Shivagange

Shivagange is a mountain peak with a height of 804.8 meters or 2640.3 feet and a Hindu pilgrimage centre located near Dobbaspet, in Bengaluru Rural district India. It is situated 19 km from the town of Tumakuru and 54 km from Bengaluru.  

The sacred mountain is shaped as a shivalinga and a spring flows near locally called "Ganga", thereby giving the place its name. It is also known as Dakshina Kashi (Kashi of the South) and has various temples such as Gangadhareshwara temple, Sri Honnammadevi Temple, Olakal Teertha, Nandi Statue, Patalagang Sharadambe temple and several theerthas such as Agasthya theertha, Kanva theertha, Kapila theertha, Pathala Gange.

 

Sri Honnammadevi Temple is inside the cave. Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is also inside the cave. Gavi means Cave, Gangadhareshwara means Parameshwara having Gange on the top. Every January, on the day of the Sankranthi festival, the marriage function of Sri Gangadhareshwara and Sri Honnammadevi (Parvathi) is conducted. 

 

At that time it is claimed Ganga holy water comes from the rock at the top of hill and that holy water is used to solemnise the dhare ritual of the marriage function.

This location was originally under the control of Hoysala kings and the queen Shanthala, wife of Vishnuvardhana, who committed suicide as she did not give birth to a son.

 The hill was fortified during the 16th century by Shivappa Nayaka. These fortifications currently lie in ruins.  The founder of Bengaluru, Magadi Kempegowda, also made improvements to the fortifications and kept a portion of his treasure within it. 

A month-long cattle fair is held during Sankranthimonth (around January) every year, which is a marketplace for bullocks. 

 

Beliefs surrounding the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Bengaluru

Followers believe an interesting miracle happens when abhisheka is performed on Shivalinga with ghee, the ghee turning to butter. It is claimed that this ghee has medicinal powers and can cure many ailments. According to legend, there exists a secret tunnel that extends from the sanctum sanctorum (Garba Griha) of this temple to the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in Bengaluru, around 50 kilometres away.

 

River Kumudvathi

River Kumudvathi has its origin in the Shivagange hills and it is a tributary of river Arkavati. The Kumudvathi river flows across 278 villages covering 460 km2 encompassing the major part of Nelamangala Taluk, Bengaluru Rural District and parts of Magadi Taluk, Ramanagra District. Due to various factors like deforestation, unsustainable extraction of groundwater, soil erosion, encroachments and eucalyptus plantations the river has dwindled in size. This has resulted in a serious water crisis for drinking and agriculture in all the villages under the river basin. However, projects and efforts are underway to revive the river. 

 

Trekking

The area is a popular site for rock climbing in the Karnataka state. The entire trail to the peak is well marked and the presence of man-made steps (often carved into the rocky landscape, but sometimes made from rocks) makes the trail suitable for beginners. There are frequent rest opportunities with stalls serving food and drinks. The trekking path to reach the summit from the foothills is 2.3 km in a pre-defined path. The trail becomes steep and narrow near the summit of the mountain - safety rails are provided in such areas. Monkeys are the main fauna inhabiting the hill.

 

Protected Monument

The temple shrine is a protected monument under the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and archaeological sites and remains act 1962.