Avani, Kolar – Gaya of South India

Posted by Photomithra(Srinivasa S) on Dec 6, 2013 | 4 comments

Avani, Kolar – A slice of mythology and architecture, Gaya of South India

Avani is a small village situated about 30 kms from Kolar, Karnataka (Map link). It is known for the Sita temple atop a boulder-ed hillock, but is not a place frequented by tourists. This makes it a nice offbeat location, close to Bangalore, ideal for a day outing. Those who are interested in exploring a historical place seeped in mythology and architecture will not be disappointed.

Avani is also known as the “Gaya of south India” and has a big temple complex with ancient temples of “Ramalingeshwara”,”Lakshmanalingeshwara”, “Bharatalingeshwara” and “Shatrughnalingeshwara”, dating back to the period of the Nolambas and Cholas. Local mythology has it that Sita gave birth to Lava and Kusha in this region. Also, its said that Sita eventually entered mother earth as she was said to be the daughter of mother earth.

The temple complex is well maintained and is one of the protected monuments under Archeological Survey of India. There are boards containing information at each of the temples within the complex. Here are a few images from the temple complex.

First sight within the Avani temple complex

Ramalingeshwara temple viewed from the Kalyana mantapa opposite to it

Corridor between temples within the temple complex

A little further down the road from the temple, you’ll come across a Sringeri matha. Further down is the path to climb the hillock that takes you to the Sita temple. The initial look at the hillock looks imposing and daunting, but the path is rough-paved with rock-cut steps and at places is marked with helpful direction marks. Along the way, one can see stacks of rocks clumped together in places. There is a belief that unmarried women wishing for a good husband, married women wishing for a baby, if they make a stack of rocks for worship, their wishes come true. At the top of the hillock is the Sita temple. Here are a few images from the climb I did.

Base of the Avani hillock

Rough paved paths with helpful directions

Lots of stone stacks

Dhanushkoti pond en-route to the Sita temple

Sita temple atop the hillock