Panchalingeshwara temple

Vitla also Vittal is a town in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, India, around 18 km from Bantwal in Bantwal Taluk and at a distance of 40 km from Mangalore.

Panchalingeshwara Temple is a Hindu temple located in the village of Vittal in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its unique five lingas or Panchalingas, which are believed to represent the five elements of nature - earth, water, fire, air, and ether.

The temple's architecture is typical of South Indian temples, with a gopura or tower at the entrance and a large central hall or mandapa. The sanctum sanctorum or garbhagriha, where the lingas are located, is surrounded by a circumambulatory path or pradakshina patha.

The temple is believed to have been built in the 10th century during the rule of the Chola dynasty. It underwent renovations and additions during the Vijayanagara Empire and the Keladi Nayaka dynasty.

The annual car festival or Rathotsava is one of the major events at the Panchalingeshwara Temple, which attracts devotees from nearby villages and towns.The festival is usually held during Sankranti, Uttarayan and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion.

During the festival, the deities of the temple are taken out in a grand procession on a beautifully decorated chariot or ratha. The chariot is pulled by hundreds of devotees while singing hymns and chanting mantras.

The festival lasts for nine days, during which various religious and cultural activities are organized. Devotees perform special prayers and rituals, offer flowers, fruits, and coconuts to the deities, and seek their blessings.

Nandi - the decorated bull which is the designated vehicle of Lord Shiva.

When the Panchalingeshwara idol is taken in a procession around the temple pond by the devotees, it is called "kere habba" or "kere utsava", where "kere" refers to the pond or lake. This is a common practice in many villages of Karnataka, especially during festivals or special occasions.

During the procession, the idol is placed on a decorated palanquin or a boat and taken around the temple pond or lake, accompanied by singing, dancing, and chanting. Devotees offer prayers and participate in the procession by carrying lamps, flowers, and other offerings. The festival is considered to be a way of seeking the blessings of the deity and is an important cultural tradition in the region.

The Panchalingeshwara Temple is a significant pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Shiva and a notable example of South Indian temple architecture.

The Rathotsava at Panchalingeshwara Temple is a vibrant and colorful celebration that reflects the rich culture and traditions of Karnataka. It attracts a large number of devotees and visitors every year and is a must-visit event for anyone interested in Hindu festivals and traditions.

Mangrove boardwalk

A mangrove is a shrub or tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water.

Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and are adapted to live in harsh coastal conditions. They contain a complex salt filtration system and a complex root system to cope with saltwater immersion and wave action.

A 2022 study on losses and gains of tidal wetlands estimates a 3,700 km2 (1,400 sq mi) net decrease in global mangroves which is worrying hence a Mangrove boardwalk in Karnataka to educate the general public is heartening. There is interest in mangrove restoration for several reasons. Mangroves support sustainable coastal and marine ecosystems. They protect nearby areas from tsunamis and extreme weather events. Mangrove forests are also effective at carbon sequestration and storage and mitigate climate change. As the effects of climate change become more severe, mangrove ecosystems are expected to help local ecosystems adapt and be more resilient to changes like extreme weather and sea level rise.

Unfortunately, mangroves are being destroyed for ‘infrastructure development’. Paved roads and Bullet train tracks will replace the life saving mangroves. It is time we give our ‘infrastructure development‘ a rethink.

The Mangrove boardwalk near Honnavar is interesting but I wish there were more informative boards placed along the walk to educate the layman. It seems to be more of a site for pre wedding shoots now!

Yana rocks!

 

Yana rocks

Yana rocks or Yana caves as it is popularly known has become a tourist destination in Karnataka.

Yana is famous for two massive rock outcrops known as the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara (peak) and the Mohini Shikhara (peak). The huge rocks are composed of solid black, crystalline karst limestone. Bhairaveshwara Shikhara is 120 metres (390 ft) in height, while the Mohini Shikhara, which is smaller, is 90 metres (300 ft) in height. They are part of the Sahyadri hill range in the Western Ghats in South India

Yana is also well known as a pilgrimage center because of the cave temple below the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara where a Swayambhu (self-manifested) Linga has been formed. Water drips from the roof over the Linga, adding to the sanctity of the place.

During Shivaratri, a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva, a Ratha festival is held here, along with other festivities.

Legend has it that the Demon King Bhasmasura obtained a boon from Lord Shiva by performing an austere penance. The boon granted was that whenever Bhasmasura placed his hand over any one's head, he would burn them up and turn them into ashes (bhasma). It is further narrated that, in order to test his powers, Bhasmasura wanted to place his hands on his patron Lord Shiva's head. He chased Shiva, which unnerved Shiva and prompted him to move from his heavenly abode to earth to seek the help of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu transformed himself to help Shiva, adopting the form of a beautiful damsel named Mohini who enticed Bhasmasura with her beauty. Bhasmsura was quite infatuated by Mohini, and agreed to a challenge she issued for a dance competition.

During the dance competition, Mohini cleverly performed a dance bhang ("pose") with her hand over her head. Without realizing the gravity of this act, the demon king also placed his hand over his head and perished by the fire of his own hands, he was converted into ashes. It is believed that the fire that emanated during this act was so intense that the limestone formations in the Yana area were blackened. The loose black soil or ash seen around the two large rock formations in the area are cited as proof of the legend by devotees who see them as due to the fire and ashes produced by Bhasmasura’s death. The two hillocks are also named for this event: the tall peak being Bhairaveshwara Shikhara ("Shiva's hill"), and the smaller peak, a few steps down below, being Mohini Shikhara ("Mohini's hill") where an idol of goddess Parvathi is installed. Ref: Wikipedia

We drove 136 kms to Yana from Hubli via Yellapur, Gullapur and Sunksal as it culminates closest to the rocks, eliminating any long treks while the other route via Sirsi culminates at a point from where one has to trek/climb for about an hour to reach the rocks. There is a pay and park facility with a flat charge of Rs.40/- per car.

The last around 5 kms to reach the top was not paved and more of a path than a road which caked the car with a thick layer of dust.

The Forest Department has built beautiful tree hollowed public toilets for the benefit of tourists.