Viduraswatha – Jalianwalabagh of South India and a Pilgrim Centre as well

Viduraswatha is a hamlet located in Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka state. It is a popular pilgrim centre situated near the Karnataka- Andhra Pradesh border and about seven kms from Gauribidanur town. More importantly, it has etched a permanent place in the pages of history of Indian freedom struggle.

As a pilgrim centre, Viduraswatha is known for holy shrines of Sri Aswathanarayana Swamy and Sri Subramanya Swamy. The name Viduraswatha is derived from the huge Aswathavruksha (Sacred fig) located in the village. According to a legend of the Mahabharata times, this tree was planted by Sri Vidura, uncle of the pandavas and kauravas and courtier in the kingdom of Dritharastra ,on the banks of North Pinakini river.  It is said that when Vidura was offering prayers to the Sun God, he spotted a small sapling floating in water in the river. Maithreya Maharishi advised Vidura to plant the sapling, workship it to get salvation. Vidura did so with great devotion. Trimurthis Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara were so pleased with Vidura’s devotion, they gave him darshan and blessed him and thus the place got the name Viduraswatha.

Viduraswatha is also known for performing Nagaraprathista, installation and consecration of the Serpent God. It is strongly believed that if Nagaraprathista is performed by childless couple having Sarpa Dosha, the Dosha would be warded off and the couple would beget children. We can find thousands of idols of the Snake God in Viduraswatha.

As mentioned earlier, apart from being a well known pilgrim centre, history has acclaimed Viduraswatha as Jalianwalabagh of South India. Because, an incident very similar to Jalianwalabagh Bagh massacre of 1919 and of smaller magnitude, took place at Viduraswatha on 25^th April 1938. It is having a significant value in the history of freedom struggle as it rekindled the spirit of freedom amongst the people.

The Mysore Praja Party which was formed in 1934, had given a call for Poorna Swaraj. Gandhiji’s Satyagraha had made people confident and courageous enough to participate in the freedom struggle. Alarge gathering of people in thousands was expected for the annual fair which was to be held at Viduraswatha between 22^nd April and 25^th April 1938. Under the able leadership of N.C Nagaiah Reddy, N.C Thimma Reddy, T. Ramachar, Srinivas Rao and others, Flag Satyagraha was planned during the same  period to catch attention of the people. About ten thousand people marched peacefully to hoist the congress national flag. The police resorted to lathi charge,  but the demonstration became severe. Without any provocation, the Sub Inspector of Police fired indiscriminately at the peace loving demonstrators killing ten people and severely injuring thirty five.

Mahatma Gandhi strongly condemned the incident and wrote a letter to then Dewan of Mysore, Sir Mirza appealing for a responsible government. Gandhiji sent Sardar Vallabhai Patel and Acharya Kriplani to meet the King and Dewan of Mysore and to discuss about the incident. This incident was widely published in the British Press and covered even by BBC. As a result of these developments, Patel –Mirza pact was signed in May 1939 and ban on hoisting of tricolour congress national flag was withdrawn. To mark this victory, Second time state level Mysore Congress Session was organized at Viduraswatha in 1939. Gandhiji visited Nandi hills, discussed about the incident with the concerned and inspired the Satyagrahis further.

In 1973, a memorial was built at the site of the incident to honour the people who lost their lives and became martyrs. The names of the martyrs have been etched on the plaque. In memory of  the Satyagraha, the local high school has been named as Satyagraha Memorial High School.

In 2004, Veera Soudha was constructed. A photo gallery describing various events relating to the freedom struggle and a library have been developed and housed in Veera Soudha. Every Indian, particularly born in the post-independence era must visit the place and get acquainted with the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters who were instrumental in getting freedom to our country. Veera Soudha is surrounded by the statues of freedom fighters, open air theatre and children’s park,

Personally, I feel proud to say that I hail from Gauribidanur Taluk which has earned permanent and a prominent place in the annals of freedom struggle.

Friends, one can travel to Viduraswatha either by bus, train or own vehicle. I strongly recommend that every reader travel to Viduraswatha, visit the photo gallery and other memorials and get the itch of patriotism intensified.