Brahmashram, A Natural Cave / ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಶ್ರಂ, Nandi Hills, Karnataka.

The visit to this Brahmashram on Nandi Hills, Andhra Pradesh, was a part of “Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Heritage walk”, from 25^th to 28^th December 2025, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு".

A hundred yards to the south-east of this well, on the projecting nose of the hill, there is a cave under a huge boulder. Inside the cave, on the roof, are several inscribed drawings that are not important. Near them, however, is engraved a three-line inscription in old Kannada characters of about 800 CE.

The cave appears to have been used as a dwelling place by recluses a thousand years ago. One of the walls has in very low relief a cow represented as milching on a linga. It looks as if in the Ganga days, Jaina monks lived here. Later on, in the Chola period, a Šaiva ascetic occupied it.

Ref:

A Book issued by the Archaeological Survey of India

BRAHMASHRAM/ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಶ್ರಮ

This place, popularly known as Brahmashram, is a cave temple naturally created below the two massive rocky cliffs on the eastern side of the Nandi Hills. Entry to this secluded cave is through a stone door measuring about 2.5' x 5.5'. The cave measures about 350 Sq ft and is ideal for meditation. An illustration of Goddess Kali is carved on the cave walls. It is believed that several Saints used to meditate here.

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಶ್ರಮ ಎಂದು ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿ ಕರೆಯಲ್ಪಡುವ ಈ ಸ್ಥಳವು ನಂದಿ ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಪೂರ್ವ ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಎರಡು ಬೃಹತ್ ಕಲ್ಲಿನ ಬಂಡೆಗಳ ಕೆಳಗೆ ನೈಸರ್ಗಿಕವಾಗಿ ರಚಿಸಲಾದ ಗುಹೆ ದೇವಾಲಯವಾಗಿದೆ.ಈ ಏಕಾಂತ ಗುಹೆಗೆ 2.5'x 5.5' ಅಳತೆಯ ಕಲ್ಲಿನ ಬಾಗಿಲಿನ ಮೂಲಕ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಬೇಕು. ಗುಹೆಯ ಒಳಭಾಗವು ಸುಮಾರು 350 ಚದರ ಅಡಿಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಧ್ಯಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಸೂಕ್ತವಾಗಿದೆ. ಗುಹೆಯ ಗೋಡೆಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಾಳಿ ದೇವಿಯ ಚಿತ್ರಣವನ್ನು ಕೆತ್ತಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಸಂತರು ಈ ಸ್ಥಳವನ್ನು ಧ್ಯಾನಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಬಳಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು ಎಂದು ನಂಬಲಾಗಿದೆ.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is about 1.2 km from Nandi Hills Entrance, 9 km from Nandi Statue on Neelamangala to Chikkaballapur main road, 19 km from Nandi Halt railway station, 25 km from Chikkaballapur Railway Station, and 64 km from Bengaluru.

The nearest railway station is Nandi Halt.

LOCATION OF THE BRAHMASHRAM CAVE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Shri Nellikaayi Basavannana Gudi, Nandi Idol /ಶ್ರೀ ನೆಲ್ಲಿಕಾಯಿ ಬಸವಣ್ಣನ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ - (ನಂದಿಬೆಟ್ಟ), Nandi Hills, Karnataka.

The visit to this Shri Nellikaayi Basavannana Gudi, a Nandi or a Monolithic Bull, Nandi Hills, Andhra Pradesh, was a part of “Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Heritage walk”, from 25^th to 28^th December 2025, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.

A huge monolithic Nandi/ Rishabam was established at the eastern side of the hill during the 11th Century by the Chola Kings. The Rishabam is in a sitting posture at the centre of the temple, under a mandapa with 6 pillars. The Rishabam is sculpted from a single stone. It measures 10 feet long, 6 feet wide and 6 feet high.

  

In front of the temple is the Nellikai (Phyllanthus emblica)/ Amla Tree. Hence, it is popularly called Nellikai Basavanna. Devotees believe that if their wish is said into Basavanna's ears, their wish will be fulfilled.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is about 1.2 km from Nandi Hills Entrance, 9 km from Nandi Statue on Neelamangala to Chikkaballapur main road, 19 km from Nandi Halt railway station, 25 km from Chikkaballapur Railway Station and 64 km from Bengaluru.

The nearest railway station is Nandi Halt.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thiruneelagandeshwara Temple / THIRUNEELAGANDESHWARA TEMPLE, Sirungavoor, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thiruneelakandeshwara Temple at Sirungavoor, near Red Hills, a part of Gajabrushta/ Gajaprishta Vimana temples, visit in Tiruvallur District on 22^nd February 2026. The temple is open to the sky, not even with a shed.

Moolavar  : Sri Neelakandeswarar

Consort    : Sri Neelambigai.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east on the banks of the temple Tank/ Lotus pond. Moolavar is on a square avudaiyar. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the moolavar. 

Ambal Neelambigai is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Moolavar Shiva Lingam was unearthed from the field while ploughing the land for cultivation.  It is believed that the Shiva Lingam is very old.

It is proposed to construct a new temple for this Shiva Lingam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Regular poojas are not conducted.

CONTACT DETAILS

The following mobile numbers, +916379931180 and +919444299871, may be contacted for donations for the darshan and construction of the temple.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Sirungavoor, can be reached from Rad Hill through Vilangadupakkam.  

The Sirungavoor village is about 8 km from Red Hills, 10.5 km from Minjur, 10 km from Manali, and 12 km from Madhavaram.

The nearest Railway Station is Manali/ Minjur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Palambigai Samedha Punniyakodiswarar Temple, Punnapakkam / அருள்மிகு பாலாம்பிகை உடனுறை அருள்மிகு புண்ணியகோட்டீசுவரர் ஆலயம், Punnapakkam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to Sri Punniyakodiswarar Temple at Punnapakkam, a small village on the banks of the Kusasthalai River, a part of the Gajabrushta/Gajaprishta Vimana temples, in Tiruvallur District, on 22^nd February 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Punniyakodiswarar

Consort    : Sri Balambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with balipeedam and Rishabam. Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar are on both sides of the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is slightly tall for a square avudaiyar. Utsavars are in the ardha mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma.

In mukha mandapam and praharam, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, and Lakshmi Narayanar.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is standing with abhaya varada hastam.

Lakshmi Narayanar- He was in a separate temple, in the same village. When the temple was dilapidated, it was moved to this temple. 

ARCHITECTURE

The entire temple was constructed using brick and concrete. The temple comprises the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and the open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum with vimanam is of the Gajabrushta/ Gajaprishta style. The sanctum sanctorum is on a lotus petals peedam, jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veerakandam and vettu pothyal. The koshtas are of the sala style. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam, with nasikudus. One tala vimanam, Gajabrushta / Gajaprishata greevam and sigaram are on the bhumi desam. Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Narayanar, Maha Vishnu with his consorts and Brahma with his consort are on the tala and greeva koshtams. Shiva and Parvati are on the lalada nasi. 3 kalasas are on the sigaram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that a dilapidated Gajabrushta/ Gajaprishta Vimana Shiva temple existed just a few feet south of the present temple. With a share of the proceeds from sand mining and public contributions, the present temple was constructed. This new temple was consecrated on 1^st July 1998.

LEGENDS

According to legend, worshipping the Shiva of this temple will grant one crore punniyam. In other words, if any good thing is done, it will be rewarded with a crore of the good thing done.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja, pradosham and Maha Shivaratri are conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since the orukala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

The trustee, Mr Thangaraj, at +91 9080395206, and Mr Govindan, at +919787951369, who conducts the pooja, may be contacted for poojas and further details.  Alternatively, a devotee, Mr Velayutham, can be contacted at +919884070699 for further assistance.

HOW TO REACH

This village, Punnapakkam, is 1.5 km from Pagalamedu on the Periyapalayam High Road, 3.5 km from the Junction of Periyapalayam High Road and Tiruvallur Highway, 12 km from Periyapalayam, and 24.6 km from Tiruvallur Railway Station.

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruvallur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

The Rishaba mandapam pillars belong to a Vishnu temple in the same village. When the temple was dilapidated, these pillars were brought and used for this mandapam. 

The Vijayanagara / Nayakas iconic bas relief of Herder

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Meenakshi Ambal samedha Sundhareshwar Temple Sivan Temple / ஸ்ரீ மீனாட்சி அம்பாள் சமேத சுந்தரேஷ்வர் கோயில், Perungavoor, Kodipallam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Sundareshwar Temple at Kodipallam, Perungavoor, near Red Hills, a part of Gajabrushta/ Gajaprishta Vimana temples, in Tiruvallur District, on 22^nd February 2026. Also, the 592nd week abhishekam was conducted at this temple, by the Ancient Shiva Temples, Sivamayam Group, on 8th March 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Sundareswarar

Consort    : Sri Meenakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance on the south side. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is a little short on a square avudaiyar. In koshtam Vinayagar Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In praharam, Ambal, Vinayagar Sannidhi, Brahma Sastha with Valli (?), Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, and Nagars under a peepal tree.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Amabal is in a standing posture in abhaya varada hastam. Balipeedam and Simham are in front of the sannidhi.

Murugan

ARCHITECTURE

The whole temple was constructed with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and the open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum with vimanam is of the Gajabrushta/ Gajaprishta style. The sanctum sanctorum is on a lotus petals peedam, jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veerakandam, and vettu pothyal. The koshtas are of the sala style. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam, with nasikudus. Eka tala Gajabrusta/ Gajaprishta vimanam, with greevam and sigaram are on the bhumi desam. Shiva with Parvati, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the greeva koshtams. Shiva and Parvati are on the lalada nasi. One kalasa is on the sigaram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple was constructed during the 8^th to 9^th century Pallava period and later received contributions from Chozha and Vijayanagaras. The temple was reconstructed in recent years. The Bairavar and Brahma Sastha belong to the early Chozha period.

Brahma Sastha

Bairavar

LEGENDS

Since the actual name was not known, whether Shiva was called Sundareswarar is not known.

It is believed that worshipping Shiva and Meenakshi of this temple will get relieved from marriage obstacles, and child boon, etc.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted during morning hours, the temple will be kept open.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Sivanadiyar Dharma Lingam may be contacted on his mobile number +918098830986 for the dashan and further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place, Perungavoor, can be reached from Rad Hill through Vilangadupakkam and Sirungavoor.

The Perungavoor village is about 8 km from Red Hills, 10.5 km from Minjur, 10 km from Manali, and 12 km from Madhavaram.

The nearest Railway Station is Manali/ Minjur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

PC: Mr. Karthikeyan

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---