SHRI KUMARASWAMY TEMPLE — Attraction in Karnataka

Krauncha Giri is a small settlement in Karnataka, India, about 10 km from Sandur in Bellary District. It is notable for two ancient Hindu temples which are in the same compound, and are both protected monuments. The more famous in religious terms is the Kumaraswami Temple (8th-10th century), believed to be the first abode in south India of Murugan or Karthikeya, the Hindu god of war, son of Parvati and Shiva, and brother of Ganesha. To art historians the Parvati Temple beside it (7th-8th century) is the more unusual in terms of Hindu temple architecture.

The complex houses temples of Parvati and Kumaraswami. The Ganesha idol in the Kumaraswami Temple is more popular these days than the main deity Kartikeya. Both monuments are now a protected monuments. It was discovered by the local rulers, the Ghorpades, in the thickly-wooded Swamimale hill in the 15th century. Women were earlier strictly not allowed to enter the shrine. Murarirao Yeshwantrao Ghorpade lifted the ban on women in October 1996. After the ban was lifted, nearly 3,000 women have worshipped at the temple.

The Ghorpades, well loved and respected by the locals, had declared the temple open to Harijans as early as the 1930s. After learning of this on his visit to Sandur in 1934, Mahatma Gandhi said, "a small state in south India has opened the temple to the Harijans, the heavens have not fallen." A distinctive feature of the mountain is its elliptical shape with a diametric narrow pass. According to legend, this gap is made when Kartikeya pierced the mountain in the battle with the demon Tharaka, with his sphere weapon vel to kill the demons who were hidden inside mountain. This legend is held in high esteem in Hindu mythologies including Mahabharata (salya parva. 46), Skanda Purana (asura kandam). Krauncha Giri is also associated with legends of the sages Agastya and Parasuram.

Kalidasa in his work Megha Sandesa describes the gap in the mountain. This place is connected with legends of Sri Sailam jyotirlinga in Andhra Pradesh. The name 'Krauncha Giri' is very familiar to many, but few know the location of this legendary mountain. For many, it's just a mythical one like Mount Meru. According to geologists, this peculiar mountain is made of volcanic eruptions and is very rich in mineral deposits. The soil and lake here is red marshy that owes to presence of rich ferrous deposits. Nowadays due to mindless mining in this area is resulting in habitat destruction.

Many plant species such as Strobilanthes kunthiana (neela kurunji) is found in the shola type grasslands of mountains, many birds such as orange-headed thrush, tickell's blue flycatcher, Indian pitta, verditer flycatcher, spot-brested fantail, yellow throated bulbul, spotted dove, red whiskered bulbul, oriental white eye, brown-headed barbet, puff-throated babbler, blue-capped rockthrush, red breasted flycatcher etc. Many more birds species of western ghats can be found here. It is a good habitate for many species of orchids too. The place is filled with dense green forests which normally resemble the rainforests of western ghat.

Though the place is in a hot region, because of high mountains it is always cool, many cool atmosphere-loving species of plants and fungi such as mosses, ferns, lichens, mushrooms, toad stools tinder fungus, puff ball fungus, thrive here, giving boost to many shade loving insects reptiles. Trees such as rosewood, sandalwood, teak wood, etc. flourish in forests. This centuries old temple complex is located inside Swamimalai forest range and is said to be infested with venomous snakes like russell viper and spectacled cobras. Peacocks are also a very common sight here. The forest range is also a very good habitat of leopards. Tigers roamed in the forests until 1960. But due to hunting habitat loss due to mining, they were swept away. Karnataka State highway No.40 pass through the above said gap in mountain, connecting Sandur to rest of the State. Temple is approachable by road from Sandur. Nearest Rail Heads are Hospet& Bellary on...

Just a 10 km drive from Sandur, through roads coated with reddish-brown soil from nearby mines, is the Sandur Kumaraswamy temple complex. Located on a hill called Krauncha Giri, the compound consists of two large temples dedicated to Goddess Parvathi and her son Kumaraswamy. There is also a smaller, sunken shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.

For those interested in architecture, the Parvathi temple can be of particular interest. Built by the Badami Chalukyas in the 7th and 8th centuries, the temple is quite simple in layout with just a garbhagriha, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, and an antarala that connects the garbhagriha and the mantapa.

A unique vimana sits atop the garbhagriha and a sukanasa atop the antarala. Dwarapalakas on either side of the entrance to the antarala are detailed and noteworthy. The outer walls lack any detailed ornamentation although there are five coves to place statues, out of which two are empty. The other four contain delicately carved figures that seem like forms of Shiva.

The interiors are dark, owing to the lack of any windows, making it difficult to spot any intricate details.

There are six large niches in the antarala, three on each side, which currently houses statues. It is unclear whether these statues were there originally or were added later on. Among them, the most interesting is that of the god of death, Yama, standing in full glory on the head of his vahana, the buffalo.

The more rudimentary Kumaraswamy temple, next to the Parvathi Temple was built by the Rashtrakutas between the 8th and 10th century. It consists of a garbhagriha, a short antarala and a mantapa. It looks like structural additions have been made to the temple over time.

Legends: The legends and mythology associated with the structure have overshadowed the architecture. There are claims that this is the first temple dedicated to Subrahmanya in South India.

Parvathi, Subrahmanya’s mother, follows him and then sets off to find him a bride just like her. When she is successful in her mission, Subrahmanya refuses the match as he claims that he would always see his mother in the bride. He then takes it a step forward and takes a vow of celibacy. This tale was used for centuries to stop women from entering the Kumaraswamy temple.

Situated in the middle of a forested region, the temple complex was discovered by the rulers of Sandur a few centuries back. They patronised the temple. To date, their descendants bear...

Kumara Swamy temple is one of the ancient temple located in Karnataka, near Sandur. This temple is also known as Kartikeya Temple. This temple is managed by Royal Kingdom family Ghorpade's.

One of powerful God in this region and most of devotees visit this temple on Mondays. This temple is located hilly area with thick forest.

This is perfect place for treckking lovers, those who want to visit this temple should go by walk from Sandur preferably during August to October. During this season all surrounding mountains and fields are filled with full of greenery, though this area is having several mining activities.

Few bus services also there to reach the temple or you can hire a jeep or car to reach the temple.

Directly climb the mountains at a stretch of 8 to 10 kms and reach Kumaraswamy temple. Have darshan of Lord Kumaraswamy, Parvatin& Shiva.

Temple offers prasad to the devotees during noon time. After having prasad one can have a brisk walk surrounding the temple and can start from kumaraswamy temple to another temple called Harishankara temple while enrouting Sandur. This temple is one of attraction in this region, here you can find a small natural water pond, always water is flowing from top of the mountain and most of the people visit this temple will drink this water and even carry in the bottles & water cans.

This completes the enyire temple visit with full of satisfaction and you will definitely plan another visit to this temple with your friends & family.

Kumara Swamy Blessings shall be always...