Kaivara

About the Place:

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.

Climate:

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.

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.

Events:

An annual music festival on Karnatic music is held in July every year here.

Night Life: The best thing for you to at nights here is to rest early.

Interesting Things to do at Kaivara:

• 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 places to visit at Kaivara:

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.

Other places of interest near Kaivara:

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.Route Information:

Kaivara

By Air:
Bangalore airport is the nearest airport from where a taxi can be hired to travel the 65 odd kilometers to Kaivara.

By Rail: 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.

By Road: National Highways - NH4, NH7, NH212 and NH48 converge on
Bangalore. Kolar where Kaivara is situated lies on NH4 to the East of Bangalore.

Tourist Information: Things to carry: 1. Warm Clothes.2. Trekking gear.3. Basic First aid kit. Accommodation: The Mutt Ashram provides good accommodation for the tourists at nominal costs.