Bantwal: Devotees Throng Sri Kshetra Karinjeshwari for Holy Dip on ‘Aati Amavasye’


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.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Sharath, Bangalore

    Wed, Feb 04 2009

    Wonderfully situated temple in the scenic locales of the western ghats. Agree every bit about the rowdy monkeys but that's a small price to pay for the experience. Was there on 26th Jan 09 but the temple closed earlier at 1pm owing to a partial solar eclipse. Perhaps I can get to the sanctum sanctorum the next time. There are a few trees that you see on the ascent, whose roots seem to come out of the boulders/rocks. I highly recommend this place to anyone in the area.

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  • anil vas , bantwal

    Sun, Sep 28 2008

    Beautiful pics. My aunt and uncle live in Karnija - about 20 mins of walk from the temple area. I distinctly remember two things about Karinja - 1) Huge boulders 2) Rowdy monkeys!! :)

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  • Divya Taranath, Farangipet, Doha

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    Beautiful pictures, thank you Daijiworld

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  • Jnanesh Shetty, Kattadapadpu (dubai)

    Mon, Aug 04 2008

    Aati amavasy kashaya good for health.  Wonderful photographa thank you Daiji.

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  • Prabhakar, Karkala / Kuwait

    Mon, Aug 04 2008

    Wow..!!! What a nice place. I just heard about the holiness of this place but never imagined it to be so beautiful too.. Dil kartha hai ki ek baar jaaoo..

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  • S. Ramesh Babu, Beliyore/Uppinangadi/Duabai

    Sun, Aug 03 2008

    Thanks daijiworld....nice pictures. Indeed, it is my aunty's native place. Beautiful nature..greenery blessed by Lord Shiva.

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  • Sampath kumar, Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 02 2008

    Sri kshetra karinjeshwari holy dip surely will be a peace of mind for all the Devotees

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  • Beena, Niddodi/UK

    Sat, Aug 02 2008

    Lovely pictures, well done DK!! Thanks daijiworld for intro.

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  • A.D'Cunha Shenoy, Mangaluru

    Sat, Aug 02 2008

    Beautiful indeed. Serenity of beautiful nature, peace, prayer and belief. May GOD grant all of the devotees their wish on this auspicious "Aati Amavasye" day.

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  • Clement, Madanthyar

    Fri, Aug 01 2008

    Nice photos......

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  • sadanand, puttur /bahrain

    Fri, Aug 01 2008

    thanks to daiji , beautiful picture, my native place, keep it up,,,,,

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  • peter lewis, kalmady, udupi/k s a

    Fri, Aug 01 2008

    Beautiful photography, thank you daiji.

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  • Captain Stanley Latif Correa, Urwa Stores/Jeddah,Saudi Arabia

    Fri, Aug 01 2008

    Thank you Daijiworld for the article. Wonderful photography by Dayanand Kukkaje. I never visited this place. Now after viewing this beautiful pictures, as if I have already visited the place.

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  • Bhat, Puttur/USA

    Fri, Aug 01 2008

    Beautiful pics. My aunt and uncle live in Karnija - about 20 mins of walk from the temple area. I distinctly remember two things about Karinja - 1) Huge boulders 2) Rowdy monkeys!! :)

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  • Donald Pereira, Belthangady/Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 02 2008

    It's a wonderful place blessed by mother nature. I always cherish the moments during my visit to this holy place few years back. No wonder devotees enjoy the healing atmosphere even after climbing those mighty steps on the rocks. Undu namma ooruda namma neeruda vaishistyathe.

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Title: Bantwal: Devotees Throng Sri Kshetra Karinjeshwari for Holy Dip on ‘Aati Amavasye’



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