Karighatta Srinivasa Temple Srirangapattana Tourism Mandya Tourism Temples of Karnataka Tourism 

Karighatta Srinivasa Temple Srirangapattana Tourism Mandya Tourism Temples of Karnataka Tourism
Karighatta is a hill situated a few kilometres outside the 'island' town of Srirangapatna. It is situated off the Bangalore-Mysore Highway just before Srirangapatna in Karnataka state of India.
The name Karighatta translates to "Elephant Hill" in Kannada. The hill has a Hindu temple devoted to a form of Hindu god Vishnu, called "Karigirivasa". This deity is also referred to as “Lord Srinivasa” and is also called “BairagiVenkataramana”. The epithet ‘Bairagi’ for this idol is derived from the fact that when ‘alankara’ (flower decoration) is done to the deity, the deity looks like a Bairagi (mendicant).
The hill stands at a height of 2697 feet above sea level.
The main entrance to the temple, with huge wooden doors opens into a large quadrangle, which is the main shrine for Vaikunta Srinivasa in black stone, flanked by Yoga Srinivasa (without his consort) and Bhoga Srinivasa idols. The temple of Goddess Padmavathi is on the western side. Facing the main temple is a statue of Garuda and a Garudasthamba. There is also a KalyanaMantapa (marriage hall) which is used for performing marriages and other functions. It is believed that the great sage Bhrigu has done the Prathishthapana (installation ceremony) of the deity.
The hill may be climbed by stone steps (450 in number). The hillock has a superb panoramic view of Srirangapatna and Mysore. The beautiful landscape around the hill and the confluence of the Kaveri and Lokapavani rivers can be seen from atop the hill.
It is said that the hill got its name after a wild elephant, Kari attacked and killed four girls taking bath. To bring them back to life Sage Kutsamuni undertook a rigorous penance and requested the Lord to save His devotees. Another legend has it that during the building of the bridge to Lanka to bring back Sita, Sugreeva brought this hillock, also called ‘Neelachala’ from Tirumala (Thirupathi). On his way several Vishnubhakhtas (disciples of Lord Vishnu) pleaded with him to leave it here and so the hill remained here.
At the temple premises, there are sharp grasses, Eragrostiscynosuroides locally known as Dharbehullu(grass) in Kannada, which is used for performing all sacred rites.In "VarahaPurana" it is said that when Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Varaha and shook his body some of the body hair fell on the ground near here the grass now seen here is believed to have come from his hair.
Legend has it that it was on this hill that the British had placed their cannons during the siege of Srirangapatnam.
Karighatta Temple is connected by different modes of transport. Buses are available from Srirangapatna and other neighboring towns. After reaching Mysore it may not be difficult to reach this hill. But you must carry water, food and other requirements for use. No accommodation. You can just visit the temple enjoy the nature’s beauty for few hours and return.
The legend goes back to Treta-yuga, during the reign of Lord Ramachandra.
Lord Ramachandra was constructing a bridge to Lanka in order to save mother Sita. To build the bridge, the entire monkey army was searching for stones and boulders. The powerful monkeys were bringing hills for the construction. Sugriva, the king of monkeys was also in search of such a hill. While searching, he came across the seven sacred hills of Tirumala and uprooted the Nilachala hill of Sheshachala mountain range.
While carrying this sacred hill, he passed over the holy confluence of the Kaveri River. The devotees of Lord Vishnu who were performing penances at this place, saw that he was carrying Nilachala. They immediately stopped him and requested him not to take the Mountain for the purpose of construction. They narrated to him the greatness of this sacred hill. Hearing the glories of Sheshachala, Sugriva left the Hill at this place itself and continued to search for the other hill. This same hill is now known as Karighatta. ‘Kari’ meaning blackish.
Sage Bodhaya performed severe penances here and achieved qualification to author the Bodhaya dharma-sutras. During the UttaraPhalgunaNakshatra in KumbhaMasa of 24th Tretayuga, Sage Vaikhanasa performed the first chariot festival for Lord Srinivasa. Since then this festival is celebrated to this date.
Google map link goo.gl/maps/u9gRDxnyRQtFPQf39
Karighatta trek video link : • Karighatta Fort trekki...
Madan Rao Guide channel link:
/ @madanraoguide1624