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Shiva Ganga - The place with amazing facts and wonder, which are still witnessed also experienced.
So much to say about this place, its been one of the memorable trip i ever had. A tailor made place for mountaineering and exploring. One after other we come across so many wonders and hidden facts of that place. We had rested at a small shop selling butter milk n lime juices on the hill, an old man living at that place for more than 50 yrs provided us with details of the interesting facts of that place.
If travelling from Bangalore then Shivganga is about 50 km, just 20 km ahead of Tumkur near Dabaspet. Its about 8+Kms from Dabaspet on the way to Tumkur from Bangalore on NH 4. Its about an hours drive in the morning. It’s a steep mountain and has two Shiva temples, one close to the foot of the hill and another possibly around 5 km uphill! Lord Shiva is known as “Gangadhareshwara”, and his consort “Swarnambha”.
Coming to views , the place has sooper, breathtaking views from high altitudes, the views of the surrounding city, the nearby `pushkarini’ or pond, looks jhinchak from the top of the hill. The first part of the trek which is about 10% - 20% would get us to the first temple. The next part to the top is very steep and tiring. We were too tired and had stopped for having butter milk at old man shop. The thirst was so much had gulped nearly 15 medium size glasses of butter milk in 20 minutes. Within that time had a chat with the old man and came to know many importances n facts of that place. Then started climbing futher n when about to reach the top, we were attacked by monkeys. Need to be very careful at the top, monkeys just dont let you pass unless searched thoroughly. They even check the pockets and bags that are carried. Our bag was robbed and torn by a gang of them. Finally when nothing was found they dumped it on a rock.
Now for some of the Amazing Facts of the place:
1. Ghee changing to Butter on Shiva-Lingam-
We all have heard n might have seen butter becoming ghee on heating continously for long time. Just before entering the temple, there are some stall where they sell ghee in tiny cans. When asked they said to give it to the priest. We 4 of us took a can and gave it to the priest, he took it and emptied the can onto a leaf, put it on the shiv linga (idol) and rubbed for few minutes. After pooja, he gave back the leaf to us we saw that the ghee has changed to butter, the lingam was so cold.. We all just stood staring at the leaf in our hands not able to believe wat we r seeing.
2. Unique Lingam - not connected n gap in between.
When seen from a distance the lingam looks like no different but its been said that the lingam is not connected and its suspended on its own. I mean the lingam we see 
will be like the image here. The head of lingam of the one within temple is not linked to its surroundings, there is a gap of about 2cm around it. We were informed that once the British after knowing this, tried to test how long is the head of lingam. They brought 3 carts (One big truck) load of thread and let it go down thru the hole by tying to some weight. The entire thread was over yet the end was not reached.
3. Secret passage (Suranga maarga) -
Within the temple there is a secret passage, at corner a hole is known to be the entrance of it. When we peeped into it, it was full of darkness and cold air was blowing.. Its known that the passage leads to 4 other openings in bangalore, one of them in K.R. market (city market). Many have tried to discover the passage route but none have returned from it so far.. Local people say the passage works only for Sri Kempegowda, the king then. He was a yogi (holy spirit), and the passage would open n close on its own. The passage would itself guide him the way to his destination. oooooohhhh... still not able to believe it, hmmm some "open sesame" kinda stuff kya???
4. Water within a hole in a rock (Volakalu theertha) -
On further climbing the hill a small temple will be found and within that we have the Volakalu Theertha. Its a rock in shape of grinding stone of yesteryeards, with a hole in it. When we place our hand in it, its said that we get water in it if the person is good else however tried we wont be getting water. I happen to see a man of 6.2 ft height trying to get water by putting his whole hand, yet he cudnt get any water. His son a kid of abt 9 yrs old, got water as soon as his hand was kept in hole. I was bit lucky to get some water :D.. There have been many scientific explanations given for it.. There seems to be a big lake within the rocks and there are waves flowing which splash the water, when the wave r on high at same moment if hand is placed we get water.. this sound logical not sure how true it is.
5. Various ways the mountain is viewed-
This famous hilltop pilgrim center when viewed from a distance, the outline of the hill resembles the figure of a bull (Nandi) on the east, that of Ganesha (the elephant-headed God) from the west, that of a Cobra on the north and that of a Sivalinga on the south. Shivaganga is also known as Dakshina Kasi, or the Varanasi of the South. Its height is 4.599 feet on which Shivaganga is perched. Shivaganga gets its name from Shiva and ganga ( the water found here is supposed to be holy Ganga from Kashi). The temple is on the top of the the hill (rock). A statue of Nandi is present on the topmost point of the hill. I was able to see 2 of its views and they did resemble as a bull from east and as shivalinga from south.
MORE ATTRACTIONS:
1. Descent of Ganga -
This spot comes in between the hill where there is bit of flat area. There is a small opening, peep into it, we find a lake, saying is that its the water of river Ganga.. Was very very thirsty when reached this point, had a sip of water, IT WAS SWEET. probably my thirst was reason, not sure, but water was very good, when filled in bottle, water was crystal clear. Hmmm now continue of saying.. Ganga had decented on the hill to help complete the rituals during the wedding of Shiva kalyana ustavam (not at all sure how true it is, a myth pakka). I happen to see some newly wed couples performing some pooja / rituals there.
2. Shanthala suicide point -
About this, the name says it all. Queen Shanthala committed suicide, didnt get to know why. This too is at top of hill, there is nothing much but breathtaking or chakkar aane ki view hai. Bachke rehna, Hushaaruuuuu....
3. Nandi at the tip of hill -
This Nandi at the hill top puzzled me on thinking who and how did they do this? its on the tip of hill, there is hardly any space around left even to go round the bull. this is the highest point of the hill.
Till date I have been cursing myself for not carrying camera and capturing those wonders, views and our memories. Sorry for not uploading any photos, will upload if I get from any other source.
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