21st August 2018.
This visit to Stti betta hill Kala Bhairava was a part of
Bangalore and Kolar Heritage visit to the Chozha period temples. The Sitti
Betta hill was one of a considerable
important hill during Chozha and Hoysala periods in Nolamba territory. The twin
temples Sri Patishwara and Kala bhairava temples are on the top the hill.
Sri Patishwara temple was constructed utilizing the natural cave. The mandapas
are supported by the Nolamba ornate pillars. In the Kala Bhairava temple sannadhi
for Virabhadra and Mahishasuramardini. The twin temple is facing east with a palipedam
and a Dwajasthambam. A Tamil inscription, mentioning "Rajaraja" stone is standing in front of the temple.
The Linga is called as "Sripatiswara", since Vishnu is also called as Sripati and
in Kannada Sihatti or Sihati, which corrupted as Sitti. In the inscription
Kala bhairava is mentioned as Tribhuvana vidanga-Kshetrapala Pillaiyar. Ashtadik balakas panel is on the Kala Bhairava Sannidhi navrang mandapam.
There are about 40 inscriptions and most of them belongs to Tamil
Gangas and balance belongs to early Vijayanagar period. Behind
Mahisasuramardini’s back side projecting rock has the 1024 AD Rajendra Chozha
period inscription. Kulothunga Chozha –I, 1071 AD inscriptions are found on the
back wall of Kala Bhairava Temple. The
oldest inscription belongs to Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana. One of the 14th century
inscription speaks about offering the finger to god Kala Bhairava.
The legend of offering forefinger goes like this. The legend
is associated with the story of demon Bhasmasura. Demon Bhasmasura received a boon from Lord Shiva that whoever he
touches they should reduced to ash. After getting the boon the demon wants to
test on Lord Shiva who gave the boon. Fearing Bhasmasura, Shiva hide in this
hill cave, When the demon asked a Morasu Wokkalu tribe farmer ( These people are from Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu, came in carts and settled here. They are latter called as Wodeyars and the founder of Bengaluru city was founded by KempeGowda belongs to Morasu Wokkalu Community ), he pointed this hill with his
fore finger. In the mean time Lord Vishnu took the mohini avatar and killed
the demon, making him to touch his own head in the process of dance. The demon
Bhasmasura reduced to ashes in the hill. Hence this hill was called as
Bhasmasura betta.
From then
on wards the Morasu Wokalu tribes used to offer their fore finger. If the
family do not have male, female member offered 2 finger. This practice was
continued till, 1876s, and the practice was banned by the Government. ( This was recorded by Sri Narasimhachariar of ASI, after Visit to this Sitti hill in 1906 CE ) Now
instead of offering forefinger, finger will be wounded with flower and the same
will be cut and offered to God. In addition to this finger the devotees has to
offer money and rice, which will be divided in to certain proportions between, Archaks,
Shanbag, Patel, Goldsmith, Barber. A 14th century inscription clearly mentions the
division of proportions of the rice offered, among goldsmith and others.
It was told that during rain, water will be absorbed by the hill Bhasmasura opposite to Sitti Betta.
It was told that during rain, water will be absorbed by the hill Bhasmasura opposite to Sitti Betta.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will get opened between 06.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs.
HOW TO REACH:
Mallur 24 Km, Orati Agrahara 9 KM and Yeliyur 28 KM
LOCATION: GPS Co-ordination
Sripatishwara
Kala bhairava
Mahishasura Mardini- Chozha inscriptions on the back rock
Nolamba Pillars
Ashtadikpalakas
Ashtadikpalakas
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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