Sridhara Swamy Ashram

Sridhara Swamy Ashram, also known as Varadahalli Ashram, is a Hindu spiritual centre located on a hillock at Varadahalli near Sagara in Shivamogga district, Karnataka. Established around the samadhi of saint Sri Sridhara Swamy (1884–1973), it is revered as a centre of Advaita Vedanta. The ashram complex includes the samadhi shrine, meditation hall, temples and Dharma Stambha, set amid forested hills overlooking the Varada river valley.

Visitors can expect a tranquil hilltop ashram complex set amid forested Malnad hills. The main area includes the samadhi shrine of Sri Sridhara Swamy, a meditation hall, small temples dedicated to deities including Ganesha and Subrahmanya, and the Dharma Stambha pillar. Stone steps lead up the hill with views over the Varada valley. The environment is quiet and devotional, with spaces for meditation, prayer and circumambulation, and simple ashram buildings surrounded by trees.

The ashram is associated with Sri Sridhara Swamy (1884-1973), a revered Advaita Vedanta saint and disciple of Sri Samartha Ramadasa tradition. He spent his later years at Varadahalli and attained samadhi here in 1973. The ashram was developed around his samadhi and preserves his teachings, personal items and meditation cave. It has since grown as an important spiritual centre in the Malnad region.

The ashram is a significant Hindu spiritual and cultural centre following Advaita Vedanta philosophy. It attracts devotees for daily prayers, meditation, bhajans and annual observances related to Sri Sridhara Swamy. The site is known for its emphasis on dharma, spiritual discourse and annadana (community feeding), and is regarded as a place of pilgrimage in coastal and Malnad Karnataka.