Moorusavira Matha, Hubballi

Moorusavira Matha is a Lingayath monastery established in XII Century. Within the monastery's premises are the tombs of monastery heads over the centuries including the founder Shri Gurusiddeshwara Swami. The monastery's name is attributed to the visit of Sri Channabasaveshwara (Jagadguru Basaveshwara's nephew) with a group of three thousand Shivasharanas visit to here. The Kannada phrase for 'three thousand' is 'mooru savira'. Hence the name Moorusavira Matha.

After Jagadguru Basaveshwara quits the post of minister at King Bijjala's court and moves to Kudala Sangama for good, the king's army starts subduing the revolutionary movement of Shivasharanas. To escape the persecution, Shivashranas leave Kalyana along with their collection of literary work. Channabasaveshwara and his group with a plan to go to Ulavi (in the jungles of Uttara Kannada) come to Dharwad, where they stay at Ulavi Basaveswara Gudi. At some point of time before going to Ulavi, the group also happens to visit Shri Gurusiddeshwara Swami's monastery at Hubballi.

Moorusavira Matha runs educational institutions and conducts Anna Dasoha. However, the monastery is the news for wrong reasons for a number of times, thanks to the internal conflicts which spill out. Hoping the Matha members reform and carry out better social service.

February 18, 2020
My day started off by dropping Pushpa and her friend Akshita at Maharani's College near Siddharoodha Matha. I hired an auto-rickshaw, went to Sri Bhavani Shankar Devastana and then came to Moorusavira Matha. The last time I visited it was early 2010. The monastery seems to have changed little. This is the main building which houses the founder's tomb (Gadduge) and the seer's living quarters. The dominant feature of the facade are the building height wooden columns. Each of these columns are made of single pieces. This hall has a dozen such columns. Besides the wooden columns, the other attractions are the detailed wood sculptures and tasteful tile work on the floor.

In this building is the main shrine i.e. the tomb of Shri Gurusiddeshwara Swami. The small door is one of two entrances the underground shrine. Photography is prohibited in there. The tomb is enclosed in a stainless steel cage. Right above the shrine is the dome which forms the roof. Floor to dome is around 30 feet. Around the shrine is space for people to circumambulate and a also a seating platform. The shrine is decorated with fresh flowers and Vibhuti. An oil lamp is always burning. A young priest is present at the shrine when its kept open for Bhaktas. The shrine has a serene ambiance.

This is the open hall where Swamiji gives Darshan to Bhaktas. During my previous visit which was tie for late afternoon Pooja. Prior to the pooja Shehnai was played by two men. The sound was heartwarming. I think the vibrations of the music sanctifies the environment.

The central door links to the inner chambers. Above the grand door frame is a picture of Jagadguru Basaveshwara. On the platform is a throne like chair with red velvet and lions on its arm-rests.

The grand door jamb and the grand chair. The jamb is a heavy assembly of teak wood richly carved. Wonder who the artists are.

Lord Ganapati, the remover of obstacles adorns the frame. The seated Ganesha features four arms and a spiraled trunk. Ganesha's Vaahan Mushak is also present here. The tightly packed floral art is well done, the repetitions are consistent.

A quick look at one of the two lions on the arm rest. The creator had fixed glass marbles in the eye sockets which actually is effectively creating a pair of watchful eyes.

The building seems to be built early XX Century. The walls and floors are covered with expensive tiles. There are four windows which are covered with gold painted Jali (mesh).

Two of the four Jalis. The architect made sure the monastery had a grand look and had it built with good quality stuff so that it has a lasting grand look. Take a close look at the Jali on left hand side. At the bottom is a Shivalinga and Nandi, at its top is a Kirtimukha. I'm suspecting they are woodwork covered in golden paint.

The column faces are plain but the top portions exhibit rich work. For some reasons these beautiful wooden pillars have been covered in oil paint. They could've polished and left as it it.. nothing to beat the natural look of wood grains.

In the front yard is a life size statue of Jagadguru Basavanna riding a horse. Basavanna is depicted in one of the four ways-

• standing with one arm raised and index finger pointing skywards
• sitting on a chair with Aikya Mantapa in the background
• riding a horse in royal attire befitting a minister
• sitting cross-legged with scripture in one hand and right hand raised 

The white building is the second gateway of the monastery complex. Renovation work was going on. Somehow, both my visits have coincided with construction work. In the background is the clock tower over the main entrance.

This is the inner view of the arched gateway and clock tower. These buildings are let out generating revenue to the Matha. Yes, a Matha needs funds to carry out its responsibilities.

As seen from outside, on Victoria road. Moorusavira Mata's clock tower is a landmark in Halae Hubballi. During my last visit the clock was a simple white square with black numbers and hands. The present clock is not in tune with the architecture and it doesn't seem to be working. Hoping the sponsor gets it fixed.

Having done with our tour, I told the auto-rickshaw driver Lava (apparently his twin brother's name is Kusha) that we have a cup of tea. We found a small shop serving hot idli-chatni, in fact that was the only snack. We had idlis and tea. That was a nice break. We headed towards Siddharoodha Matha, Lava chattering all the way.
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