Sri Karinjeshwara Temple is a famous Lord Shiva temple located in a place called Karinja. Beautiful nature surrounded hill. This holy temple located in the Bantwal taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district. This temple is perched on the top of a peak in the village of Karinja. It offers a magnificent view of the surroundings from the top of a hill.
This temple is distributed into two parts- one is for Lord Shiva and the other part is for Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha. There are about 355 steps to reach the temple. The temple of Goddess Parvati lies a little lower down on your way to the Shiva temple.
History of Sri Karinjeshwara Temple
Four yugas are mentioned in the Hindu mythology and the Karinjeshwara temple is the testimony to all of them. It is noted that the temple was called ‘Roudra Giri’ during Krutha Yuga’, ‘Bhima Shaila’ in ‘Dwapara Yuga’, Gajendra Giri’ in ‘Thretha Yuga’, and ‘Karinja’ in ‘Kali Yuga’. This is one temple which has been a witness to all the four prominent yugas.
It is believed that Bhima threw his mace on the floor and a pond was formed there, this pond is called ‘Gadha Theertha’. Further, the ‘Angushta Theertha’ was created with the thumb of Bhima and when he knelt down on the floor, another pond named ‘Janu Theertha’ was created. These ponds can be seen at the temple and they ensure uninterrupted supply of water to the temple throughout the year. Another pond named ‘Handi Kere’ can be found inside the pond, this is believed to have been formed when the great warrior Arjuna arrowed a pig.
Karinja Dadda
The peak of the slope gives an amazing view of the forested foothills of the western ghats. A troop of agreeable monkeys have made their home here. The pioneer of the monkeys is called as Karinje Dhadda. Everyday after morning pooja, the naivedyam is customarily offered to the monkeys.
Legend
Around 800 years ago, two brahmin youth namely Karinjattaya and Ichlattaya siblings touched base at Kumbla district from Uttara Kannada for publicizing Sanatana conviction. At that period Tulunadu was governed by king Taulava. Worshipping Bhoota was the custom in and around then in this district. The spot where Ichlattaya settled was called Ichlampady and the other by Karinjattaya was called Karinja. Between Karinja and Ichlampady in a picturesque excellent range, was constructed a Lord Shiva Temple. These Brahmins with no descendants had doled out their rural property alongside the Temple to the Bunts who were helping them.
How to reach Temple.?
The Sri Karinjeshwara temple is at a distance of 14 kilometers from Bantwal and 35 kilometers far from Mangalore. The nearest railway station and airplane terminal is at the city of Mangalore. The temple is well connected by streets from every corner & is only two kilometers far from Vegga on the Mangalore-Belthangady route. A devotee needs to climb an aggregate of 555 stages to achieve the Shiva Temple.