Shivagange Hill

Shivagange is a mountain peak with a height of 1,368 metres (4,488 ft) and spread over 860 acres located in Shiavagange village, Nelamanagala taluk, Bengaluru rural distrit. Shivagange is a Hindu pilgrimage center. 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, Patalaganga Sharadambe temple and several theerthas such as Agasthya theertha, Kanva theertha, Kapila theertha, Pathala Gange. Sri Honnammadevi Temple is inside the cave. Sri Gavi Gangadhare Temple is also inside the cave. Gavi means Cave, Gangadhareshwara means Parameshwara having Gange on the top. Every January, on the day of 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. Followers believe an interesting miracle happens when abhisheka is performed on Shivalinga with ghee, the ghee turning to butter. It is claimed by the devotees/believers that this ghee has medicinal powers and can cure many ailments. Shivaganga 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 is said to equal the number of yojanas to Benares(Varanasi). Hence this is called Dakshina Kashi. An ascent to the top is considered as a pilgrimage to the holy city. The puranas give it the name of Kakudgiri. It is mentioned by its present name in the 12th century as one of the distant points to which the Lingayat faith established by Basava, the minister of Bijjala, king of Kalyana. During the reign of Hoysala kings, the queen Shanthala, wife of Vishnuvardhana, who committed suicide from this hill as she did not give birth to a son. The temple shrine is a protected monument under the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and archaeological sites and remains act 1962. The hill is also a popular for trekking, the entire trail to the peak is well marked and the presence of human-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 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.