Sodhe Vadiraja Mutt, Sonda

Sonda is small remote place surrounded with nature and enveloped with beauty. It is around 20 KMs from Sirsi Town.

In Sode Mutt the first to be sighted is the lake known as Hayagriva Samudra. Towards the west of this lake stands a Dvaja sthamba in front of the Rama Thrivikrama temple. Both the Lord's vehicles - the Hamsa and Garuda are depicted on this Dvaja sthamba.

The Rama Thrivikrama temple consists of three parts - the sanctum sanctorum with the lovely idol of Lord Thrivikrama, the stone chariot used for transporting the Lord's idol and the idol of Sri Lakshmi Devi in the chariot.

To the north of the temple and down some 24 steps is the Rajangana which also houses the mutt's offices. Here is the entrance to the mutt, the puja mandir (ananthaasana), stores and kitchen.

Further down a flight of 24 steps, is the 'Dhavala Ganga' pushkarini along with a smaller 'Sheethala Ganga' tank nearby. The waters of these tanks are believed to be a confluence of all holy rivers of India. Around the pushkarini are located several small temples consecrated by Sri Vadiraja Teertha-Sri Chandramouleshwara on the south, Sri Veera Anjaneya on the west, Sri Venugopalaswamy on the north.

Towards the east of the pushkarini is situated the pancha vrindavans with the vrindavan of Sri Vadiraja Teertharu situated in the centre. In front of the vrindavans is the temple for Sri Vedavyasa. On the right (to the south) of the vrindavans is the temple for the Kshetrapala - Bhootharaja. To the north is the naga vana.