Local Highlight this week: 12 March, 2013,
Karinjeshwara Rathotsava at Karinjeshwara Temple, Bantwal
The Karinjeshwara temple in Bantwal is one of the most
famous pilgrim sites of Dakshina Kannada district. Also known as Kailasa
Parvata and Bhoo Kailasa because it is situated on the top of a hill, this
temple is a treat to the eyes, with the lush Kodyamale Reserve Forest
surrounding the temple, making the place even more picturesque.
One has to look out for Vagga, 10 Km away from Bantwal
towards Dharmastala. The stop is also identified as Karinja Cross, where a beautiful
entrance welcomes you to one of the most calm and serene places of the coastal
district. The alternative route leading you to Karinja through Kodyamale Forest
is also enough to keep you spellbound. The trek uphill is best experienced when
you walk from main entrance up to the temple.
The Karinjeshwara temple stands high on the hill amidst
beautiful surroundings. The temple is split into two parts - one dedicated to
the Lord Shiva, at the peak of the hill, and another dedicated to His Wife, the
Goddess Parvati, and their Son, Lord Ganesha, a little lower down the hill.
This is the 7th temple built by Kalkuda. He had vowed to build 7 temples
overnight.
Use the links below to jump directly to the respective sections of this blog.
Legend
About 800 years ago, two Brahmin youth Karinjattaya and
Ichlattaya brothers arrived at the Kumbla county from Uttara Kannada to
publicise the Sanatana belief. At that
period, Tulunadu was ruled by Taulava King.
Bhoota worship was the ritual in practice at that time in this region.
The place where Ichlattaya settled was called Ichlampady and the other by
Karinjattaya was called Karinja. Somewhere in between Karinja and Ichlampady,
in a scenic beautiful area, was built a Lord Shiva Temple. It is said that these Brahmins, who had no
descendants, had given away their agricultural property along with the temple
to the Bunts who were helping them.
There are numerous evidences in the premises of the temple
narrating several stories to the visitors about the life of the temple, as it
is believed that the temple premises has been the testimony to all the 4
‘Yugas’ mentioned in Hindu mythology.
The temple is said to have had different names in each of
the yugas. According to mythological texts, the place was called ‘Roudra Giri’
during krutha yuga, ‘Gajendra Giri’ in tretha yuga, ‘Bheema Shaila’ in dwapara
yuga and ‘Karinja’ in kali yuga. Deemed
as the temple located at greatest height among all the other temples of
Dakshina Kannada, the shrine is situated on a monolith spreading over 25 acres.
The temple is surrounded by green Kodyamale Reserved Forest adding to the
serenity of the place.
Theerthas
There are mentions in various episodes of Mahabharatha about
the 3 ponds namely - ‘Gadha Theertha’, ‘Angushta Theertha’ and ‘Janu Theertha’
found in the temple premises. ‘Gadha Theertha’ located in the foothills is in
the shape of a Gadha (mace). It is said
that ‘Gadha Theertha’ was formed when Bhima threw his mace on the floor. ‘Angushta Theertha’ was created by Bhima’s
thumb. Another pond ‘Janu Theertha’,
which is said to have originated when Bhima knelt down on the floor, serves the
water requirements of the temple throughout the year as this pond never dries
up.
When you first reach the temple, you sight the Mace shaped Gadha
Theertha at the bottom of the Karinja hill - 237 meter long, 55 meter wide and
about 7 meter deep with crystal clear
water , resembling a mirror. Ritual is that one must take a dip in pond or at
least after sprinkle water over ones head before you start the climb the through
main entrance. The soil of the spot
where the lake now stands is pathologically said to have spread over a distance
of Seven Miles, which is known as “Kodia Malai”, now inhabited by wild animals
and reptiles.
Handi Kere: A
lake in the temple premises- ‘Handi Kere’ is is said to have formed when Arjuna
killed a wicked boar with an arrow. The arrow marks are still visible on the
rocky hill. When Arjuna reached Karinja to seek blessings from Lord Shiva,
Shiva wanted to test him and came in disguise of a tribal head. When Arjuna
aimed at the wild boar, the disguised Shiva also aimed at the same boar. As both
of them shot the boar at the same time, they had a fight on whom to claim the
boar. After a long battle Arjuna was
defeated and Shiva and Parvathi gave him darshana. That is how Goddess Parvathi
blessed Arjuna with arrows having
special powers.
Parvathi temple
The Parvathi temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s consort
Goddess Parvathi. This is the first temple a devotee encounters on the
pilgrimage. From the main entrance at the foothill, one has to take a
flight of stairs to reach the Parvathi temple. You can also catch a glimpse
of Vinayaka Gudi on the way.
The climb on the steep steps built on a huge boulder supported by of iron rods is a good experience. Be careful about the Vana Senas
(monkeys) you meet on the way! They always
seem to be up to something, waiting for any bananas or fruits that you may
hold.
Ukkadada Bagilu
When you climb about 150 steps from the Parvathi temple, you
find a massive door frame made up of a stone called Ukkadada Bagilu. Ukkada
means the limiter or the border of a town and a turn pike or a toll gate. One
can notice a 0.3 cm cut mark on it, which is said to be created by the hitting
of an arrow, when Arjuna tried to kill a wicked boar.
Karinjeshwara Temple
Passing through the Ukkada Baagilu, towards the end of the
climb, one reaches the Karinjeshwara temple which has Shilamaya Shiva, a statue
of Lord Shiva in the sanctum sanctorum. During the course of the climb, one
comes across the second pond Janu Teertha, which is said to be formed when
Bheema knelt down. Janu Teertha has water in plenty. The third pond is Angushta
Teertha and lies above the Janu Teertha.
The “Shilamaya” Temple in such a high place has been
regarded as the “Bhookailasa”. Shiva temple is situated on the top of a hill, 1500 ft high
from sea level, looks like temple is standing on a huge stone. The temple is
completely made out of stones. The Shiva
Sannidhi houses the Shilamaya Shiva
Garbhagudi, Metina Gudi and a Naivedya
Kallu (granite stone). The temple from
the top offers an enchanting view of the surroundings.
Feeding Monkeys: Karinje-Dhadda
Monkeys can be found in plenty in the temple premises. According to the temple’s tradition,
immediately after the maha pooja in the afternoon, mooru seru akki (about 2.5
kg of cooked rice) is placed on the Naivedhya Kallu, a granite platform where
offerings are made. A troop of monkeys gather near the stone immediately after
the bell rings and enjoy the meal. These monkeys don’t harm devotees and also
accept food from them. Devotees offering bananas and coconuts to these monkeys
are a common sight at Karinja temple.
Legend says that when Rama and Seetha returned to this place
with the Vanara Sena after defeating Ravana. To mark this remembrance Rama left
His Sena here at Karinja.
Celebrations at Karinja
Mahashivarathri is the principal festival held in this
temple. A week-long annual fair attracts a lot of devotees who participate in a
variety of events such as Tirtha Jagarane, Mitta Jagarane, Rathostava, Katte
Pooje and Dhwaja Avarohana. On the first night of Shivarathri, there are
elaborate poojas and homas (different types of worship rituals) at each temple
into the early hours of the morning.
On the second night of the annual fair, the statue of Lord
Shiva is brought down to the Parvathi temple. This is the only day when the statues
of deities Shiva and Parvathi are placed together.
The next day, during the Rathotsava (Chariot Festival), the
two idols are paraded around at the Parvathi temple and then at the ground
level, where they are carried around in a chariot (a Ratha). Later that day,
the two idols are carried back to the Parvathi temple, where Shiva bids goodbye
to Parvathi and carries on alone to his temple.
The following night, the last night of the festival, Shiva
is once again taken to Parvathi; they are taken for a 'stroll' at
ground level before they are once again returned to their respective places.
Aati Amavasya and Shravana Amavasya are other special
festivals celebrated here. Devotees, especially newlyweds, visit the temple
during Aati Amavasya to take a dip in the Gadha Teertha.
Getting There
The Karinjeshwara Temple, also known as Karinja Shiva
Parvathi Temple, is located at Kavalamudur village, Vagga in Bantwal. It is about
37 km from Mangalore and 12 km from Bantwal Road.
The place is located between Mangalore and Dharmasthala, on
the State highway. Karnataka State bus services are easily available. One can
also hire an auto-rickshaw from Vagga to reach Karinja.
You will find that the climb of 555 steps is worth and once
you reach the peak you will get a beautiful bird’s eye view of the surrounding
areas. With all its historical significance and beauty of nature, Karinja is
one of the best places for a pilgrim centers.
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