Avani - Adventure of Trekking mixed with Mythology
I have been exploring many places around Bangalore during weekends and I also continuously look around places for trekking. Google map has been great help and so the various blogs. During my regular search I stumbled upon a trekking place known as Avani Betta.
As usual curious, I tried to find out more info. Specially the name... Avani, Why Avani? Meaning of Avani is Earth. Whats the significance?
And I started getting more information and surprised that such a significant place is hardly 100 km from Bangalore. Well its all Mythology, you believe or not, its up to you. But here we go
We all know Ramayana. There is belief Valmiki Rishi the author of the epic Ramayana, was residing here during the period of Ramayana. Surprised?? Well here is some more
Afer victory over Ravana, Shri Rama and Sita came back to Ayodhya. Shri Ram became King but after someday Sita was forced into exile a second time (why? Its another story, may be later). Sita was pregnant at that time. Valmiki came to rescue and gave her place to live in his hermitage, where she delivered twin sons named Lava and Kusha. In the hermitage, Lava and Kusha grew up to be brave and intelligent.
For the interest of time, I will skip few other important events. I am sure many are aware of the entire Ramayana.
So once Sita had witnessed the acceptance of Lava, Kusha by Rama, she sought final refuge in the arms of her mother Bhūmi (Earth). Hearing her plea for release from an unjust world the Earth dramatically split open and took Sita away.
So people believed Avani is the place where all these happened. The place where Sita stayed and gave birth to Lava Kusha is still there atop the hill. There is also a place where The war between Shri Rama and his sons Lava and Kusha happened. As I said it’s all mythology, its up to researcher to prove it right or wrong)
Anyways I was thrilled to know all these and very excited to explore this place. Cherry on the top was the 10th century ancient temple complex in the village built by Nolamba Dynasty. It was just matter of couple of hours drive from my home and I reached there with two of my friends. Avani is small village in Kolar district.Its another 32 km from Kolar. Once we reached there, found a place to park my car near the temple complex and started trekking. Next to temple complex there is one small pond and from there you could see the Avani betta.
It was relatively easy for us, especially if you do frequent trekking. The hillock has steps carved for the ease to climb up. We started ascending around 9AM, weather was cool, nice and breezy. There were no one except of us.
We found a place where Valmiki used to live and then nearby place where Sita was living. We could see the place is still very well maintained. A small pond as well.
After exploring these caves, we went up further, Railings and steps were laid down to reach at the top of the hills. Another beautiful pond and then series of steps led us to the top of the hill, where temple of Sita is built. As usual, its with every trek, once you reach at the top, you will have great view around. We could see the village, trees, lakes. Beautiful
Ascending was quite easy and then we visited the temple complex.
It was nicely managed by ASI, there are many temples but the four significant temples named after Rama, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan. Each Temple has Shiva linga and thus known as Ramalingeshwara, Lakshmanalingeshwara, Bharatalingeshwara and Shatrughnalingeshwara. Good thing is there are many notice and information board to give you mire details about the temples.
Mythology takes over again. As per archeology these temples were built by Nolamba Dynasty in 10th century but popular belief is the Shiva Linga were installed by Shri Rama and his brothers in order to beg forgiveness from Lord Shiva for fighting with Lava and Kusha.
I found the temple complex and temples very beautiful, built using granite, brilliantly carved, constructed in classical Dravidian style with decorated pillars.
Outer walls has many decorative elements friezes of elephants, images of Shiva, Bhairava, Bhairavi, Vishnu. Ganesha, Lions, Makara, Yakshas, Dwarpal (Gate keepers)
Unfortunately I ran out of phone battery and couldn't take more pictures of all the carvings.
Outside of temple complex, we could find many small shops and eatery. Overall it was great expedition, adventure of trekking mixed with mythology and ancient architecture.
As usual curious, I tried to find out more info. Specially the name... Avani, Why Avani? Meaning of Avani is Earth. Whats the significance?
And I started getting more information and surprised that such a significant place is hardly 100 km from Bangalore. Well its all Mythology, you believe or not, its up to you. But here we go
We all know Ramayana. There is belief Valmiki Rishi the author of the epic Ramayana, was residing here during the period of Ramayana. Surprised?? Well here is some more
Afer victory over Ravana, Shri Rama and Sita came back to Ayodhya. Shri Ram became King but after someday Sita was forced into exile a second time (why? Its another story, may be later). Sita was pregnant at that time. Valmiki came to rescue and gave her place to live in his hermitage, where she delivered twin sons named Lava and Kusha. In the hermitage, Lava and Kusha grew up to be brave and intelligent.
For the interest of time, I will skip few other important events. I am sure many are aware of the entire Ramayana.
So once Sita had witnessed the acceptance of Lava, Kusha by Rama, she sought final refuge in the arms of her mother Bhūmi (Earth). Hearing her plea for release from an unjust world the Earth dramatically split open and took Sita away.
So people believed Avani is the place where all these happened. The place where Sita stayed and gave birth to Lava Kusha is still there atop the hill. There is also a place where The war between Shri Rama and his sons Lava and Kusha happened. As I said it’s all mythology, its up to researcher to prove it right or wrong)
Anyways I was thrilled to know all these and very excited to explore this place. Cherry on the top was the 10th century ancient temple complex in the village built by Nolamba Dynasty. It was just matter of couple of hours drive from my home and I reached there with two of my friends. Avani is small village in Kolar district.Its another 32 km from Kolar. Once we reached there, found a place to park my car near the temple complex and started trekking. Next to temple complex there is one small pond and from there you could see the Avani betta.
It was relatively easy for us, especially if you do frequent trekking. The hillock has steps carved for the ease to climb up. We started ascending around 9AM, weather was cool, nice and breezy. There were no one except of us.
En route you can see many big strange shaped boulders and caves. You will get a feeling that someone has placed and balanced these boulders perfectly.
We found a place where Valmiki used to live and then nearby place where Sita was living. We could see the place is still very well maintained. A small pond as well.
From this place we could see the Sita Temple at the top of the hill.
After exploring these caves, we went up further, Railings and steps were laid down to reach at the top of the hills. Another beautiful pond and then series of steps led us to the top of the hill, where temple of Sita is built. As usual, its with every trek, once you reach at the top, you will have great view around. We could see the village, trees, lakes. Beautiful
Sita temple at the top of the hill. This is one of the few temples dedicated to Sitadevi in India. It was closed when we reached there, Not sure about the timing. From temple you can see breathtaking view around.
It was nicely managed by ASI, there are many temples but the four significant temples named after Rama, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan. Each Temple has Shiva linga and thus known as Ramalingeshwara, Lakshmanalingeshwara, Bharatalingeshwara and Shatrughnalingeshwara. Good thing is there are many notice and information board to give you mire details about the temples.
Mythology takes over again. As per archeology these temples were built by Nolamba Dynasty in 10th century but popular belief is the Shiva Linga were installed by Shri Rama and his brothers in order to beg forgiveness from Lord Shiva for fighting with Lava and Kusha.
I found the temple complex and temples very beautiful, built using granite, brilliantly carved, constructed in classical Dravidian style with decorated pillars.
Outer walls has many decorative elements friezes of elephants, images of Shiva, Bhairava, Bhairavi, Vishnu. Ganesha, Lions, Makara, Yakshas, Dwarpal (Gate keepers)
Outside of temple complex, we could find many small shops and eatery. Overall it was great expedition, adventure of trekking mixed with mythology and ancient architecture.
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