The Beginning

Back in early 1990’s, the land – which is now the Holy Abode of Shree Raghavendra Swami – was just another piece in the large landscape besides the Kulur-Kavoor road. No one would have imagined it will one day bear the sacred Brindavanam, except Shree Guru Raya himself and his ardent devotee Smt. Rohini Sadashiva Rao (or Rohini Amma as she was lovingly called) – whom He chose to lead the effort to find this shrine in order to bless the devotees far and near.

Kodange Shanubhog Shree Anantharam Rao’s second son Shree K. Sadashiva Rao had transferred this ancestral land to his wife Rohini Amma as part of his Will. She had been worshipping Guru Raghavendra Swami at home since her childhood and regularly attending Guru bhajans initially at Sharavu temple and later at Kadri temple for many years. Having realized the effects of Shree Guru Raya’s blessings herself first hand, she felt it was important to help others who are in need – to get the love and blessings of Shree Raghavendra Swami by constructing a Brindavanam. Driven by a sense of purpose and unwavering determination, Rohini Amma made up her mind to donate her land for the noble cause.

In order to jump start the construction of sanctum sanctorum and the surrounding building, she sold additional land of hers to raise the funds quickly. Help started coming in from other devotees in various forms to construct Mahadwaram, office room, roof cover, to name a few. As the building work progressed, the planning for sculpture of Brindavanam and Deities began. Through divine coincidence, there was already a beautiful Brindavanam waiting for this exact moment along with the idols of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana at Padubidri! Shree Padubidri Govardhan, who was a great devotee of Shree Guru Raya had gotten them sculpted with the anticipation of consecrating them someday. However, for some reason or the other, it did not materialize for many years. On being approached, he readily donated the Brindavanam and idols to be installed at Ambica Nagar.

Guided and blessed by the Acharyas and Sages, the Brindavanam and the idols were consecrated in the sanctum sanctorum in May 1998. Since then, countless devotees have been visiting the shrine offering their prayers and services. The Brindavanam has been the refuge for the devotees offering them solace, peace of mind and reassurance that Shree Guru Raya always has their blessings. The dream of Rohini Amma is being fulfilled every moment when a devotee connects with Shree Guru Raya at the Brindavanam.

The road until now has not been easy and it will never be easy, but for those with unwavering devotion, purity of goal and rock solid determination, Shree Raghavendra Swami will open up the pathways in manners which seem miraculous to the normal eyes. What you see today at the land in Ambica Nagar, overlooking the arterial road is the result of selfless services each and every day by countless devotees who have adopted this Brindavanam as their own. With Guru Raya’s blessings and the efforts of His devotees, it will continue to grow and become the center for spiritual and social activities in the region.