Shri Chenna Basaveshwara Temple Uluvi

Shri Chenna Basaveshwara Temple Uluvi

The temple of Channabasavanna faces the east. In front of the temple there is a spacious lake.  The lake is filled with lotus flowers and hence very attractive.  Devotees coming from different parts of the country, take a dip in the holy waters and are absolved of all their sins and impurities.  Thrice a day this Mohasamadhi of Channabasavanna is worshipped with all pomp and ceremony.  On the Samadhi is placed the  face of Nandi.  To the left is Sangameshwar, to the right Mallikarjuna and to the right of Mallikarjuna is Basavanna.  The Mantap outside the temple is very beautiful.  To the east and to the south there are doors.  The door of the sanctum is to the east.

            In the vast and tranquil precincts of the temple many rooms have been built for the lodging of the devotees coming from different parts of the country.  Outside the temple a very beautiful Mantap for mystic symposium has been recently constructed by the grace of the most revered Mrutyunjayaswamiji Sri Muraghmath, Dharawad, who has joined the Lord and attained salvation.  On the four sides of the temple one witnesses lavish and evergreen nature which is a feast to the eyes and a solace to the soul.  We witness there light,  nothing but light, the light of beatitude of the face of Channabasavanna.  One naturally comes under the charismatic spell of this superanal light of Channabasavanna.  And if one falls prostrate and stands up absorbed in meditation and sees,  one experiences that light has enveloped around,  the dazzling light within and without,  the glow of enlightenment of Channabassavanna filled with beatitude the immediate successor to the Throne of infinity.  It is the food fortune of this piece of land that this Chastity and Sanctity incarnate came from Basavakalyana,  seeking out of all places this forest.  What else should we call it ?

            Nature with its variegated trees of thousand kinds,  fruits and flowers,  the coconut leaves spared over like fans, by the verdant green that charms the eyes and its many streams and rivulets which create symphony, fowing musically make us so transported with joy that we feel as if we are moving about in a celestial world.  The sylvan mother here spreading fragrance of different flowers and fruits fills our body and mind with deep pleasure and satisfaction.  Every aom of the soil here exudes fragrance.  The dust here is no ordinary dust, it gives us the impression as if it is sprinkled with fragrant water.  Our mind and soul inhale that fragrance.  Wherever we cast our eyes we see the Bilva trees standing as sentinels guarding the flory, good and beauty  of the Great God Shiva.  The woods here bathed in silver moonlight make us thimk that Shiva’s smile has become monolith.  The innocent devotee thinks that the many trees and plants.  the mountains and the hills are performing penance.  Mother narue is revealed to us as on perennially performing penance.  Every atom here is sanctified by the touch of the blessed feet of Channabasavanna.  By His grace,  even and ant here has become Lord Rudra.

            At a distance of a few kilometers from the celestial temple of such a sacred great soul,  there is the historical Divine Abode perataining to Sharana life; there are many caves and Mantapas. To the north-East of the temple if we walk a little distance we see a beautiful fountain of water called Haralayya chilume (Fountain).  The water jets out from the soil.  The crystal clear sweet water is believed to be very sacred.  The devotees that come form the Darshana of Channabasavanna pour rice grains and coins into the water.  They take their bath here and absolve themselves of their sins and impurities and thus are indeed blessed.

            If we walk a little distance, there is a cave which bears the blessed name of the great dedicated devotee,  Akka Nagamma, Sister of the Lord Treasurer of Devotion Basavanna and mother of the truly enlightened Channabasavanna,  the Exponent of the Six-fold System of Veerashaiva philosophy it is said that Akka Nagamma performe auster penance here for sometime.

If we leave behind this cave and walk a few steps ahead,  there is the Vibhuti Kanaja (Store-house of Vibhuti).  It is said that the Sharanas used to store vibhuti here.  To bear witness to it there are white chalk stones.  They ate heaped in monds in the center of the cave.  The stones have taken that shape.  And these monds of stone which ate pale white are called the Store-house of Vibhuti.  This too is a sacred place.  After all,  the dwelling place of the sharanas is indeed the very abode of salvation.

            Traversing an uneven path,  crossing small valleys and hills,  if we proceed ahead we find the Akalagavi (Cave of the Cow).  It is on a steep rock,  rather difficult to climb.  On a rock spaciously spread out there is another rock.  Between these rocks there is a little hollow.  A man can entre inside lying glat on his belly and crawling.  When he gets inside with some difficulty he sees on the rock above,  udders,  looking like the udders of a cow.  Water drips down drop by drop form them.  But no one knows even to this day, from where does the water come.  In the spiritual language of virashaiva religion cow means light.  It is the supernal light of Shiva.  If we creep a few steps and see below there is an awesome valley.

          After seeing the Cow Cave, if we climb down, rest for a while and proceed further, there is what is popularly known as Rudrakshi Mantapa.  This is a small cave.  The stones on the ceiling inside have assumed the shape of Rudrakshi beads.  In this cave it is said that Shivasharanas performed their Pooja.  It is also believed that the strings of Rudrakshi they had kept here those days, have figured out in stone.  To the spacious rock over head the Rudrakshi beads appear to have stuck up.  If we strike the tock we hear the sounds of musical instruments like the drum.  About the Shivasharanas graced by supernal light unusual miracles are woven.  They are intangible to touch, beyond the reach of mere words. They move about without foot. Prints.  They are unparalleled and unique.  We cannot assess of estimate them.  Their greatness is beyond any description.

            If we go in the direction of Nairutya (South-West) we find what is generally believed to be the place of the Swadi kings.  There are a few relics of the palace now.  There is also the temple of Sadashiva, Their family god.  And by the side of the temple there is a pool of sacred water.

            To the south of the temple of Channabasavanna. At a distance of 4.8 Kms. There is the Atmalinga.  If we cross the fearsome ghats interlocked with a thick cluster of trees and plants and cover a distance of half a kilometer in the rocky cave we see this Atmalinga.  The puranas proclaim that Shiva, friend of the devotees, pleased by the devotion of the great devotee Ravana gave his own Atmalinga to him.  The devotees believe that this is the same Atmalinga that Shiva gave to Ravana.  It is believed that the great devotee Ravana worshipped the linga here in this place on his way to Gokarna, A small stream cascading down form a hill soothes the tired nerves of the pilgrims by its beauty.

n the direction facing the fountain of Haralayya-Chilume the cave of Akka Nagamma, the Storehouse of Vibhuti, the Cow Cave, and the Rudrakshi mantapa, there spreads over distance of about 12.8 Kms.  A thick cluster of bamboo trees barring the passage even though thousands of people trek through it, we pass through it and climb up steep hillocks and climb down slippery valleys, hearing the myriad sounds of the forest which create, then the sun appears before us.  It is dangerous to walk alone and even walk in a group.  But somehow taking courage in our hands, having faith in the Invisible Power, if we precede we come to a vast spacious ground, Lo! There we see the river of Kinnari Brahmayya (Bommayya) which dashes against the rocks and produces musical sounds.  The beauty of this river cleaving through the hill fills the eyes of the seeker who has come dispelling all fear of the forest with its beauty, fills his ears with the myriad musical sounds and makes him move about in a world of joy.

                   If we take bath in the flowing waters, flowing with musical sound, our body and mind experience unlimited joy.  To us who have thus come from the temple of Channabasavanna out of a limitless forest, there is such satisfaction.  We partake of the Prasada we have brought with us and rest a while here and then proceed again bent on another hazardous journey to have the Darshana of the Mahamane, divine Abode.  We have to walk, stepping very cautiously on the spacious rock and thus cover the distance on foot to the Divine abode.  If we slip, we fall into the river flowing down below.  Tying tightly a strong twisted rope to the rocks, holding the rope for support, we should walk with great difficulty and care, without losing our balance.  Thus after covering a little distance we should descend.  Then we will have first the Darshana of Lord Veerabhadra, the much adored God of the Veerashaiva in the auspicious precincts of  the Divine Abode.  From there at a distance of a few steps, there is a small door.  Inside there is frozen and fearful darkness.  Darkness.  Unmindful of that if we get in with a torch in hand.  There innumerable bats flap their wings almost hitting the eyes.  These bats attack us like a well-organized army inside, it is so slushy and damp due to the dampness of the river, that it is difficult to walk.  It is really a very spacious cave.  Over head is a spacious rock.  We have to hold the rock for support and move sitting.  This cave is very spacious to seat thousands of people inside. Successfully withstanding the onslaughts of the army of Bijjala, fighting fierecely with it. The Sharanas are said to have taken shelter here for a while and Channabasavanna along with his fellow companions used to conduct mystic symposium here.  It is said that kinnari brammayya, the commander of the Sharana army turned the face of the river infront of there cave, towards there army of Bijjala to act as a barrier and hence this river is named after Kinnari Brahmayya.  From the big rock in the middle of the river a small stream springs out.  It is very beautiful to look at.  This place in the middle of this awe-some forest.  Is really very beautiful.  We feel that our two eyes are totally inadequate to fill with this unique beauty.  The sylvan deity here, has out of here infinite compassion, poured out all her beauty.

            At Ulavi and the places surrounding it, each place has its own legendary and historical importance and sanctity as well.  There are stories and legends connected with them which the present generation finds it difficult to believe.  This Ulavi, bathed in the lake of grace and compassion of Channabasavanna who has merged and fused himself with this infinite space, is unattached.  Though he moved in a mortal frame, he was not caught finally fused his soul with the Universal Soul.  Like a mond of camphor caught by the flame, Channabasavanna has been integrated in the linga.  In the edge of the supernal light enveloping around, Channabasavanna has merged in the infinite space here.

            The body of the devotee is sanctified by the touch of this blessed land,  by the abulation in the river of kinnari Brahmayya and by the prasada he has partaken in th dasoha of the temple of Channabasavanna One Experience that one has entered into the land of light that is glowing inside.

Kodathalli Falls

Ulavi is not just about caves alone. At a couple of places are the ruins of old fortresses though their history and importance are not well documented. But the waterfalls tucked away in the jungle about five kms from the town is a must-visit. The Channabasava Jalapatha, also called Kodathalli falls (kodthalli) is a 50-ft drop from a stream. The sound of the falls in the middle of the pristine forest cover is truly refreshing.

(View this place on Map)

Check out the places nearby Ulavi   |    Get the directions for Uluvi,Dandeli

View all attractions of Dandlei/Haliyal