Temples of Karnataka

Udipi, Dharmastala, Sringeri, Horanadu, Hosanadu, Mookambika (Kollur), Murudeshwar, Anegudi, Kukke, Katil - These are some temples in Karnataka which are truly awe inspiring and their spirituality which attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees is just one of them. What is it that is so great about these temples ?
Let me see if I can enumerate them.
1. These temples are located on the Western Ghats which is very close to the coast of the Arabian Sea. Therefore, the routes we take to reach them are filled with great natural beauty. Everywhere it lush green.
2. The locations of some of these temples are great. Horanadu, for example, is located in a valley and when you look around the temple all you can see are mountains covered in every shade of green. On the other hand, Murudeshwar, is located right on the beach and when you look from the temple below you can actually see the waves splashing against the walls below.
3. The idols of these temples are beautiful. In Murudeshwar for example they have built a huge statue of Lord Shiva sitting in penance on top of a hill. This statue is not only huge (around 200ft) but the way the features have been carved shows are exquisite. At night when you are at the foot of the statue you are taken by awe and wonder if the statue comes to life and stands up will reach the heavens. The idols in other temples are so well decorated and the features are so very life like.
4. The stories about the temples are also quite interesting. Each one talks of some story from the great Indian Mythology.
5. The cleanliness maintained in these temples are also great considering the number of people visiting these temples and the various rituals that are performed is truly amazing. People here respect the cleanliness and abide by the rules. I have seen this sort of cleanliness in only certain temples other than these.
6. The richness of these temples is another great aspect. The temples of Sringeri and Mookambika have pure gold temple cars each worth 25-30 crores.
7. Some of these temples have educational institutions, even universities which impart education to people at relatively lower costs.
8. Some of the temples for example Murudeshwar, Dharmastala, Hosanadu have been the created by one person. Murudeshwar by RN Shetty, Dharmastala by Virendra Hegde and Hosanadu by Jairam Hegde. These people have either bought land or donated their own land to construct these temples.
9. Last but certainly not the least, there is free food provided for all in all these places. Infact, you are expected to have food their as it is prasadam. Just to tell you the magnitude, in Udipi alone 10,000 to 15,000 people have food everyday during one meal. You might then ask about garbage disposal or cleanliness or hygiene. The garbage disposal is one of the wonders I saw there. The quality of food is also excellent and the amount of food is unlimited and you can eat as much as you want. You might then bring out a point saying this will cause people to become lazy. Well to restrict this, nobody in Dharmastala can stay beyond 3 days unless they have proof to prove that they have some religious rituals to perform at the temple.
I have just given a small overview. One has to see these places to experience them. They are not just a place to find spiritual knowledge or pray to the almighty but much much more than that. I just have one word for them AWESOME.