Things To Do Near Shivagange Overview
Shivagange, a mountain peak of 1,368 metres (4,488 ft), is a Hindu pilgrim centre adjacent to Dobbaspet near Bangalore Rural district in Karnataka State, India. It is around 25 km from Tumakuru city and 54 km towards Bengaluru city on Indian National Highway NH, SH 97 and nearby routes. Sacred Mountain bears an appearance like Shiva Lingham. The Mountainside has a spring gush-out locally named "Ganga." Because of that , the name came to this place. It is also known as Dakshina Kashi (Kashi of the South). It has various temples such as Gangadhareshwara Temple, Sri Honnammadevi Temple, Olakal Teertha, Nandi Statue, Patalagang Sharadambe Temple and several others such as Agasthya Theertha, Kanva Theertha, Kapila theertha, Pathala Gange.
Sri Honnammadevi Temple is inside the CaveCave. Sri Gavi Gangadhare Temple is also inside the CaveCave. Gavi means CaveCave, and Gangadhareshwara means Parameshwara, with Gange at 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 was claimed that the Ganga holy water comes from the rock at the top of the hill and is used to solemnise the shared ritual of marriage function. Shivagange remains one of the most popular trekking and spiritual destinations featured in our One Day Trips From Bangalore guide.
SHIVAGANGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Sivaganga is a sacred hill with a height of 4,559 feet above sea level. Its outline appears from the east as a bull, from the west as a Ganesha, from the north as a serpent and from the south as a linga.
The number of steps leading to the top equals the number of yojanas to Benares(Varanasi). Hence, this is called Dakshina Kashi. An ascent to the top is considered a pilgrimage to the holy city.
A (presumably) Halegannada inscription just below the Sutta Basava idol, The Puranas, named it Kakudgiri. Its present name mentions it in the 12th century as one of the distant points to which the Lingayat faith was established by Basava, the minister of Bijjala, king of Kalyana.
When Hoysala kings, the queen Shanthala, who was Vishnuvardhana's wife from this hill, committed suicide as she did not conceive a son. In the 16th century , Shivappa Nayaka fortified it , which remains broken. A part of Kempegowda , who constructed Bengaluru , also repaired the fortifications, which kept a section of his treasury.
A cattle fair occurs every year around January for a month and is a marketplace for bullocks. Devotees believe an exciting miracle occurs when abhisheka is done to the Shivalinga using ghee, which turns into butter. This ghee is considered medicinal and is used by devotees to treat most illnesses . Historically, a tunnel stretches from this temple's sanctum sanctorum (Garba Griha) to Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple, located 31 miles or about 50 km from Bengaluru.
River Kumudvathi originates from the Shivagange hills and is a tributary of the Arkavati River. The Kumudvathi River flows across 278 villages covering 460 km2 (180 sq mi), encompassing the central part of Nelamangala Taluk, Bengaluru Rural District and parts of Magadi Taluk, Ramnagar District.
The river has dwindled in size due to various factors such as deforestation, unsustainable extraction of groundwater, soil erosion, encroachments and eucalyptus plantations. This has resulted in a grave water crisis for drinking and agriculture in all the villages under the river basin. However, projects and efforts are being made to revive the river.
The place is an excellent site for rock climbing in Karnataka. The trail to the summit is well marked, and the human-made steps often carved into the rocky landscape, though sometimes made of rocks, make the trail accessible for beginners.
There are frequent rest opportunities with stalls selling food and drinks. The trekking path to the summit from the foothills is 6 km (3.7 mi) in a pre-defined route. Near the top, the trail narrows into a steep stretch , and one finds safety rails constructed in such areas. The monkeys are the main fauna seen around the hill .
This shrine forms part of protected monuments covered by the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1962.
BEST TIME TO VISIT :
The best time to visit Shivagange is between April and June and between November and March. During this time, the weather is quite pleasant, and the atmosphere turns into a lovely display of ambient colours. From July to October, the hilltop witnesses the rainy season, which must be avoided when visiting Shivagange.
TIPS FOR VISITING SHIVAGANGE:
The monsoon season is not one of the best times to visit Shivagange. The wet roads and slippery trails make it very tiresome and difficult to stay afoot, and the terrain can be a major problem to traverse.
Always carry enough water with you to avoid incidents of dehydration.
Ensure you wear comfortable clothes and footwear to avoid unease.
Since the trail is long, ensure you are physically fit to undertake the trek. Exercising and stretching activities a few days before the trek might be helpful.
For a night trek, make sure that you are equipped with adequate torches and batteries, which will be very useful.
HOW TO REACH:
Nearest airport: Kempegowda International Airport of Bangalore is 60 km from Shivagange. Taxi and ridesharing services from the airport can be accessed directly from Shivagange.
The nearest railway station is Tumkur, which is about 30 km. Trains for Bangalore and Mysore towns connect to Tumkur. There are local buses and taxis to Shivagange from the station.
