Vidurashwatha

The name Vidurashwatha is derived from that of a big Ashwatha (sacred fig) tree located in this village.[2] According to a legend of the times of Mahabharata, this tree was planted by Vidura, a courtier in the kingdom of Dhritarashtra; and hence the name Vidurashwatha.[3] In 2001, this ancient tree fell to the ground.[4]

The legend says that Yamadharma Raja was cursed to be born as a human being and was thus born as Vidura. After seeing all the bloodshed during the war, Vidura became remorseful and asked Krishna for salvation. Krishna asked him to go for a theerthayatra (pilgrimage). After visiting many places, Vidura came to this place, which was actually a hermitage of Maithreya Maharishi. Once during sandhyavandhana in the river, Vidura got a small sapling when he was about to offer argya to Surya. Maithreya Maharishi asked Vidura to worship the sapling to get salvation. With great devotion, Vidura worshiped the sapling and Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, pleased with the devotion, gave him dharshan, and thus the name of the location became Vidura Ashwatha.

Another story is that, a long time ago when the river was flowing rapidly, two brothers who could not cross the river took shelter on the other side of the river bank where there is a temple to Shiva. In the night, one of the brothers dreamed that Ashwathnaryana came and asked the brother to worship him so that he and his future generations would be benefited. The next day the brother was found on the other side of the river bank under the great sacred fig. From then on, the worship of Ashwathnaryana was done by this family only.

Vidurashwatha is known as the jalian wala bhag of south. 35 freedom fighters martyred while hoisting congress flag here. Veera saudha is built on the memory of this freedom movement.

Satyagraha Memorial high school is one of the older schools in the taluk. It was named and formed after the freedom movement. Though stated private later on received the aid from the state government of karnataka.

One of the most important ceremonies which is done in this place is Nagaprathista, it's done by the people who have sarpa dosha in their horoscope. Here the devotees come and pray to the lord asking for a specific boon (such as a child or for marriage). Once the boon is fulfilled, they perform a prathistha. Not all devotees need to do the same, only those devotees who had taken a vow in front of the lord need to do it.

Nagaprathista when done under the fig tree is the most auspicious and fruitful for the devotees, as this fig tree is the oldest and most sacred, doing prasthita here is considered most beneficial.

Adi Shankaracharya interprets this tree as representing the entire cosmos. 'Shwa' in Sanskrit means tomorrow. 'a' indicates negation, and 'tha' means one that stands or remains. He interprets Ashwatha to indicate "One which does not remain the same tomorrow", or the universe itself. The eternal life of the Ashwatha Tree has inspired many Indian philosophers and Hindu thought.

The village has a temple and few Kalyanamandapa (marriage halls). For Nagaprathista pls contact +919886504878