Shivagange Hill - Karnataka
Gangadhareswara Temple:
Legends state that in the mythological period Lord Shiva to stay calm with the showerings of Goddess Ganga settled on the mountain, thus forming Gangadheswara temple. This temple interiors are only lit with light from earthen lamps as the only source of light. Generally we get ghee from butter but here the things are mysterious. The place is believed to house a miracle of turning ghee poured as an offering over the deity statue to butter in a minute’s time. The mystery behind this phenomenon is yet to be discovered hence continuing as a wonder among the people.
Honammadevi Temple:
Goddess Honammadevi is believed to have destroyed demon Rakthabeejasura at this site. According to legends, the Goddess Honammadevi after the assassin demanded water to quench her thirst from Lord Shiva who guided her to Goddess Ganga. Over a heated argument with Goddess Ganga over the same, Goddess Honammadevi in a surge of anger burst the base land and made the Ganga water flow from underground. This gave birth to Patalagange.
Veerabhadra Swami Temple:
According to the priest Mr. Natraj, who is serving the temple for 20 years, the temple is dedicated to Lord Veerabadra Swami, son of Goddess Honammadevi. It is believed that the Goddess has appointed her son to prevent the outward flow of river Ganga as it is too powerful to destroy the entire village if gushed out of the mountain. As per the tradition followed, devotees here pray to the God Veerabadra and Goddess Ganga for a boon to give birth to a healthy baby.
Patala Ganga:
The spring that flows from the underground of the hill is called the Patala Gange. This river is 13-kilometer in length and 50 feet in depth, with a secret stream flowing from the site to Anthargange, located in the southeastern part of the Karnataka state. Surprisingly, the water level in the summer season is far higher than the one during the rainy season.
Olakala Theertha:
Olakala Theertha is popularly known as “Pappa Vimochana Teertha” meaning to wipe off all the human sins. At this point in the Shivagange, the spring flows amidst its rocks, allowing devotees to enjoy the water and dunk their hands to free themselves from worldly sins.
Girigangadheswara Temple:
This temple is located at the peak of the mountain pillars, the stream which flows under them. The day when the holy water is believed to be originated is celebrated as Girijakalyana, marking the confluence of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.
Sidha Basavana:
The statue is located at the highest point and the steepest part of the hill. Visitors opines that the view from this spot is breathtaking and this compensates for the tough climbing experience.
Shanthala Point:
Shanthala’s point is located 500 meters uphill. According to history, it is a belief among the natives that when the area was under the rule of Hoysala kings, their Queen Shantahala, wife of King Vishnuvardhana, under the ache of not being able to have a baby boy, committed suicide by jumping from the hilltop. Thus identifying the spot as Shanthala point.
Queen Shanthala was a talented Bharatnatyam performer who was equally skillful in handling administrative affairs and making sound religious reforms for the kingdom. But her long endured sorrow over not having a son to take up the throne after the king, made her take the harsh step. The young queen in her early twenties unable to handle this pain sneaked out of the palace one unfortunate night and after offering her prayers at the neighbouring Honnadevi temple, jumped from the point. Since then this deep gorge has been named as Shanthala drop.
