Karinja Sri Karinjeshwara Temple - Karnataka

Address

Karinja Karinjeshwara Temple – Karnataka

Kavalamudoor Karinja Post,

Bantwal Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District,

Karnataka 574 265, India

Phone: +91 8255 285 255

Moolavar

Sri Karinjeshwara

Introduction

Sri Karinjeshwara Temple is a famous Lord Shiva temple located in a place called Karinja. It lies in the Bantwal taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district. This temple is perched on the top of a peak in the village of Karinja. 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.

Puranic Significance

Four yugas are mentioned in the 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.

Beliefs

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

To sort out misunderstandings between couples.

Special Features

The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. The temple is partitioned into two halves. The Surya Sadashiva Temple is committed to God Shiva and his partner Goddess Parvati. The pioneer of the monkeys is called as Karinje Dhadda. Every day after morning pooja, the naivedyam is customarily offered to the monkeys. The lake at base of the slope is known as “Gadha Theertha”. As indicated by the priest, the Gadha Theertha was cut out when Bhima knelt down and tossed his mace (Gadha) down. The are other 3 lakes specifically Handi (Pig) Theertha, Ungushta (Toe) Theertha and Jaanu (Knee) Theertha . The last two lakes were shaped when Bhima knelt down to toss his mace.

Festivals

Shivaratri is one of the most important festivals at the Sri Karinjeshwara Temple. On the day of Shivaratri, elaborate poojas are conducted and devotees throng this temple from nearby areas. The festival is celebrated for four days. On the second day, Lord Shiva’s idol is united with that of Goddess Parvati.

References

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/