Vidurashwatha

Vidurashwatha is a small village located in the Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapur district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated near the Karnataka - Andhra Pradesh border and about 6 km from Gauribidanur, it played a major role in the Indian independence movement.EtymologyThe name Vidurashwatha is derived from that of a big Ashwatha tree located in this village. 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. Unfortunately, in 2001, this ancient tree fell to the ground.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 . 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.