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Cave Temple in Karnataka – The Top 8 You Should Visit

    Categories: Tourism

Cave temple in Karnataka, such as the one in Badami is one of the much visited places in Karnataka. In fact,  the state of Karnataka is counted as a religious destination among the Hindu pilgrims. The state is dotted with temples everywhere.

Not just those prolific temple monuments stationed at popular locations, Karnataka also has temples hidden amid dense forests, on the less trodden islands and mountain peaks, and even in those dark mysterious caves.

In fact, most of the caves in Karnataka are dedicated to temples. While some of them are glorious testaments of the dynastic yesteryears, a few hide in the mystical corners with their impeccable religious impressions.

Southern Fort & the old gun, Badami. Image courtesy: Alende devasia

Cave Temple in Karnataka – The Noteworthy Ones 

Here’s a detailed catalog of eight noteworthy cave temples in Karnataka.

  1. Badami Cave Temple

This cave temple in Karnataka is a quintessential example of the architectural genius of the Chalukyas! The decent cavities on the almond colored sandstone hills along the Agasthya Lake at Badami were meticulously carved into exquisite Jain temples by the Chalukya King in the 6th century.

The first three caves depict the different avatars of Lord Shiva and Vishnu; whereas, the last is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. The rock carvings and sculptures are testaments to the creamy class of art and aesthetic connoisseurs of the ancient days.

Quick Facts

  • Main Deity: Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Jain Tirthankaras
  • Timing: 9 am to 5.30 pm
  • Best Time to Visit: September to February
  • Entry Fee: Rs. 5/- for Indian tourists; Rs. 100/- for foreigners
  • Address: Badami, Bagalkot District – 587201

Badami Cave Temple. Image courtesy: Dineshkannambadi

  1. Kavala Cave Temple

A natural wonder settled in the heart of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, the Kavala Caves are limestone formations that emerged from volcanic activities in the prehistoric times. It is particularly famous for a naturally formed huge Shiva Linga in the depths of the cave.

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Adventure famished hearts are guaranteed a satiating experience along the entire journey through the Caves. Situated around 25 km from the base camp Kavala, one must walk across the wilderness and then descend 375 steps to finally reach the Caves.

Flanked by a temple at the entrance, the Kavala Caves welcome the visitors with a strong stench of bats, the predominant dwellers there. The caves are conspicuously replete with stalagmite formations. One has to cover 40 ft. down, crawling through the winding tunnels under the sole guidance of torchlights to reach the mighty Shiva Linga. It’s an amazing sight to watch the milky lime water dripping on the naturally-formed Shiva Linga.

Quick Facts       

  • Main Deity: Lord Shiva
  • Timing: 8 am to 5 pm
  • Best Time to Visit: October to June
  • Entry Fee: Rs. 10/-
  • Address: Dandeli, Uttar Kannada District – 581325
  1. Nellitheertha Somanatheshwara Cave Temple

The small town of Nellitheertha in the Mangalore Taluk is a home to a famous cave temple in Karnataka, the Nellitheertha Somanatheshwara Cave Temple. Dedicated primarily to Lord Somanatheshwara (Lord Shiva), this 15th-century cave temple also houses shrines of Lord Ganesha and Maharishi Jabali.

The legend goes that Sage Jabali performed a great penance in this cave to solicit the help of Goddess Durga against the atrocities meted to the humans by demon Arunasura. The goddess had later taken the form of a wasp and killed the demon on the bank of river Nandini.

An interesting aspect of the cave is its narrow opening and broader interior. One has to squat, crouch and crawl on watery surfaces to reach the wonderful, spacious temple inside. The Shiva Linga stands 200 meters inside the cave from the entrance. Drops of water in the shape of amla or Indian gooseberries (Nelli) keep dropping incessantly inside the cave, resulting in the formation of a small pond. Hence goes the name, Nelli (amla) Theertha (holy water).

Another unique feature of this cave temple is that wet mud is offered to the devotees as prasadam. They apply this fine mud paste all over the body. The mud at the cave is believed to have healing properties.

Quick Facts    

  • Main Deity: Lord Somanatheshwara (Shiva)
  • Timing: 6 am to 1 pm
  • Best Time to Visit: October to April
  • Entry Fee: Free
  • Address: Sri Kshetra Nellitheertha, Neerude Post, Kompadavu Village, Mangalore Taluk, South Kanada District – 570063          

Photographer Shrikanth n

  1. Kodachadri Ganesha Guha

For trekkers sweating it on the gorgeous Kodachadri Hills up to the peak, a diversion to the right could land them into the mystical Ganesha Guha, another example of the hidden cave temples in Karnataka. An ancient stone idol of Lord Ganesha stands at the mouth of the cave. The roof of the cave slopes down into a crevice leading up to a mysterious, unexplored tunnel at the far end.

The Koodachadri Ganesha Guha is among those cave temples in Karnataka that comes packed with raw wilderness, rustic feel, gushing thrill, uncanny mystery, along with its mystic religious appeal.

Quick Facts    

  • Main Deity: Lord Ganesha
  • Best Time to Visit: October to March
  • Entry Fee: Free
  • Address: Mookambika National Park, Hosanagara, Shimoga District – 577201

DurgaTemple, Aihole. Image courtesy NAGARAJ

  1. Aihole Ravana Phadi Cave Temple

India’s ancient art, architecture and history come alive at the Aihole Ravana Phadi Cave Temple. Yet another magnificent piece of art of the Chalukya Dynasty in the middle of a scenic surrounding, the exquisitely rock-cut temple of Aihole was built in 550 AD.

Though the main shrine of this cave temple in Karnataka is dedicated to the Shiva Lingam, the entire cave is replete with stunning stone carvings of several gods and goddesses including Goddess Durga and Parvathi, the various forms of Lord Shiva like Ardhanareshwara, Nataraja and Gangadhar, the Varaha carnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Indra, Lord Ganesha, the Sapta Matrikas and Saint Bhringi among many others.

Every piece of carving on the walls, ceilings and pillars seems to narrate a legend from the Hindu mythology. The monolithic structure of Nandi Bull stands on its own in front of the temple.

Despite the fact that the jaw-dropping artworks and paintings once festooning the temple walls have been lost, nevertheless, the cave temple hasn’t lost its quaint appeal.

Quick Facts

  • Main Deity: Lord Shiva
  • Best Time to Visit: October to January
  • Entry Fee: Free
  • Address: Aihole, Bagalkot District -587124
  1. Suparsha Cave

Talk of the hidden legends of religious importance and the name of Suparsha Cave surfaces among the cave temples in Karnataka. Situated on a secluded spot amid forests at Kamalashile in the Udupi district, this cave was believed to be the chosen meditational ground for King Suparsha. He’d prayed to Lord Shiva to bless him for a successful penance free from hurdles.

Granting the king’s prayer, the Lord appointed Bhairava to permanently hold a post at the entrance of the cave so that the king wasn’t disturbed. This answers for the installed idol of Bhairava Swamy at the entrance of the cave. To the left of the cave stands three distinct Lingas called the ‘tri linga’, representing the three goddesses – Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati. Hence, the cave is also known as the confluence point of the three goddesses.

The entry to cave could be made only through the property of the famous Kamalishile Brahmi Durgaparmeshwari Temple, hardly 2 km from the cave.

Quick Facts

  • Main Deity: Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakhmi, Goddess Saraswati
  • Timing: 6 am to 9 pm
  • Best Time to Visit: October to June
  • Entry Fee: Free
  • Address: Sri Kshetra Kamalashile, Kundapura, Udupi – 576229

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Bangalore. Image source: Pavithrah

  7. Gavipuram Cave Temple

The Gavipuram Cave Temple in Bengaluru is among the most popular cave temples in Karnataka. With its origin arguably rooted in the Chola Dynasty in the 11th century, this cave temple was re-established by the founder of Bengaluru, Kempe Gowda 1, in the 16th century.

Built in a natural cave, this magnificent rock-cut monument is most famous because of its astrophysical relevance and the genius of the ancient architects. The cave temple was planned in such a manner that the sun seeps through into the cave and shines directly on the shrine of Lord Shiva in a particular evening during Makar Sankranti in January. Elaborate rituals are performed during the occurrence of this phenomenal event. Look out for the two arched stone discs of the sun and the moon on the granite pillars at the temple forecourt. They play a pivotal role in this miraculous event every year. The monolithic representation of the Damaru and the Trident at the forecourt also make for a wonderful sight.

A flight of stairs leads one down into the cave temple. The presiding deity Lord Shiva is accompanied by many other deities and sages including Nandi and Agnimurthi. Apart from the small and steady stream running through the cave, the shrine of Lord Shiva is also surrounded by two circumambulatory paths.

The two secret tunnels inside the cave are believed to lead up to Shivaganga and Varanasi, thus adding more to the mystery and mysticism of the Gavipuram Cave Temple.

Quick Facts

  • Main Deity: Lord Shiva
  • Timing: 6am to 2.30 pm; and 4pm to 8.30pm
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-January during Makar Sankranti
  • Entry Fee: Free
  • Address: Gavipura, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru – 560019
  1. Hulimavu Ramalingeshwara Cave Temple

While the 2000 years old single rock cave temple in Karnataka is a nature’s wonder, the 500 years old temple placed inside it holds serious religious significance. The mystical Hulimavu Cave Temple is located at Hulimavu on the Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru.

Yet another cave temple in Karnataka dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is managed by the Sri Sri Bala Gangadaraswami Mutt. It is said that a saint, Ramanand Swami, had sat for meditation for several in the cave. In fact, the cave houses the saint’s tomb as well. Devotees have expressed a positive vibration near the tomb.

With the Shiva Linga consecrated right at the center of the cave, on His either sides are consecrated the idols of Devi and Ganesha.

Do not just visit this temple. Sit in silence for an hour in the meditational hall inside the cave temple, and you shall surely come back feeling revitalized and more at peace.

Quick Facts

  • Main Deity: Lord Shiva
  • Timing: 6 am to 12.30 pm; and 5 pm to 7.30pm
  • Best Time to Visit: All year round
  • Entry Fee: Free
  • Address: Hulimavu, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru – 560076

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