Kaivara is a divine place with many temples in the area. The hills and greenery surrounding the place make it more attractive. Visiting this place gives great pleasure to both pilgrims and trekking enthusiasts. The town is associated with all the previous yugas in different ways.

About Kaivara

Kaivara is a small town located near Bengaluru, which has a huge historical association. It’s a beautiful place with mountains and greenery all around. The town was known as Ekachakranagara in Dwapara Yuga, as was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. It is believed to be the same place where the famous fight between Bhima and Bakasura had taken place.

Kaivara is also associated with Treta Yuga, where Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita visited the Amaranarayana temple during their exile. As Sita felt thirsty, Lakshmana shot an arrow on a nearby rock to get water.

Kaivara became more famous because of Saint Narayanappa, who was a poet and philosopher. He meditated in a cave in Kaivara and attained supreme spiritual enlightenment.

Kaivara Tatayya Temple or Yogi Nareyana Mutt

Yogi Narayana Mutt is a beautiful temple dedicated to a famous saint Yogi Naraeyana Yathindra (or Saint Narayanappa). The inner sanctum of the temple is the Jeeva Samadhi of the saint. The saint thataiya left his mortal body in this place.

The entire campus is built in a structural format with good architecture. It is a beautiful place with a peaceful environment.

Significance of Tataiya Temple

• The devotional songs composed by Tataiya are sung daily in the temple premises.
• The ashram conducts nitya annadana program, where hundreds of visitors are served 3 times food daily.
• Every day, go pooja is conducted early in the morning.
• There are five wedding halls located on the premises and many marriages have been conducted here.
• The rooms are available at the mutt for a stay in the range of Rs. 250 to Rs. 500.

Kaivara Tataiya Temple Timings

• :25 AM - Ghantanadham
• 5:50 AM - Gopooja
• 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Temple Darshan
• 8:30 AM - Abhishekam and Ashtavadhana Seva
• 11:00 AM - Utsava
• 12:30 AM - Mahamangalarathi
• 7:30 PM - Mahamangalarathi

Kaivara Temple Contact Number - 9945337398

Who is Kaivara Tatayya

Saint Narayanappa was a bilingual poet who composed poems in praise of Amaranarayana Swamy (Lord Vishnu) in Kannada and Telugu. He was fondly called ‘Kaivara Thatayya’ by everyone. He lived for 110 years (1730 to 1840). He was a bangle seller by profession before renouncing the material life. However, he was interested in spirituality from his childhood itself. He used to meditate in a cave and attained spiritual enlightenment.

Kaivara Thatayya was known as a kalagnani - one who predicts the events of the future. He has written many prophecies in the form of poems. He has written many songs in praise of Lord Narayana. His main works include ‘Amaranarayana Shathaka’, ‘Brahmananda Shataka, ‘Kalagnana’ and ‘Brahmanandapuri’. In Brahmanandapuri Shataka, he has written all the nuances of yoga in detail. He is believed to have performed many miracles in his lifetime.

Amara Narayana Temple

Amaranarayana temple is located very close to Yogi Nareyana Mutt. Lord Vishnu is in the form of Amaranarayana Swamy in this temple. It is an ancient temple believed to be established by Lord Indra. The current temple structure is built by Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in the Hoysala architecture.

There are also idols of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita in the temple as they had visited this place during their exile.

Bhima Lingeshwara Temple

Bhimalingeshwara temple is located around 500 meters away from Amaranarayana temple in Kaivara. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and established by the Pandava brother Bhima. Hence the name Bhimalingeshwar. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Lingam.

• Legend Behind the Bhima Lingeshwara Temple

  According to the epic Mahabharata, in the chapter of Lakshagriha (wax structure burning episode), Duryodhana conspired to kill the Pandavas by burning the palace made out of lacquer. However, Pandavas along with their mother Kunti escaped through the tunnel and stayed in this place for a brief period. This place was called Ekachakranagar in those days. There was a demon named Bakasura, who used to trouble people of this place. Bhima killed the demon and established peace in the region. It is believed that Bhima installed the Shivalinga to get rid of the sin committed by killing Bakasura.

  Within the temple premises, there are also small shrines for the shivalingas installed by other Pandava brothers. These shrines are named with respective Pandavas - Dharmaraya Lingeshwara, Arjuna Lingeshwara, Nakula Lingeshwara, and Sahadeva LIngeshwara.

  The Bhimalingeshwara temple is built by Hoysala kings. The main temple\s pillars and walls are adorned with beautiful carvings of Gods and Goddesses.

  The temple is open from 7:00 AM to 1:30 PM and again in the evening from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Bheema Bakasura Betta

Apart from all the temples, Kaivara also offers a great trekking spot, especially for youngsters. There is a hillock called Kaivara Betta or Bhima-Bakasura Betta, In Dwapara Yuga, Bhima is said to have killed the demon Bakasura and hence the name. The fight between Bhima and Bakasura had taken place in these hillocks. Finally, Bhima killed the demon and pushed him into a cave, and closed the entrance with a large boulder.

Although it is a steep hill, climbing to the top is not very difficult because of the easy stone steps. There are about 650-700 steps to climb. These stone steps cover almost 80% of the hike, and the last 20% of the climb is bit strenuous. Beginners and aged people may find difficulty in climbing. The climb with a zig-zag trail with plenty of lush green bushes and breathtaking views makes it more exciting. And, at the top of the mountain, you will feel a sense of fulfillment.

Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple (Meditation Cave)

This cave temple is dedicated to Narasimha Swamy located on a small hill called ‘Vaikuntha’. The temple is located in the midst of mesmerizing environment with hills and forest. Kaivara Thataiya meditated in this cave for three years before attaining spiritual enlightenment.

Adjacent to the temple is a prayer hall and a museum with idols of Gods and Gurus. There is also a yagashala, where fire-based rituals and poojas are conducted. There are four pillars in front of the temple with idols of Shankaracharya, Madhwacharya, Ramanujacharya, and Veda Vyasa. This temple is located at a distance of 1 km from Kaivara temple.

Kailasagiri Cave Temple

Kailasagiri temple is a man-made cave temple located at the base of a huge rock hill. The caves are made by drilling the rock. There is a huge space inside the cave. The size of the rock and the effort to make the cave is really impressive. Inside the caves, there are small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha. As per the priest of the temple, massive development of the temple is going to happen in the future.

At the base of the Kailasagiri temple, free food is served for the devotees in the afternoon. It is located at a distance of 7 km from the main Kaivara temple.

Lakshmi Venkateshwara Temple

Lakshmi Venkateshwara temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, is located in the town of Alamgiri at a distance of 10 km from Kaivara temple. It is an ancient temple with beautiful architecture. The sanctum of the temple houses a magnificent statue of Lord Venkateshwara. It was built by Krishnadevaraya during the reign of the Vijayanagara empire.

How to reach Kaivara

Kaivara is located at a distance of 65 km from Bangalore. Chintamanii is the nearest city to Kaivara. There are frequent buses from the Bangalore bus stand towards Chintamani. You have to get down at Kaivara cross. You can hire an auto-rickshaw to reach Kaivara town, which is located at a distance of 3 km from Kaivara cross. Alternately, you can hire a cab/taxi from Bangalore.