BEV SOCIETY
Founder/Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Karnataka Societies Registration Act 32-92/93

Embracing Srila Prabhupada's Vision: Simple Living, High Thinking, and the Golden Age of Varnashram with Land, Cows, and Krishna

The BEV Society has been established under the teachings and inspiration of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of over 300 temples, academies, rural communities, scientific institutions, and Gurukula schools. He also founded the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT), which publishes Vedic literature worldwide. Renowned in academic circles for his writings and teachings, he authored over 50 books on Vedic philosophy, which have been translated into more than 60 languages and are found in university libraries and homes around the globe. He is also the Founder/Acharya of ISKCON.

Founder-Acharya
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

1992 Vintage Video by Krishna Chaitanya Dasa: Preserving the Legacy of Srila Prabhupada's Vision for the 50% Varnashram Mission.

Kudachadri: Vaikunta Dhama

The historical significance of the site of the BEV Society at Kudachadri Mountain is elucidated in the ancient epics such as Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, Itihasas, and Srimad Bhagavatam. The Narasimha Purana gives an exacting description in the Sahyadri Mahatmya and hallows this spot as the adored abode of Lord Vishnu in this world and equates all the water tirthas with the sacred Ganges River in potency. The above texts claim the location BEV as being non-different from Sri Vaikuntha Dhama in this world.

The incarnation of Lord Rishabadeva had the specific purpose of re-establishing varnashram in this world as the most perfect system for world governance. The present BEV site, in a valley, on the side of the “Kutakachala” mountain is the exact spot where Lord Rishabadeva departed from this mortal world in a forest fire.

tasya ha vâ evam mukta-lingasya bhagavata rsabhasya yogamâyâ-
vâsanayâ deha imâm jagatîm abhimânâbhâsena sankramamânah
konka-venka-kutakândaksina-karnâtakândesânyadrechayopagatah
kutakâcalopavana âsya krtâsma-kavala unmâda iva mukta-mûrdhajo

TRANSLATION : “Actually Lord Risabhadeva had no material body, but due to yogamaya, He considered His body material, and therefore, because He played like an ordinary human being, He gave up the mentality of identifying with it. Following this principle, He began to wander all over the world. While traveling, He came to the province of Karnataka in South India and passed Lord Rishabhadeva through Konka, Venka and Kutaka. He had no plan to travel this way, but He arrived near Kutakacala and entered a forest there. He placed stones within His mouth and began to wander through the forest, naked and with His hair disheveled like a madman. (Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6 – Verse 7)

Other descriptions elucidated in the holy scriptures directly refer to Kudachadri, as well as the surrounding forests, valleys and mountain tops around BEV and Kolluru region as a “Siddhi Kshetram” where all perfections can be quickly achieved thousands of times faster than when performed in other places.

Lord Krishna and Srimate Rukmini Devi came here from Dwaraka after their marriage, and performed a Sambhavani Vrata’ for perfection of their marriage. Lord Rama and Laksman, Parasuram, Adi Shankaracarya, Garuda, Agastya Rishi, Kolla Maharishi, and the Sapta Rishis all performed vrata and pastimes in this auspicious place. The sacred “Sarva Peetha” of Sri Sankaracharya, an incarnation of Lord Shiva himself adorns the top peak of Kudachadri. This mountain peak is visited by numerous pilgrims every year seeking blessings, ‘mystic siddhis, perfections in music, poetry and other fine arts.

The forests that surrounds BEV are known as “Ambhavana”, the sporting gardens in this mortal world of *Ambhika’ the Divine Mother of the Universe. She sports every night in these forests with the 33 crores of demigods. The Adi Mookambika Temple is situated on Kudachadri peak where Mookambhika slew the Mookasura demon.

This Kudachadri mountain is reputed in the Uttara Ramayana, to be the topmost peak of the Marutamala mountain carried by mighty Hanuman from the heavens containing “sanjeevani” the herbs that give life to a dead man and which revived Sri Laksman when he was struck by the arrows of Indrajit.

Arasana Gundhi (Agastya Rishi Kunda): This hallowed spot was created by Agastya Rishi as a place for meditation and serenity. The golden ratham “chariot” on which Sri Mookambhika rode into Her battle with the Mookasura demon is submerged in the bottomless depths of the Kunda below the sacred waterfall. During the afternoon hours, the cascading waterfall forms beautiful rainbows and the whole tirtha is bathed in golden yellow colour giving the spot its name, “Arasana Gundhi” (tumeric coloured Pond).

Sri Suta Goswami speaks to sage Bharadvaja in the Narasimha Purana, Chapter 66, “Magnificence of the Sahyadri Mountains.”

Lord Vishnu continued: ” Besides, O lotus born Lord Brahma, situated on the summit of the Sahayadri Mountain I have my own abode.”

In ancient times, once the waterpot of Lord Brahma had fallen in the region of the Sahya mountains and since then, the place became popular as Kundika place. That place effaces all sins and bad omens. O revered sage… in these sacred Sahya mountains there are tirthas in each and every place where a stream or river has it’s origin. By taking a bath in any one of these tirthas one is cleansed of all his sins.

This Chakra Tirtha has originated from the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu; hence, it is the best holy place. To take a dip here in the river is equal to an Ashwamedha Yajna performed as many as one thousand times. It is called Chakra Tirtha by the scholars who know well the Vedas. After bathing, one should bow his head at the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu there and thus, such a man becomes free from the cycle of birth and death. The pilgrimage sites and holy places on the banks of rivers like the Ganga and the Yamuna such as Prayaga, Naimisharanya, Puskara and Kurujangala Pradesh, are all fruit givers. A dip in these holy places takes time to make a man holy at heart, but this Chakra Tirtha, emanating from the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu, immediately cleanses the heart and soul and makes a man free of all sins.

Chakra Tirtha on BEV Properties

Garuda Guha - Kolluru

Lord Vishnu sent His Vahana, Sri Garuda Deva to carry Ambika Devi, the Divine Mother of all Universes, to Kolluru to engage in battle with Mookasura. While Mookambhika Devi killed the Mookasura demon, Garuda rested in a cave on the banks of the Sauparnika River. In this cave “Suparna”, the golden winged carrier of Lord Vishnu performed Tapasya. To this day, in the Garuda Guha, Garuda- the incarnation of the Lord’s Brahman feature vibrates the sacred chanting of the divisions of the Sama Veda, brhat and rathantara. These Sama veda utterances are automatically heard by the devotees when the great devotee of the Lord, Garuda, flaps his wings. The panacean water of the Sourparnika River flow from its source at Kodachadri to Kollur and is reputed to contain 64 ayurvedic herbs and the ‘Sanjeevani Oshadhas’ brought to earth from the heavens by Sri Hanuman. Pilgrims who drink the ambrosial waters and bathe at this very spot with undivided love and devotion can be immediately be cured from all mental or physical ailments.

His Holiness Chidananda Swami: A Legacy of Devotion and Service

His Holiness Chidananda Swami is the founder of the Garuda Guha Ashram at Kolluru. In this place Maharaj was doing tapasya and severe penances for more than 25 years. His Ishta-devata is Bhagavan Sri Krishna and daily he was immersed in the study of the Srimad Bhagavatam. His Pushpa Samadhi and a Bhajan Mandal dedicated to his divine self id situated here.

Sacred Sites and Legends of the Sahyadri Mountains

Kudachadri: Vaikunta Dhama

The BEV Society site at Kudachadri Mountain is revered in ancient epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Narasimha Purana, in Sahyadri Mahatmya, describes it as a sacred abode of Lord Vishnu, equating its tirthas with the Ganges and likening it to Sri Vaikuntha Dhama.

Kollur Garuda Guha

Lord Vishnu sent Garuda to carry Ambika Devi to Kolluru to defeat Mookasura. After the battle, Garuda rested in a cave by the Souparnika River, where he performed Tapasya. Devotees still hear sacred Sama Veda chants when Garuda flaps his wings. The river’s water, rich in 64 Ayurvedic herbs and Sanjeevani, is believed to cure all ailments for pilgrims who drink and bathe with devotion.

Arasana Gundi

Arasana Gundi (Agastya Rishi Kunda) was created by Agastya Rishi for meditation. Sri Mookambika's golden chariot is said to be submerged in the pond beneath the waterfall. In the afternoons, the falls create rainbows, and the area is bathed in golden light, giving it the name "Arasana Gundi" (turmeric-colored pond). The Narasimha Purana mentions this region as Lord Vishnu's sacred abode, and its tirthas are believed to cleanse all sins.

Experience BEV: Your Adventure Starts Here

Narasimha Temple

“Oh devoted one, one who builds a beautiful temple for Lord Narasimhadeva will be freed from all sinful reactions and he will enter the Vaikunta planets..... Oh King in the place where Lord Narasimha is worshipped all ailments, famine, fear of thieves are removed from there forever, and he attains emancipation from the cycle of birth & death.... The village with a temple of Narasimhadeva where worship is duly performed does not suffer from famine, drought, immolation and the village people live their full life and do not die premature death due to epidemics. Hence the building of Lord Narasimha’s temple and worship must be properly performed.”

Goshala

At BEV, inspired by Prabhupada's teachings, we uphold the tradition of Goshala with utmost dedication and devotion. Our Goshala stands as a testament to our commitment to cow protection and sustainable living. Here, our cows are cherished members of our community, receiving the highest standard of care and respect. Through their presence, we honor the timeless wisdom of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and strive to embody his vision of simple living and high thinking.

Gurukula

The BEV Rishikula trains students to enjoy learning and offers each child an opportunity to explore all varieties of career options by exposing them to every facet of human knowledge and enterprise. Of supreme importance, the boys will learn Samskritam, Sangeetam and the Yuga Dharma, Sankirtana Yagna, which will install them in Love of Hari Kirtan. With this spiritual foundation, they can grow up into enlightened men who can weather any storm and any setback the world may present.

Saptarishi Yoga Retreats & Athithi Bhavan

The Saptarishi Yoga Retreats & Athithi Bhavan is located at the foot of the Sacred Mount Kudhachadri, in the Sahyadri mountain range high above the Mookambika Temple in Kollur, Karnakata. Amidst the lush forests of the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is a newly completed Retreat Facility offering a life enhancing experience for those in search of stillness, relaxation, rejuvenation, spiritual renewal and a return to Nature. In perfect harmony with the natural surroundings and reflecting its beauty and simplicity, SAPTARISHI is a totally unique venue for Yoga, Meditation, Team Building, Group Retreats, Environmental/Ecology Seminars, Nature Camps, Family Gateways, Spiritual Practice and Personal Sabbaticals.

Organic Agriculture, Horticulture, & Food Forests

Organic agriculture, as followed at BEV, includes all agricultural systems that promote environmentally, socially and economically sound production of food and fibres. These systems take soil fertility as a key to successful production. By respecting the natural capacity of plants, animals and the landscape, it aims to optimise quality in all aspects of agriculture and the environment. Organic agriculture dramatically reduces external inputs by refraining from the use of chemo-synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Instead it allows the laws of nature to increase both agricultural yields and disease resistance. Organic agriculture adheres to globally accepted principles, which are implemented within local social-economic, climatic and cultural settings. As a logical consequence, BEV stresses and supports the development of self-supporting systems on local and regional levels.

Mookhambhika National Wildlife Reserves

One of the major accomplishments of the BEV was the establishment of the Nature Protection program. The main purpose of the Program is to identify the forest reserves' natural features and establish priorities for their protection. Since inception rare varieties of flora have been planted to preserve their importance as well as for propagation. Trekking Trails meander through the natural surroundings. Camps, seminars and treks are organized on a regular basis for awareness and preservation of the environment. The program also works with other agencies to increase protection for high priority natural areas that are not dedicated nature preserves, but contain important features.