lord Ganesh prepared by Shri Dattavadhoot Guruji. It is observed on Bhadrapada Shukla Chathurthi.
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. On Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami Lord Krishna is placed in a cradle and worshipped.
Vijayadashami
Vijayadashami also known as Dasara is observed on Ashwin Shukla Dashami
Deepavali
Deepavali or Diwali also known as festival of lights is celebrated on Ashwin Krishna Chathurdashi to Kartik Shuddha Pratipada.
Punyatithi Utsav
When a saint leaves his body, he lives an eternal life in God. This day of the reunification with the Divine is called Punyatithi. Punyatithi of Shri Maharaj is the most important and celebrated event of the year. This festival (Utsav) is celebrated for 10 days. Punyatithi Utsav is observed on Margashirsha Krishna Dashami.
Other Mandirs
Tryambakeshwar Shri Ram Mandir
2002
In 1994, Shri Basavanthagowda Nadgir dedicated a large house with a large open space to Chaitanyashram. It was named Ganga Nilaya. Later, according to the wishes of many devotees, it was decided to construct a temple of Lord Shri Ram in that place. In April 2002, the temple was ready and a grand inauguration festival was organized and the idols of Lord Shri Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Maruti were installed.
Shri Rama
Chintamani MahaGanapati Mandir
1994
An idol of Lord Ganapati was found in a lake in Narendra, a village in Dharwad. Shri Joshi of Narendra saw a dream about this idol, brought it home and started to worship Lord Ganapati daily. A century later the family members decided to give the idol to Chaitanyashram. Hence, they brought the idol to Shrikshetra Hebballi. Shri Basavantrao Nadgir had a half-constructed temple in their ownership. After approaching him, he readily accepted to dedicate it for a Ganapati temple. Thus, the temple was reconstructed and in 1994 the Ganapati idol was installed.
Shri Chintamani Maha Ganapati
Shri Datta Mandir
1969
Shri Narayanrao Nadgir of Hebballi had a vision of Shri Dattatreya Paduka. On August 13, 1947 he found them in nearby Maradgi which he brought home and started worshipping them daily. Later in 1969, a temple was constructed by his son Shri Dattatreya and the Paduka was installed by Shri Bhalchandra Shastriji. Later, according to Shri Dattatreya's wishes the temple was handed over to Chaitanyashram. The temple was restored and a hall was constructed adjoining the temple.
Shri Dattatreya
Chidambareshwar Mandir
2002
Jahgirdar of Hebballi was a disciple of Shri Chidambar Mahaswamy of Kengeri. Following their request Shri Chidambar Swamy visited Hebballi couple of times. During one of His visit He installed a Shivalinga and since then it came to be known as Chidambareshwar Temple. In 1994, the temple was handed over to Chaitanyashram. Later the temple was reconstructed.
Shri Chidambareshwar
Chandrala Parameshwari Mandir
2002
To the east lies the ancient temple of Sri Chandrala Parameshwari. It is almost 300 years old. Shri Vasudeva Swami, a disciple of Sri Shivananda Swami Gadag, used to do upasana in the temple. The idol of the Goddess is very beautiful. The village panchayat handed over the temple to Chaitanyashram according to the opinion of the villagers.
Shri Chandrala Parameshwari
Svayambhu Maruti Mandir
2002
Along with the Ganapati idol an idol of Lord Maruti was also brought to Hebballi from Narendra. At that time, the idol was only an outline of Lord Maruti. It was initially placed in Ganga Nilaya behind the Shri Ram Mandir. It was being worshipped daily. Gradually, the idol began to manifest into a beautiful form of Lord Maruti. Now a silver jacket (kavacha) can be placed on top of the idol as a means of decoration. Later, an independent temple was constructed in front of Ram Mandir and the Svayambhu Maruti was installed in basement and on top of it idols of Lord Shri Ram, Sita, Lakshman are placed.
Shri Svayambhu Maruti