Friday, September 7, 2018

Sri Ramalingeswara Cave Temple, Hulimavu, near Begur, Karnataka.

22nd August 2018.
After visiting Sri Panchalingeshwara Swamy Temple at Begur, when we asked for a Cave with  Jain statues. The people guided us to the Cave Sri Ramalingeswara Temple at Hulimavu. The Natural cave will be around 60 feet wide and its height will be about 7 feet (approximately an acre area). The floors have been finished with granite. Sannadhis for Shiva and his consort. On the right side sannadhi for Ram, Lakshman Sita Hanuman, and Garuda. Metal Urchavars for Shiva, Parvati, Vinayagar, Rajarajeswari, and Nandhi are in front of Lord Shiva. The Ramananda Swamiji's Samadhi and meditation hall are also inside the cave. Nagars are under a tree. There is a stucco tower above the entrance of the cave, The entrance tower was constructed in 1988.


Activities like pooja, functions, and celebrations are under the control of Bala Gangadhara Swamy Mutt. It was told that Saint Sri Ramananda Swamiji did dabas in this cave temple and attained samadhi. The single rock Cave is more than 2000 years old and the temple has existed for the past 400 years, founded by Sri Balagangadhara Swamiji.  
   

Is there any possibility that this cave had a connection with Jainism…?
It was told there are a few abandoned Tirthankara statues (https://lakshmisharath.com/begur-which-gives-bangalore-a-piece-of-its-history/) in and around the Begur and Hulimavu area. As a wild guess, why cannot the cave be used as a shelter by the Jain monks as a worship place? To support this, it was told that an inscription found near the fort speaks that Tondabbe, the daughter of Nagattara - the Chief of Begur (then known as Vepura) in the late tenth century, died performing the Jain ritual of Sallekhana (Fast unto Death). with these strong evidences, we may presume that Jainism flourished once in these places. During the Jain with  Vaishnava & Saiva conflicts the Jain cave might have been evacuated. Readers may throw some light on this angle. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between 08.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:
The Mobile numbers may be contacted for more Details: 9900298142 or 8904250504.

HOW TO REACH:
This cave temple is very near to  BGS National Public School, Near Hulimavu Lake.
Pal Layout, Bannerghatta road, Hulimavu, Bangalore 76.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE



---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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