Avani Betta — Local services in Karnataka

As part of kolar nature tour, from Bangalore, covering Avani Betta , Markendaya hills, Kaigal falls (best avoided by families), we had visited here on the independence day long weekend.it was drizzling that day and the weather was simply awesome to hold us back in bangalore. we took a break at Kamath's restaurant for breakfast and then reached here. First visited sri Ramalingeshwara temple complex, which has multiple Shivalinga's installed by the pandavas, and there is a giant chariot stationed outside. Only 1 of them has the priest doing Puja, it was raining, so we could not spend much time appreciating the beautiful temple carvings. if you are facing the temple, about 100m to the right, there is a road (at bend) which takes you towards the base of stairs to climb to the Sita-Parvati temple at the top of the mountain. several cars can be parked there. all locals climb barefoot, mostly because of reverence of the hill and its mythology, but maybe scientific reason also there that its a steep mountain and with rains, it gets slippery, so barefoot you can feel the surface well and avoid slipping. few tourists were climbing with shoes/sandals and some locals also mentioned that climb should be done without footwear. its a pretty decent climb, so its your choice, as nothing is mentioned as such. most pathway is made with cut rocks (like stairs) or stairs etched into the rock face, at other places arrow marks are made, so the direction is known without guide. Lot of women and kids also climb, so its quite safe for family. little ones may get tired, so climb as per the climate - take water/umbrellas'hats etc. since it was raining slightly, we were lucky to climb even at noon without any problem, though surface was slippery at many places. half way through there is small cave (few structures are there) and further inside smaller cave. LEgend has it that Luv and Kusha were born here and Sitaji spent time here, which was part of Sage Valmiki's ashram. The Sita-Parvati temple at top is really beautiful and also gives very good view of the surroundings. AFter a decent climb, believe like an hour, it gives lot of peace to pray at the temple. Priest...

There are two main temple in Avani. One in the foothill - It is a place with a strong hold of Ramayana Lore. It houses 109 shiva Lingas as repetence to the fight between Rama( and his brothers and soliders) against Luv and Kush (Rama's son). As they were not aware of their relationship, Valmiki asked them to establish the Lingas for a good future. Therefore, there are 4 prominent shrines namely, ramalingeshwara, lakshmanalingeshwara, bharathalingeshwara and shatrugnalingeshwara. Lakshmanalingeshwara being the largest Linga of them all.

Atop the hill - There is a shrine dedicated to Sita. It is here that she joined her mother and entered Earth. As you climb the hill you find Valmiki Ashrama, Luva and Kusha Caves and many theerthas (ponds) depicting different stories.

About the architecture - Temple at foothill - The foundation was laid by Nalombas and walls were built by Cholas and Gopura by Vijaya Nagar Empire. You can also see the Vijaya Nagar emblem on few of the walls. The temple on the hill - It is also well built, although no information is available about its history.

About the place - It is very well maintained. The people are friendly and will guide you around. Information boards inside the temple have been put up so guide is not needed. In Avani, there is only one veg hotel that we could find. So it's your preference to carry lunch. Please do carry water bottle if you plan on trekking to the hilltop. And it takes 45 minutes to trek to the top of the hill. Stone steps makes it more accessible.

Accessibility - The temple is easily accessible from Kolar or Mulbagal. Lot of government buses pass through here or you can hire a share cab from Kolar-Mulbagal Highway. The fares are...

Best weekend getaway place near Bangalore, which is roughly 100kms from Bangalore. Avani is a small village in Mulabaagilu taluk of Kolar District. Upon reaching the location, there is a beautiful temple at the foothills and trek to the top to explore various caves and views.

Trek Difficult - Easy to Moderate Hardly take 40-50min to reach the top (Max 1hr)

Info. on Shrines Ramanjaneya Shrine The shrine closel like the Shatrughneshwara except that in its basement and cornice, elephant are more prominent than horned lions, yalis and horses also appears.

Bharateshwara Shrine This shrine is smaller and less ornate than that of Shatrughannalingeshwara. Its pillar resemble the manastambha with Octagonal shape facing the Bharateshwara linga on the outsidein a temple of four similar pillars sheltering a black stone bull.

Lakshmanalingeshwara Shrine Lokshmanalingeshwara Shrino its assignod to Nolamba period of 10 th century AD. This shrine is the most ornale in the complex. The temple on plan has garbhgriha, an antarala and a navaranga. The navaranga has four pilars have relief scuplures and the celing has Uma-Maheshwara surounded by dikpalakas, The linga in the garbhagriha is largest in the complex.

Satrughnalingeshwara Satrughnalingeshwara shrine is nearly the same size and shape as that of Lakshmanalingeshwara Shrine, but its basement has three cornices only one of which is rounded and another has rows of poorly...