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Karighatta Temples

Karighatta temple

About:
Karighatta is a hill situated a few kilometres outside the 'island' town of Srirangapatna. It is situated off the Bangalore-Mysore road just before Srirangapatna. The name translates to "Black Hill" in Kannada. The hill has a Hindu temple devoted to a form of Hindu god Vishnu, called "Karigirivasa". This deity is also referred to , or "Lord Srinivasa", also named "Bairagi Venkataramana". The epithet 'Bairagi' for this idol is derived due the fact that when 'alankara' (flower decoration) is done to the deity, the deity looks like a Bairagi (mendicant). The hill stands at a height of 2697 feet above sea level. It supports dry scrub jungle and many tamarind and gooseberry trees are found around the temple. A small river, Lokapavani, a tributary of Kaveri flows by the hill.

The main entrance to the temple, with huge wooden doors opens into a large quadrangle, which is the main shrine for Vaikunta Srinivasa in black stone, flanked by Yoga Srinivasa (without his consort) and Bhoga Srinivasa idols. The temple of Goddess Padmavathi is on the western side. Facing the main temple is a statue of Garuda and a Garudastamba.There is also a Kalyanamantapa (marriage hall)which is used for performing marriages and other functions.[1] It is believed that the great sage Bhrigu has done the Prathishthapana (installation ceremony) of the deity.

The hill may be climbed by stone steps (450 in number). A winding paved road may also be used. The stone steps lead to a flat land where the temple stands. The hillock has a view of Srirangapatna and Mysore. The beautiful landscape around the hill and the confluence of Kaveri and Lokapavani rivers can be seen from atop the hill.

The famous Nimishamba (the incarnation of Parvathi, the goddess wife of Lord Shiva) temple is on the opposite bank of the Lokapavani river.It is a belief that Parvathi will clear all the problems and troubles of her devotees within a minute (nimisha in Sanskrit).

Location info:
Address:situated off the Bangalore-Mysore road just before Srirangapatna.
District:Srirangapatna
Nearest City:Srirangapatna
Best time to visit: Because of its altitude, is endowed with a pleasant weather throughout the year.

Climate/Weather:
Because of its altitude, is endowed with a pleasant weather throughout the year.
Summer The summer months of April and May are moderately hot with temperatures hovering in the range of 20-35°C. The monsoon weather ushers in a rainy season from June to August with humidity levels climbing a few notches.

Winter The brief winter period in Mysore can be a bit chilly with intermittent spells of rain. Misty mornings usually welcome the early birds. Temperature usually falls in the range of 12-30oC.

History of Karighatta Temples:
It is referred in Varaha Purana as 'Neelachala', a Sanskrit word, which means 'Blue Mountain.'. It is believed that performing some aesthetic poojas (worship) at this temple could bring a lot of relief to the sufferings one may have gone through in life.[1]

It is said that the hill got its name after a wild elephant, Kari attacked and killed four girls taking bath. To bring them back to life Sage Kutsamuni undertook a rigorous penance and requested the Lord to save His devotees. Another legend has it that during the building of the bridge to Lanka to bring back Sita, Sugreeva brought this hillock, also called 'Neelachala' from Tirumala (Thirupathi). On his way several Vishnubhakhtas (disciples of Lord Vishnu) pleaded with him to leave it here and so the hill remained here.[1]

At the temple premises, there are sharp grasses, Eragrostis cynosuroides locally known as Dharbe hullu(grass) in Kannada, which is used for performing all sacred rites.[2] In "Varaha Purana" it is said that when Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Varaha and shook his body some of the body hair fell on the ground near here the grass now seen here is believed to have come from his hair.[3]

Legend has it that it was on this hill that the British had placed their cannons during the siege of Srirangapatnam.[4]

Interesting things to do:
Every year there is a big fair and thousands of people will come and after having a dip in the river Cauvery will take a darshan of the deity offering their heart felt poojas. The thousands of people who assemble on that day will be fed there on the hill by different groups of devotees. The devotees will prepare food on their own and feed anybody who comes across to the notice of these devotees.

Interesting things to Visit:
There is a small plant above the temple, the photo of which have furnished for the readers to see. It is believed that Bhrugu is staying in that plant and even believed that he himself is performing the poojas everyday.
Having such a vast background a place in the puranas having followers in thousands the place is a neglected one by the Government of Karnataka. Even if one is an atheist one can really enjoy oneself by having a look at the natural sceneries and the confluence of Cauvery and Lokapavani.

Mobile range info:
 

How to reach Karighatta Temples?
Nearest Railway Station:Mysore Railway station is the closest railhead to Srirangapatna. It is connected to Bangalore and other cities of Karnataka by regular trains. There are trains from other states as well.
Nearest Airport:Nearest airport is at Bangalore, which is at a distance of around 123 Km. Bangalore is among the most well connected cities in India with services from all airline operators in India. There is an international airport as well in Bangalore. There are buses that connect Srirangapatna to Bangalore. You can also hire a taxi from airport. It takes around 3 hrs to cover the distance. By 2009 end, Mysore airport will become operational. Mysore is only 13 Km from Srirangapatna
Road Transport:Srirangapatna is well connected by road to all the major cities in Karnataka. State Highway 17 between Bangalore and Mysore passes through Srirangapatna making it easily accessible. There are regular transport buses that run between Bangalore, Mysore and Srirangapatna.
One can reach this place either by bus (Arkere-Bannoor) root or by own vehicle

Nearest Visiting places:
Srirangapatna is quite close to Mysore and has also served as its capital under Tipu Sultan. So, many of the attractions that one finds in Srirangapatna, are related to him. There is a palace of Tipu Sultan, a fort built by him and his mausoleum, inside the city.
Ranganathaswamy Temple; Somanathapur; Dariya Daulat Palace; Gumbaz

Nearest Petrol Pump:
Srirangapatna

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation nearby Karighatta Temples:
Srirangapatna is not a very big town, so not many staying options are available here. The few that are there, are not excessively luxurious, though they are clean, hygienic and provide all the basic facilities. Good hotels in Srirangapatna are Young Island resort and Fort View Resort Pvt. Ltd. and Amblee Holiday Resort, Srirangapatna.

Things to carry:
 

Tips & Suggestions for Karighatta Temples:
 

Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Srirangapatna
Nearest Hospital:Srirangapatna
Society/Community Phone Number

Karighatta Temples Nearest Attraction
Sivasamudram Island
About 65kms, East of Mysore, you will find the tiny island town of Shivasamudram in Mandya district. Here the River Cauvery meanders to fall into cascading Shivasamudram Falls. This sparking waterfalls flows through the abundant sylvan forest of Karnataka in Deccan Plateau, plunges 320 feet into gorge into a spate, breaking into a cloud of misty foam. The falls are 893 metres wide.....more
Srirangpatnam Island
Situated on the Cauvery River, the island-fortress of Srirangapattana is famous as the former capital of the great kings, Hyder Ali, and his son, Tipu Sultan, the 'Tiger of Mysore'. The ruins of the magnificent fortress that stands here is the main tourism attraction.....more
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Srirangapatna Temples
Srirangapatna also spelt as Srirangapattana, is city of historic, religious, and cultural hub situated in Mandhya district of Karnataka, just about 13kms from Mysore. A must see place on Bangalore- Mysore Highway. Here you will come across the entire town as an island enclosed by River Kaveri.....more
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Melukote Wildlife Sanctuary
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Srirangapatna Historical
Srirangapatna also spelt as Srirangapattana, is city of historic, religious, and cultural hub situated in Mandhya district of Karnataka, just about 13kms from Mysore. A must see place on Bangalore- Mysore Highway. Here you will come across the entire town as an island enclosed by River Kaveri.....more
Hemagiri Falls
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Shivasamudram Waterfalls
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Bheemeswari River
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Mahadevapura River
Mahadevapura is located in Mandya district of Karnataka in India. A great picnic spot which is quite far away from modern world. A famous spot for film makers shooting nature scapes -for this hamlet by the Cauvery, offers some of the prettiest frames for any cinematographer.....more
Mekedatu River
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Adichunchanagiri Peacock Sanctuary
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