By Team Mangalorean, Mangalore

Mangalore, Sept 6, 2008: Polali - a small village in Bantwal taluk in the Dakshina Kannada district, a well-known pilgrimage centre, famous for its Raja Rajeshwari temple, is located at a distance of about 22 kms from Mangalore. It attracts tourists and travelers alike due to its natural scenic splendor and un-spoilt beauty. This place earlier called Pural, has been there since ancient times.  According to old records and epigraphs found, the deity in the temple was called Porala Devi in those days. In Sanskrit the place is called Puliapura; in Kannada it is called Polali. There are references made to the temple here in the Ashokan inscriptions as well and in the reports of the foreign travelers who visited India. Even Queen Chennammaji of Keladi is understood to have visited Polali and got a massive chariot built for a temple here. Hence, the entire region is seeped deep in ancient Indian folklores.

The scenic splendor at Polali

Polali is now in the midst of an historical find. In an isolated hillock, 1 km up the Devannagudde hill surrounded by breathtaking scenery, there has been a discovery made of a stone edifice believed to be dating back thousands of years. The date of the new edifice has yet to be authenticated by archaeologists. The place itself was discovered by an ardent Shiva bakht (devotee), a Brahmin priest called Swami Brahmananda Sarawati of the Kadri devasthana. According to him, he used to meditate in the wee hours of the morning, as was his daily practice. In the course of his 'dyana' he swears he saw Naga devata (snake god) himself, giving him orders to go to a place in Polali.

Swami Brahmananda Saraswati

Accordingly, he went there, looked around and since he didn't find anything, came back home. After that he went off to Subramanya (temple town) located at a distance of 250 miles from the city, on a pilgrimage. There he started having problems with his eyes, and he could barely see. But somehow he managed to return. He visited Dr Gurudutt Kamath, who was surprised as to how he managed to come back on his own. He says "I came through God's eyes."  Dr Kamath successfully operated on his eyes and restored his eye sight though he still has some problems with his one eye.

Closeup  of the linga

Again in the course of his meditation, he started seeing visions of Naga devata ordering him to go to Polali. One day in his 'dyana', he vividly recalls seeing the main door (dwara) at Polali, opening into a beautiful temple. Further he says, he saw his car breaking down at a spot there. A little further away on top of a hillock in a clearing surrounded by thick foliage and jungles was a huge single stone 'Lingam' right in the midst of seven huge trees, almost rising out of its roots. At first Swamiji ignored this graphic visual, even as it kept appearing in front of his eyes for several days. But when this vision kept on appearing before him again and again he decided to go there and investigate.

Shivalinga - another angle between trees(L); Linga rising almost out of roots(R)

The place and scenery he saw there reminded him of the experiences he was having during his morning meditation. This triggered off something in his mind and he began searching for the spot where the 'lingam', a symbol of Hindu God Shiva was located. He even discussed the matter with the villagers there and sought their help. The search continued for a long time before he finally succeeded in locating the spot where the exquisite lingam was buried. It was located exactly at the spot, which he used to see in his 'dyana.'

Shivalinga in the midst of trees

It was an eerily isolated place, which no human being inhabited or ever went near. So once there, he started clearing up the spot to make it presentable so that 'pooja' offering could be carried out. However, the priest says he was harassed at every step by certain disgruntled elements from the nearby villages. They harassed him and tried all means to drive him away, as they were greedy thinking that since a 'lingam' was found, there could also be gold and silver buried deep underneath. But they never succeeded in their wicked designs, as he believes he is protected by God himself. The priest says "More then 1,500 years ago my birth took place at this place and my 'samadhi' is here itself." This revelation came to him in his 'dyana' he informs. "Many ancient Rishis and Sages made severe penance at this spot and offered milk and 'prasad' in those days, hence the soil here is pavitra (pure)," he adds.

The ancient 'lingam' is believed to be the tallest lingam in the whole of South Kanara district standing erect at about five and half feet, dating back thousands of years, according to the Swamiji. This is the general belief too here but it needs to be verified and authenticated by archaeologists and historians. The peculiar thing about the lingam is that it appears to sprout right out of the roots of seven huge trees surrounding it. Nearby on the right side of the lingam is a Naga bana (snake borough) from which snakes, especially the fearful cobras, slowly slither in the middle of the night. They move towards the lingam and coil around it almost as if paying their obescence to their master - Lord Shiva who always has them wrapped around his neck and shoulders.

Naga Bana

Also according to the Swamiji there is another spot located bang opposite to the spot where the scared lingam is. It is believed by the devotees as well as the Brahmin priest that there is an idol of Ganesha embedded deep within the hillock. He and others believe that within two years it will rise from inside and once it comes out due to mudslides, rains or any extraneous factors, after which a temple will be built over it, so that this adored son of Lord Shiva can be worshipped by his devotees. A gigantic tree located on the left side of the lingam is believed to be the abode of Hindu Goddess Mother Gayatri and Parvati wife of Lord Shiva.

Spot where the Ganesh Idol is believed to be buried

A visit to this place, a distance of about 2 kms from the Polali main 'dwara', leaves one with a tremendous feeling of solace, peace and tranquility. It is said by the devout and believers that any heartfelt desire or wish made here gets fulfilled by the Lord Almighty. Devotees flock here (many are still not aware of this place) and offer flowers, incense sticks, oil, coconuts and pray for 'Kashta paryaya' (to remove their sufferings). Says Swamiji, "By taking God Shiva's 'ashirwaad' (blessings), you will reach heavens directly. He will reveal his presence and give a 'mantra' and he will himself escort you to the heavens.  Whatever mistakes you commit, he will take to his abode Kailash. That much 'dayaalu' (forgiving) he is. In-fact Sri Krishna and Lord Rama, even bowed before him and offered prayers," he informed the gathering of devotees. The priest even predicts that one day there will be a very big temple constructed here, which will become very famous.