Shri Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Swamy Temple — Attraction in Karnataka

Before visiting Ulavi, I had many thoughts about the route, the place, and more. This was my first visit. I hope this review clarifies for those who have the same doubts as I did.

To reach there, either you can go by your private vehicle or avail limited government buses available from Hubli, Dharwad, and Dandeli. However, timings vary from station to station. As per my knowledge, from Dharwad, there are 2 buses available directly to Ulavi: one in the morning at 9 am and another in the afternoon at 2:30 pm.

We started our journey from Dharwad to Ulavi in our own vehicle, and it took approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to reach Ulavi. The route from Dharwad to Dandeli remains the same. After Dandeli, there are two routes to reach Ulavi, with the road splitting into two options approximately 11 km from Dandeli:

Dandeli - Joida - Kumbarwada - Ulavi: This route is open 24 hours and has fewer ghat sections and curves. The road is a state highway and is broad.

Dandeli - Syntheri Rocks - Ulavi: This route is open only from 6 am to 6 pm, with entry and exit points having forest check posts.

The temple is surrounded by dense evergreen forest, with only a few shops and complexes located outside the temple premises. These shops offer items such as toys, photos of gods, vibhooti (sacred ash), bangles, and more.

Dharshan: We visited on a Sunday in April. Although there was a crowd, there was no waiting in line. We were able to visit the temple directly and have darshan. The temple timings are from 5 am to 9 pm.

Prasadam: Prasadam is available three times a day throughout the year: in the morning from 8 am to 9 am, in the afternoon from 12:30 pm to 3 pm, and at night from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Staying: Most visitors to this temple typically stay for the day, as there are no private lodges in Ulavi. Accommodation options are available both within the temple premises and outside, all managed by the trust itself. There are mainly three types of rooms available, priced at 400, 500, and 800 rupees. Rooms are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. According to my inquiry, trustees mentioned that there is no prior booking service available. However, visitors can inquire about room availability by calling ahead. It's worth noting that Saturday and Sunday tend to be much more crowded.

If you have any medical condition, it's important to note that there are no dedicated medical shops available in Ulavi. However, basic medications such as those for vomiting, paracetamol, etc., can be found at the local Kirana stores. There is a Government Primary Health Centre in the vicinity, although the availability of doctors may vary.

Sightseeing: Apart from the main temple, there are several places worth visiting around Ulavi, such as Aakla Gavi, Haralayyana Chilume, Panchalingeshwar cave, and the famous Shivapura Hanging bridge. However, accessing these sites may require hiring a local jeep, as private vehicles are permitted but proper roads may not be available. The cost for hiring a local jeep is typically around 1500-2000 rupees per jeep, with each jeep able to accommodate about 10 people. On your way back to Dandeli, you can check out Syntheri Rocks. But, you can't step into the water anymore due to recent restrictions. Still, it's worth a stop...

Channabasaveshwara Gudi, Ulavi Ulavi is one of the remotest shrines. Nestled deep inside the Western ghats, the roads leading to Ulavi traverse over hills, pass through valleys, go across streams and rivers. The journeys are interesting as long as one is okay being moved around in a closed vehicle. I've visited Ulavi three times earlier- first to attend a wedding, second time was a solo drive on humid day which eventually turned into a rainy afternoon, and the third time was with my brother and niece. We stayed overnight and the following morning we visited two caves - Pachalinga Gavi and Aakal Gavi. There are many more caves and ancient temples around Ulavi but one needs time and energy to visit them. I had hopes of seeing few during my future visits.

This visit was planned two days ahead, as soon as we saw a break in the rainfall. We- uncle, aunt, Pushpa and I- left Dharwad around 7-45 AM, despite heavy rains the roads were okay for a small car. We passed through Haliyal and Dandeli. Just across river Kali, we stopped to fill the thermos with tea as we had planned to stop at Syntheri rocks for breakfast. We were the only four at Syntheri rocks parking lot where we had bread, cheese, Kemp-chutnee, Pundiplaya, a sweet and tea. We descended into the valley for a look at the monolith and river Kaneri. The river was gushing fiercely through the rocks, kicking up a light mist. The new thing here was the open air museum of rock specimens along the stairs descending into the valley. However, we couldn't stay long because of sultry conditions. We left the spot and resumed our journey towards Ulavi.

It was cloudy and we expected rains but surprisingly it was a dry day. No surprises in the jungle like fallen trees or bamboo. Soon we reached the arch of Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Gudi. From here the temple is about 12 km. This is a junction of three roads- roads going towards Ulavi,...

Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Temple is a revered Hindu temple situated in the midst of a forest near Dandeli, Karnataka, India. This temple holds immense religious and historical significance, attracting devotees and visitors from far and wide. Here's a small review of the Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Temple:

The location of the Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Temple is truly enchanting. Nestled within a dense forest, the temple offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature. The natural beauty and tranquility of the surroundings add a sense of sacredness and make it an ideal place for spiritual contemplation and introspection.

The temple is dedicated to Channabasaveshwara, a revered saint and poet from the 12th century who played a significant role in the development of the Lingayat faith. Devotees believe that his samadhi (final resting place) is located in this temple, making it a site of pilgrimage and devotion.

The architecture of the Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Temple is simple yet elegant. The main sanctum sanctorum houses the sacred idol of Channabasaveshwara, and the temple complex also includes smaller shrines dedicated to various deities. The temple's design is in harmony with the natural surroundings, and the serene ambience enhances the spiritual experience of visitors.

The temple attracts devotees throughout the year, but it sees a significant influx of pilgrims during the annual festival called Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Jatra. During this time, devotees gather to celebrate and pay homage to the...