History of Kaivara: Significance of Kaivara in Mahabharata times: Kaivara was known as Ekachakrapura in those days. Pandava brothers along with their mother had stayed in this place during their forest exile. The famous fight between Bheema and Bakasura (a demon) had taken place at Kaivara hill known as Bheema-Bakasura Betta. After the fight it is said that Bheema split Bakasura in half, pushed him in a cave and barred the entrance with a large boulder. He uttered the words,” until the name of Bheema exists in Bharata (India) you will not be liberated from this place. You can see this place when you climb the hill Bheema-Bakasura Betta. It is said that every year during the festival of Ratha-sapthami at Kaivara a red- white liquid from Bakasura oozes out of the cave. After killing Bakasura, Bheema installed a Shiv Linga. The temple is now known as Bheema- Lingeshwara temple. Mention of Kaivara in Ramayana times: Sita, Rama and Lakshmana during their period of forest exile visited the AmarNarayana temple at Kaivara. They stayed here for nearly 3 days. As it was summer Sita felt very thirsty and so Lakshmana climbed atop Bheema-Bakasura Betta to search for water. Not finding any signs of water he shot his arrow on a nearby rock. The rock split and water gushed out of it. The theertha or water body is now named as Lakshmana theertha and can be found at the top of Bheema-Bakasura Betta. The theertha is in the form of bow and arrow. It is said that a dip in these waters absolves the traveler of all sins. Significance of Kaivara during KrutaYuga (era before Ramayana and Mahabharata): It is said that there was a major fight between Indra, the King of Gods and a demon named Vruthasura. After few days of constant war Indra emerged victorious by killing the demon. To wash off his sins he installed the idol of AmarNarayana (form of Lord Vishnu) at Kaivara. So the statue of AmarNarayana is Indra-prathistapana (Installed by Indra) and has been existing for centuries. In the last century: In the last half of 18 century there was a famous saint named Narayanaappa. He was a bangle seller but later attained enlightenment after a penance of 6 months. He has written a number of poems in Kannada and Telegu in the praise of Lord Vishnu. His teachings were simple but his miracles were extraordinary like bringing rain in the village during a draught hit condition. Thus he was famously known as kaivara Thathayya. Phew, after that long history let us take a look at some major attractions at Kaivara. Places to see: AmarNarayanaswamy temple: The temple has the beautiful idol of AmarNarayana. As it is installed in KrutaYuga by Indra you don’t see the customary bodyguards of Vishnu at the temple entrance. Inside the temple complex there are also idols of Kalyana Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana, the ferocious Anjaneya and the statue of saint Narayanaappa. Narayanaappa ashrama: This is the ashrama of saint Narayanaappa. The statue and his last remains are kept here. The ashrama provides free food and lodging. Mass marriages are conducted here in the months of June to December. Bheema-Lingeshwara temple: Opposite to AmarNarayanaswamy temple you can find the Bheema- Lingeshwara temple. Here you will find 5 Shiv lingas installed by each of the Pandava brothers. There is also an idol of Parvati inside the temple. Bheema-Bakasura Betta: Opposite to Bheema-Lingeshwara temple you will find this hill. It is a 30 minute climb to the hill with around 700 stone steps to take you atop. At the top you can find the Lakshmana theertha, hanuman temple and a Chamundeshwari temple. It is said that the goddess Chamundeshwari took a dip in the holy waters of Lakshmana theertha after slaying the demon Mahishasura. That is why there is a Chamundeshwari temple on top of the hill. Yoganarasimha Swamy temple: About 1 kilometer from Bheema- Lingeshwara temple is a small hill called Vaikunta. Atop this hill you can find Gavi AmarNarayanaswamy temple, Yoganarasimha cave temple and a meditation hall. As Narayanaappa mediated in the Yoganarasimha cave for 6 months and got enlightenment you can also find the statue of this saint here. The prayer cum mediation hall is at the top of the hill and has plenty of idols of saints like Vasista, Bhardwaja and Athri. The view from Vaikunta is fantastic and is ideal for an hour long meditation. Kailasha Giri: About 6-7 kilometers from Kaivara is Kailasha giri where you can see the following cave temples. Ambaji Durga Cave temples: These man made cave temples are located atop a hill from where you can get a panoramic view of Chintamani. Inside the monolithic man made caves you can view the idols of Lord Ganesha, Four faced Shiva (Chatur Muka Shiva) and goddess Jagadamba. Though the hill is great for exploring rocky terrains and streams originating from rocks, you are advised not to roam without guidance. There are lots of mugging incidents reported here. Atop the hill there is also a lake which is the prime water supply for Chintamani. Ananta Padmanabha and Chenna Keshava cave temple: unlike Ambaji Durga this temple is not man made. It is a natural cave temple housing the beautiful idol of Ananta Padmanabha and Chenna Keshava. The cave here has a small opening from which you can enter. Going inside this cave you can find a lot of serpent heads carved in the rocks of the cave. The priest told us that lord Ananta Padmanabha resides in this cave. Though less popular than Ambaji Durga, the cave nevertheless inspires a sacred feeling. To reach this temple you must take a right when coming down from Ambaji Durga hill. Other places to visit: Tapovan or Kaivara garden: Here you can find five cottages named after Pandava brothers and you can also find a mini zoo (mostly birds).There is also a mini herbarium. Lord Venkateshwara temple: At Amalgiri 10 kilometers from Kaivara you can find a very old temple of Lord venkateshwara. How to get there? Kaivara is at a distance of 65-70 kilometers from Bangalore in Chintamani Taluk, Chikballapur district. You can either take the Bangalore- Hoskote-Kaivara cross-Kaivara route or Bangalore-Devenhalli-Vijayapura- Jangamakote-H-cross- Kaivara cross- Kaivara. After reaching Devenhalli you must take a right towards Vijayapura, then a right towards Jangamakote, reach H cross and finally a left to get to Kaivara cross. If traveling by bus you will easily get KSRTC buses till Kaivara cross. From there you will have to catch an auto. Food and accommodation: Food is distributed as prasadam at Kailasha giri cave temples. The prasada timings are between 12.30-3.30 p.m. Lodging is available at Narayanaappa ashrama.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 17:09:06 +0000