lncrdible Bavalakki Cave and Waterfalls

Early morning of Sunday five of us started our ride from Arun’s house best part of this trip was we were supposed to cover 2 falls and 1 cave. Drive was very smooth on the way we stopped for a while Arun went to the nearby village initially I thought he went to meet his relatives but when he returned his friend also joined our team for guide us. After a short drive we parked our bikes and started our trek through areca plantation. Under the canopy of trees so the sunlight didn’t actually dry them so they were slippery beyond belief. At one point the trail goes through narrow edge on top of the waterfalls.

To reach the cave we had to follow a small stream flowing which led us to the bottom of the cave and actually this stream created 2 stairs of waterfalls next to the cave, the winding path to the right of thick vegetation leads to the base of the second stage of the Bavali falls.

There is 30 feet high waterfall, its bottom covered by a vast pool.  What an incredible sight. A stunning, tranquil Waterfall and cave hidden in a bowl of craggy, jungle covered peak. In front of the waterfall grows a massive and gnarled tree with beautiful red flowers. A colorful fresh water crab skitters away from my foot, shocked at this unwanted intrusion.

This unique geographical area has been eroded away over many years and is now full of narrow ledges snaking out into the densely forested valley. Though the fall was a little disappointing with very little water the place around was simply superb.

Later we stepped into the cave, entrance of the Bavalakki cave is partially covered with a thick hanging carpet of tropical vegetation. The view back out the cave entrance and down the cascading stream is mysteriously beautiful. The view out the entrance to the cave made me feel like I was in a tropical jungle, with the roar of the waterfall and the thick green forest all around.

Just as I am about to crawl deeper down a series of small tunnels I spot the gleaming eyes of several spiders clinging to the moist rock walls. Each is the size of my hand and proudly reigns over a thick cluster of web they appear to be some sort of tarantula and do not look particularly friendly. We spend another hour exploring the gorgeous limestone rock formations. In places we pass solid walls of glittering crystal guarded by exquisite trunk like pillars.

Thousands of bats chirp overhead as we penetrate deeper into the heart of the cave. Exploring the cave in winter may wake the bats from their hibernation, causing them to use up their fat reserves and placing them at risk of dying of starvation.  Exploring the cave in summer may disturb mother bats from nursing their young, who may fall to the cave floor and die.  Spring is the safest time to explore a bat cave because there are plenty of insects for them to eat outside, and they haven’t given birth to their young yet because without bats, all humans would starve to death.

 Our relationship with bats is as important and symbiotic as our relationship with honey bees that pollinate all the crops that we eat, and that we feed to our meat animals.  Bats work on the other side of the equation by eradicating crop pests like grasshoppers.  The bat population of a single cave can devour the equivalent of 18-wheeler truck full of insects in a single night.  From just one cave’s bat population.

There’s not enough bug poison in the world to deal with the kind of insect swarms we’d be dealing with if the bats weren’t there to eat them.  Organic farming would impossible.  And the toxic sprays that would be necessary to keep pests off our crops would pollute our waters, killing many other species, and causing untold human health problems.  So that’s why we should care about bats.  They’re not evil, they don’t attack humans. So the long and short of it is that, without bats all human life perishes.  So don’t explore this cave beyond its entrance. We noticed the very large water snakes on the stream bed.

A winding downer path on thick vegetation led us to the base of the second stage of the Waterfalls. We romanced with cold water sprays. Everyone took bath and enjoyed some time in this place, a wonderful soul stirring experience under a waterfall. It truly is a breathtaking place. Best of all we have it all to ourselves very few travelers make it to this corner and although this is likely to change I feel very lucky to be here.

We whole heartily thanked Arun and his family members for the hospitality, soon after having our lunch we back packed and started our ride back. In the end we were only left with loads of memories to cherish.

Kamalashile Durgaparameshwari temple & Suparshwa cave

Kamalashile is home to the Brahmi Durgaparameshwari temple. What’s special about Kamalashile is the fact that goddess Brahmi Durgaparameshwari is worshipped in the form of a ‘Linga’ here. Also special is a cave, which a local legend says, is visited by a tiger. Kamalashile is a small temple town in Udupi district’s Kundapur taluk. It is about 35 km from Kundapur. Surrounded by a lush green forest and mountain peaks, Kamalashile, is certainly the right place for nature lovers.

 This small village is known for its Brahmi Durgaparameshwari temple. Most pilgrims are known to tag this place along with Kollur, another well-known pilgrim town in Kundapur. There is a well-maintained road between Kollur and Kamalashile which goes further to reach Agumbe Ghats. The temple in Kamalashile is on the banks of River Kubja. As the name suggests, the village got its name from a stone linga. What’s unique about Kamalashile is the fact that goddess Brahmi Durgaparameshwari is worshipped in the form of a linga here.

 Also, there’s cave which is about a kilometre from this temple. Those who visit the temple make it a point to visit this cave, which is known as Suparshwa cave (Guppipari guhe). Legend has it that King Suparshwa who was looking for a suitable place to perform penance and attain salvation came across this cave and achieved his aim. There are a couple of interesting stories associated with this cave. Many sages are known to have come here to perform penance. Among them was Sridhara Swamiji from Varadapur, Sagar.

 A shop owner outside the temple dons the role of a guide. He says his family has, since a long time, been worshiping god Bhairava’s idol inside the cave. Our guide accompanied us with a big torch and understands so, as it was pitch dark inside the cave. Further down the cave, on the left, are three separate Lingas, which are called Trishakti lingas — Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati. All these are said to be Udbhava Murthis (images that have sprung up on their own). Further down, towards the right, is the place where King Suparshwa, Adishesha and sage Sridhara Swamy are said to have performed penance.

 Below this place, one can find the birthplace of ‘Naga Teertha’, which, mythology has it, later became River Kubja. A mythological episode has it that long back, fearing death from Garuda, Adishesha came to goddess Brahmi Durga Parameshwari seeking liberation from a curse. The goddess advised him to seek Lord Vishnu’s help and requested all the other nagas (serpents) to hide in Suparshwa cave, so she could save them from Garuda.

 Inside the naga sannidhi, there is a high dome where one can see hundreds of bats. Local legends have it that a tiger comes visiting to Suparshwa cave to rest. It has now become a custom to keep a fire burning in front of the cave, so the tiger can keep itself warm. The Brahmi Durgaparameshwari temple also has many interesting stories associated with it.

In 1968, when River Kubja was in spate, the temple was submerged. It was rebuilt much later, in 1990. Not to be missed here is a special prayer every morning, called, ‘salaam pooja’. It is performed as a tribute to Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan for their faith in the goddess. The temple has its own Yakshagana troupe, which performs ‘Kamalashile kshetra mahatme’ through the night.

Siddappa Gudi Betta -Haveri

 Trek to Siddappa Gudi Betta is really refreshing in all season with scenic view from the top of the hill we can see vast evergreen fields. At the top there is a small temple and we can find many monkeys. The site is excavated in an isolated stone hill watching all these beautiful peaks with gusty wind to our face were amazing experience. 

 Journey start with various small villages en-route is really refreshing. After a small drive from Haveri town in a nasty village road we reached a small traditional hamlet, we left our vehicle end of the road and started to hike first immediate stretch from the road side. One has to climb around 200 steps to reach the summit. The climb is safe and quite easy because of the stairway right to the top.

 However, it is well worth after crossing the first hump, a beautiful planet opened in front of us. The hill top is refreshing with cool breeze offers beautiful views of its surroundings; on the boulder strewn surface cave temple can be seen close to the hill top.

 This natural ancient cave temple dedicated to Lord Siddeshvara. There is no such history of this temple it’s difficult to say who exactly established this but locals says is that it is an ancient temple. There is no such evidence it is just the supposition that the temple is ancient by the statements given by senior devotees by villagers and the legend which was emanated by tradition.

 Spent some time and half explored the cave, offered our prayers in the temple on the top of the mountain. After spending sun set we turned back to our home carrying the great experience & wonderful memories.

The Hill Temple of Karinjeshvara

Sri Karinjeshwara temple is situated at a place called Karinja of Kavalamudur village in Bantwal taluk. It is located at a distance of 35 km from Mangalore and 14 km from Bantwal. The Karinjeshwara temple stands high on the hill amidst beautiful surroundings.

About 800 years ago, two Brahmin youth Karinjattaya and Ichlattaya brothers arrived at Kumbla county from Uttara Kannada for publicising 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. In the middle of Karinja and Ichlampady in a scenic beautiful area was built a Lord Shiva Temple. These Brahmin without any descendants had given away their agricultural property along with the Temple to the Bunts who were helping them. 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 on the way to the Shiva Temple. This is the 7th temple built by Kalkuda. He had vowed to build seven temples overnight.

One has to get down at Vagga, 10 Km away from Bantwal towards Dharmasthala. The stop is also identified as Karinja Cross, where a beautiful entrance welcomes you to one of the calm and nice places of the coastal district. The road leading you to Karinja through Kodyamale Forest also enough to keep you spellbound. It is best experienced when we walk from main entrance till the Temple.

When we reached the temple, first we sight a huge pond in “Gada” (Mace) shape – Gada Theertha (Huge pond) at the bottom of the Karinja hill is 237 meter long, 55meter wide and 7meter deep size looks like a mirror with crystal clear water. After taking a dip in pond or at least after sprinkling water over the head we have to start climbing the steps through Main entrance. From the main entrance from the road you have to start stepping on the huge stone to reach this temple. In the starting point of Parvathi temple, you can see the Vinayaka Gudi.

Ugrana Guhe (Cave )

The journey on steep steps on a huge stone with the help of iron rods feels great. Be careful about the Vana Senas (monkeys). They are always up to something. They grabbed the Bananas that were carrying in our plastic bags that we wanted to offer to Lord Shiva.

One of the temple’s specialties lies in the age old practice followed by the temple authorities of feeding monkeys led by the Alpha-Male called the Karinje-Dhadda on daily basis on Naivedya Kallu. Legend says that when Rama and Seetha come to this place with the Vanara Sena after defeating Ravan, To mark this remembrance Ram Left His Sena here at Karinja. Everyday ‘Naivedhyam’ cooked of three ‘Seru’ (700 gram) rice is fed to the monkeys immediately after ‘Mahapuja’ in the afternoon. One can see monkeys waiting near Shiva temple to relish on the hot rice at sharp 12 noon. Devotees offering bananas and coconuts to these monkeys are a common sight at Karinja temple.

There mentions in various episodes of Mahabharatha about the three temple 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 and ‘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 through out the year as this pond never dries up.

 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 for all the four ‘Yugas’ mentioned in Hindu mythology.

When you climb about 142 steps above the Parvathi Temple you find a massive door frame made up of a stone called Ukkadada Bagilu. It has 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 pig.

When Arjuna reached Karinja to seek blessings from Lord Shiva wanted to test Arjuna and came in disguise of a tribal head. When Arjuna aimed at the wild boar, even disguised Shiva aimed at the same boar. Both shot the boar at the same time, so both had a fight on whom to claim the boar. After a long battle Arjuna was defeated and Shiva and Parvathi gave him darshana. Goddess Parvathi blessed Arjuna with special powerful arrows.

When you climb another 118 steps passing through Ukkadada (Ukkada means the limiter border of a town and a turn pike or a toll gate) Bagilu, you reach Sri Karinjeshwara Temple. 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 architecture is built by stones. From Ukkadada bagilu” around 145 steps it’s the main entrance to Shiva temple. The Shiva Sannidhi covered with “Shilamaya Shiva” Garbhagudi (shiva statue) “Metina Gudi” and a “Naivedya Kallu” (granite stone), and offers an enchanting view of the surroundings.

It is revealed that the place was called as ‘Roudra Giri’ during ‘Krutha Yuga’, ‘Gajendra Giri’ in ‘Thretha Yuga’, ‘Bhima 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 picturesque green Kodyamale Reserved Forest adding to the serenity of the place.

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. 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.

Festivals:The biggest and most important event at this temple is Shivarathri, a four-day festival. 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. The next night, the idol of Shiva is carried down to the Parvathi temple and husband and wife are united for the night amid more worshipping and festivities.

The next day, 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.

 A lake in the temple premises- ‘Handi Kere’ too has a mythological story attached to it. Handi Kere is supposedly formed when great archer Arjuna arrowed down a pig. The arrow marks are still visible on the rocky hill.

Information by–Vivek Kumar K