Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Mar 23: Renowned climber Jyothiraj alias Kothiraja, widely known as Karnataka’s ‘Spider Man’, captivated onlookers on Sunday, March 23 with his breathtaking feat of scaling the massive Karinja rock in Bantwal taluk.
The Karinja Kshetra, home to one of Karnataka’s oldest Shiva temples, is perched 1,200 feet above sea level, with the temple itself sitting atop a single rock at 800 feet.
Encircled by gigantic rock formations and the dense Kodyamale Forest, the site is a favourite destination for trekkers and tourists alike.
Determined to conquer the towering rock, Jyothiraj commenced his ascent from the temple’s rear on Sunday morning. While he initially used a rope for support, he soon switched to climbing with his bare hands, stunning the gathered spectators.
Beginning at 10 am, he reached the summit within 30 minutes, covering an impressive 350-meter height with effortless agility. The blazing sun and scorching rock made his feat all the more extraordinary, leaving some in the crowd teary-eyed with admiration. Hundreds of onlookers cheered and applauded his daring act.
To mark the start of the climb, a saffron flag was waved at the hill’s base. Upon reaching the peak, Jyothiraj proudly hoisted both the saffron flag and the Kannada flag, celebrating another milestone in his adventurous career.
He then offered prayers at the Sri Karinjeshwara Temple and received prasadam. The temple’s manager, Vinay Kumar, along with the staff, felicitated him for his remarkable achievement.
Dignitaries Dinesh Nayak, Prasanna, and others were present at the event.
This event marked Jyothiraj’s first-ever stunt performance in Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada district. His vision extends beyond personal feats — he aims to establish a climbing foundation and a sports club dedicated to training orphaned children in adventure sports.
By performing stunts across Karnataka, he hopes to raise funds for the sports club. Additionally, he aspires to take his talent to the international stage, hoisting the Indian flag abroad.
His ultimate goal? To scale the iconic Angel Falls in the USA, showcasing India’s prowess in extreme adventure sports.