Karinja 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

Karinjeshwara

Amman

Parvati

Introduction

Karinjeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Karinja village in Bantwal Taluk in Dakshina Kannada District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is situated on the peak of Karinja Hill at about 1500 feet above sea level in Kodyamale Hills. The temple complex has two major temples. One temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva situated at the top of a Karinja Hill and the other temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati & Ganesha in the middle of the way to the hill top.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to be built in 11th century CE and received extensive patronage under the Kelady rulers, who were under Vijayanagara Kingdom.

Karinjattaya and Ichlattaya:

As per legend, two brahmin brothers named Karinjattaya and Ichlattaya arrived Tulunadu from Uttara Kannada for propagating Sanatana Dharma in 12th century CE. Bhootha worship was prevalent in Tulunadu during this period. The place where Ichlattaya settled came to be called as Ichlampady and the place where Karinjattaya settled came to be called as Karinja. The temple was built by the brothers in a scenic mountain situated between Karinja and Ichlampady. These brahmins without any descendants had given away their agricultural property along with the temple to the Bunts who were helping them.

Beliefs

Devotees suffering from skin related diseases perform theertha snana at the theerthas in the temple to get rid of it and married women perform special prayers to bless them with the motherhood on Bheemana Amavasya.

Special Features

The temple complex has two major temples. One temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva situated at the top of a Karinja Hill. This temple is situated on the peak of Karinja Hill at about 1500 feet above sea level in Kodyamale Hills. There are about 555 steps to reach this temple from the foothill. The other temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati & Ganesha in the middle of the way to the hill top. The Parvathi temple can be accessed through flight of steps and also can be reached by road but the Shiva temple at hill top can be accessed through flight of steps only.

Karinjeshwara Temple:

This temple is the principal shrine of the temple complex. This temple is situated on the peak of Karinja Hill at about 1500 feet above sea level in Kodyamale Hills. There are about 555 steps to reach this temple from the foothill. The temple can be reached after climbing 118 steps from Ukkadada Bagilu. The temple is also called as Shilamaya Temple.

It is regarded as Bhookailasa. Balipeedam and a short granite pillar can be seen in front of the temple. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and mukha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines an image of Shilamaya Shiva (Karinjeshwara). The hill top provides a breath taking panoramic view of the forested foothills of the Western Ghats.

Parvathi Temple:

This temple is situated in the middle of the way to the Karinja Hill top. There is a shrine for Vinayaga on the way to Parvathi temple from the foot hill. The temple is surrounded by a courtyard.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri is the most famous festival celebrated here. This festival is celebrated for four days. Special Poojas and Homas are performed at each temple on the first night of the Shivaratri into the early hours of the morning.

References
https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/p/karnataka.html