Home » Pilgrims Destination In Karnataka  »  Kaivara Temples

Kaivara Temples

Kaivara

About:
Kaivara is centre for pilgrimage. This place is located in the Chintamani Taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka, a state that is in the south western part of India.. It is about 65 km from Bangalore. This place is historically significant. It is said that the Pandavas of the great Indian epic Mahabharata lived here during the exile in the forest (Vanavasa). Bheema is said to have killed Bakasura in this place. During the Dwaparayuga this town was known as Ekachakrapura. Narayanappa a famous saint who is popularly known as Kaivara Thathayya in Kannada and Telugu had lived here during last part of the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century. The town gets its name from this famous bilingual poet.

An Ashram that is dedicated to this famous saint is a pilgrimage and every year many thousands of pilgrims visit this place. It is fast becoming a tourist spot now.

Location info:
Address:Chintamani Taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka, It is about 65 km from Bangalore.
District:Kolar
Nearest City:Chintamani
Best time to visit: The best time to visit this place would be between January to March and June to September. In fact from Bangalore you could visit there over a weekend.

Climate/Weather:
This very beautiful town is situated in a picturesque valley and the temperature ranges between 18 to 23 degrees Celsius. The climate of Kaivara is salubrious. It rains here mainly during October. The rain usually is a heavy downpour. In fact this place gives the feel of a hill resort.

History of Kaivara Temples:
Also known as 'Ekachakrapura and 'Kaivalyapura', the village of Kaivara is in Kolar District. Legend says that the Pandavas spent their exile at this place and Bhim is said to have killed the demon Bakasura at this place. The village boasts a beautiful temple dedicated to Amaranarayana Swamy. The idol of the presiding deity is believed to have been installed by the King Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala dynasty. The architecture of the temple is attractive. There is also a small shrine dedicated to Aranya Rama (lord Ram in the forest) residing along with Sita and Lakshman. Temples dedicated to Bhimeshwara, Nakuleshwara, and Sahadeveshwara are the other attractions around the village.

It is said that the Pandavas of the great Indian epic Mahabharata lived here during the exile in the forest (Vanavasa). Bheema is said to have killed Bakasura in this place. During the Dwaparayuga this town was known as Ekachakrapura. Narayanappa a famous saint who is popularly known as Kaivara Thathayya in Kannada and Telugu had lived here during last part of the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century. The town gets its name from this famous bilingual poet.

Interesting things to do:
You should visit the Zoo, the snake park and the crocodile farm there which are being very well maintained by the forest department of Karnataka.

If you are a naturalist, you must study sericulture and horticulture and this place is a host many exotic flora and fauna. The place has many small scale industries flourishing in the business of sericulture and horticulture.

The hilly terrain would give ample opportunities for trekking and rock climbing. But please make sure you are there with an experienced trekker or rock climber. Do not undertake this adventure on your own. The rocks are and hills are deceptively dangerous.

Interesting things to Visit:
Amaranarayana Temple: This is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is famous for its architecture. The temple has four sculpted stone pillars with exquisitely carved designs. This constitutes the Navranga Mandapa. The idol here was installed by King Vishnuvardhana who belonged to the Hoysala dynasty.

Aranya Rama Temple: Close to the Amaranarayana is another small shrine dedicated to Lord Rama, where he resides with Sita devi and Lakshmana.

Bheemeswara Temple: Mythology has it that Bheema killed the Rakshasa Bakasura when the Pandavas were in exile here thereby relieving the citizens of this place of a tyrant. To honor this deed a temple was built here for Bheema which is the Bheemeswara Temple.

Narayanappa Mutt: A mutt/ashram dedicated to the famous Telugu/Kannada composer and writer Narayanappa (1730-1840 AD). It is said that this saint was initially a bangle seller. There after he got his call and dedicated his life to sainthood writing and composing many literary works some of which are the famous 'Amaranarayana Shathaka and 'Kaalagnana'.

Many social, religious and philanthropic activities are undertaken by the Management of the Ashram. Provision of free meals to pilgrims and accommodation at very nominal rates are some of these activities. The authorities also conduct mass marriages between June and December.

Yoganarasimha Swamy Temple: This temple is at a distance of about a kilometer from the Mutt, on a small hillock called Vaikunta. This is the place where Narayanappa was on meditation for over three years. The statue of Narayanappa is installed here. A magnificent prayer hall is within the precincts of the temple which is huge and boasts of an excellent view of the surrounding hills and valleys. This is an ideal place for meditation.

Mobile range info:
 

How to reach Kaivara Temples?
Nearest Railway Station:Many trains from all over India run to Bangalore. From Bangalore a taxi or any other road transportation can be hired to go to Kaivara.
Nearest Airport:Bangalore airport is the nearest airport from where a taxi can be hired to travel the 65 odd kilometers to Kaivara.
Road Transport:National Highways - NH4, NH7, NH212 and NH48 converge on Bangalore. Kolar where Kaivara is situated lies on NH4 to the East of Bangalore.

Nearest Visiting places:
Ambaji Durga Cave Temple: This place is about 7 km from Kaivara and is quick drive from Kaivara.

Lord Venkateswara Temple, Alamgiri: This is also within a 10km radius of Kaivar. Alamgiri is also famous for Paper Mache handicraft.

Nearest Petrol Pump:
 

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation nearby Kaivara Temples:
The Mutt Ashram provides good accommodation for the tourists at nominal costs

Things to carry:
Warm Clothes. Trekking gear. Basic First aid kit.

Tips & Suggestions for Kaivara Temples:
 

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

Kaivara Temples Nearest Attraction
Savana Durga Hills
A left turn some 7 kms before Magadi in Magadi road reduced our travel distance by some 8 kms and itz around 65 kms from bangalore city. Nice road to drive on and lotz of quarries on the way and road having lotz of bends and turns makes your drive a splendid one....more
Antharagange Temples
One of the ancient temples of india. It has miraculous water coming from mouth of got cow statue 365 dayz a year. It is a holy place people visit this temple from many parts of the Karnataka, Kolar District and karnataka state on Mahashivratri festival day every year. It is protected by Forest authority of india, has lots of Monkeys and wild Deers....more
Chikka Thirupathi Temples
Chikka Thirupathi : This sleepy little town is 10 km off Sarjapur. It takes about an hour from the Sarjapur ring-road junction. The road (if you can call it that) is very bad for a few kilometres after the Wipro office. It gets much better as you near Sarjapur. The scenery certainly isn't breathtaking, but it is a nice break from the chaos in Bangalore.....more
Kudumalai Temples
Though the name sounds like a place in Tamilnadu, this historically important place is located in Mulabagal taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka. Many people would have seen the century-old giant idol of Lord Ganesha in Bangalore on Bull Temple Road. The idol at Kurudumalai is as awe-inspiring.....more
Palar River
Palar is a river of southern India. It rises in Nandidurg hills in Kolar district of Karnataka state, and flows 93 km in Karnataka, 33 km in Andhra Pradesh and 222 km in Tamil Nadu before its confluence into the Bay of Bengal at Vayalur about 100 KM south of Chennai.....more
Ponnaiyar River
249 The river finally surrenders in to the Bay of Bengal at Cuddalore. The Ponnaiyar river basin is encircled by the Cauvery river basin in the west and south and Palar and Tondiar basins in the east and north respectively.....more
South Pennar River
The South Pennar River is known as Dakshina Pinakini in Kannada and Thenpennai in Tamil. It is also referred as Ponnaiyar .The river originates in the Nandi Hills in the Kolar district of Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before entering into the Bay of Bengal.....more