Bantwal: Devotees Throng Sri Kshetra Karinjeshwari for Holy Dip on ‘Aati Amavasye’ 
 
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (RD/CN)
 
Bantwal, Aug 1: Thousands of devotees gather at the ancient Sri Karinjeshwari temple, every year for the annual dip into the holy lake here on ‘Aati Amavasye’. This year, the ‘aati amavasye’ coincided with solar eclipse Friday August 1.
 
A holy dip into the waters of this historical temple lake, which is almost a thousand feet above sea level, is considered auspicious. It is customary for the locals and devotees from far and wide to arrive at the temple in large numbers during Aati Amavasye every year, for the holy dip.

The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, lies on a hillock around 12 away kms from B C Road, on the Mangalore-Bangalore National Highway 48. ‘Gadha’, ‘Jaanu’, and ‘Unguppateertha’ are the major tributaries of the temple lake. 

A holy dip into ‘gadhateertha’ by newly-weds is believed to bring them good luck in their married life, while a dip into the teertha on Aati Amavasye, is believed to bring good health and prosperity. A dip at the spot where the sacred ‘lingam’ was consecrated is believed to heal skin diseases.  Childless couples also arrive here to seek divine blessing.

Legend has it that this ‘lingam’ was brought here by Bheema in the ‘dwapara yuga’ when the Pandavas lived here.  It is believed that the stream began to flow when Bheema knelt on a large boulder, and gradually became a lake. The marks of arrows shot by Arjun on a boulder still exist here.

Another legend states that Sri Rama had once visited this place. There is a boulder which is believed to be the one Sita stood on while taking oath.  It is also said that Madhwacharya built the Parvati temple on the nearby hillock. 

A story has it that a hunter woman named Karinja once left her sickle on a stone resembling the ‘Shiva Linga’ and was horrified to find blood spilling out from a mark the sickle made on the stone. To cure the wound, she applied butter on the ‘linga’ and this tradition still prevails. There is also provision for devotees to offer the equivalent of their weight in grains to Sri Karinjeshwari.
 
P Jinaraj Ariga, managing trustee of Sri Kshetra Karinjeshwar, heads the current board that deals with the temple administration.